A Commonwealth Observer Group has recommended that Antigua and Barbuda amend its Constitution to formally establish and protect the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), a move the group argues would strengthen the independence and credibility of the country's electoral system.
According to Antigua News Room, the recommendation is among a series of reforms outlined in the group's final report on the April 30, 2026 general election.
"The Constitution be amended to establish the Electoral Commission, including its composition and functions," the report stated. It further recommended that statutory powers be granted to enable the commission to fully carry out its mandate.
The observers noted that Antigua and Barbuda's legal and regulatory framework generally provides an adequate basis for democratic elections, but identified several areas requiring reform. These include the independence of election administration, campaign finance oversight and constituency boundary reviews.
The Commonwealth team found that the 2026 general election was conducted in a peaceful, orderly and transparent manner. Polling procedures were generally followed, and election officials carried out their duties professionally.
However, the report noted that strengthening the institutional foundation of election management would help safeguard public confidence in future elections. Entrenching ABEC in the Constitution would place its existence, powers and responsibilities on firmer legal footing and bring the body more closely in line with international electoral best practices.
The recommendation was directed to Parliament, which would bear responsibility for any constitutional amendment required to formally establish the commission and define its functions.
The report forms part of a broader set of recommendations aimed at deepening democracy and strengthening electoral institutions in Antigua and Barbuda in the wake of the 2026 general election.
