{"id":274656,"date":"2026-04-30T01:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T05:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=274656"},"modified":"2026-04-29T22:13:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T02:13:58","slug":"abec-chairman-calls-for-order-respect-and-preparedness-as-antigua-votes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abec-chairman-calls-for-order-respect-and-preparedness-as-antigua-votes\/","title":{"rendered":"ABEC Chairman Calls for Order, Respect and Preparedness as Antigua Votes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ABEC Chairman Calls for Order, Respect and Preparedness as Antigua Votes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As voters head to the polls on Thursday, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, Arthur G.B. Thomas, has issued a firm reminder that strict rules governing identification, conduct, and neutrality must be observed to ensure a credible election.<\/p>

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In a message delivered ahead of polling day, Thomas described the election as a critical moment in the country\u2019s democratic life and stressed that participation must be matched by responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGeneral elections will be held on April 30th, and your participation is both your right and your responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>

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At the center of his warning was the requirement for valid voter identification, making clear that no exceptions will be allowed.<\/p>

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\u201cLet me be clear. No elector can be permitted to vote without a valid voter identification card,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commission, he noted, had extended hours, increased staffing, and deployed all available resources in the lead-up to election day to facilitate voter ID replacements, placing the responsibility squarely on electors to ensure they are eligible to vote.<\/p>

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\u201cThe opportunity has been provided. The responsibility now rests with you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas also issued a strong appeal for order and discipline at polling stations across the country, urging voters to respect the process, political opponents, election officials, and security personnel.<\/p>

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\u201cOrder and compliance and mutual respect are not optional; they are essential to the credibility of the outcome,\u201d he stated.<\/p>

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He further reminded political parties of their obligation to remove campaign paraphernalia from polling divisions, warning that the voting environment must remain free of influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe polling environment must remain neutral, orderly, and free from undue influence,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As polling gets underway across Antigua and Barbuda, the ABEC chairman called on all citizens to uphold the country\u2019s democratic traditions by participating peacefully and lawfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cParticipate responsibly. Peacefully and lawfully,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commission has emphasized that adherence to these rules will be key to maintaining confidence in the electoral process as the nation votes to determine its next government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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