{"id":275197,"date":"2026-05-03T09:26:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T13:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=275197"},"modified":"2026-05-03T11:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T15:03:58","slug":"oas-calls-for-electoral-reform-in-antigua-and-barbuda-after-2026-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/oas-calls-for-electoral-reform-in-antigua-and-barbuda-after-2026-vote\/","title":{"rendered":"OAS Calls for Electoral Reform in Antigua and Barbuda After 2026 Vote"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Organization of American States (OAS) has urged sweeping reforms to Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s electoral system, pointing to gaps in voter registration procedures, campaign finance transparency, and gender representation following the April 30 general elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its post-election assessment, the OAS Electoral Observation Mission identified multiple areas for improvement, despite praising the overall conduct of the polls as credible and well-managed.<\/p>

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Voter registry and boundary imbalances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Mission highlighted weaknesses in the voter registration framework, noting the absence of formal systems to remove deceased individuals or those who have left the country for extended periods.<\/p>

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It recommended establishing data-sharing mechanisms between institutions and introducing a unique national identifier<\/strong> to improve the accuracy of the electoral roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significant disparities in constituency sizes were also flagged. Registered voters ranged from 1,263 in St. Philip South to 5,997 in St. George<\/strong>, raising concerns about unequal vote weight across constituencies.<\/p>

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The OAS said boundary adjustments have been delayed due to outdated census data, with the last completed census conducted in 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology and results reporting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the Mission praised the real-time publication of election results online, it noted that the broader tabulation system remains largely manual.<\/p>

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Recommendations included creating a central computerized results system<\/strong> and publishing scanned Statements of Polls to improve transparency and public verification.<\/p>

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Campaign finance transparency gaps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The report raised concerns about the limited scope of campaign finance rules, which currently apply only during the formal election period\u2014from the issuance of the writ to its return, typically less than one month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mission warned that this narrow timeframe excludes much of the political cycle, allowing significant fundraising and spending to occur outside reporting requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also noted that financial disclosures focus mainly on contributions, with little information on expenditures, reducing transparency for voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OAS recommended stronger laws, including spending limits, broader reporting requirements, and enhanced oversight by ABEC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n