Ambassador Arthur G. B. Thomas, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), recently participated in the XVIII Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities (RAE), hosted by the Organization of American States (OAS).
This high-level forum brought together electoral authorities from across the hemisphere to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacities, and address shared challenges to democratic governance.
The meeting featured panel discussions and workshops on key issues shaping electoral management today, including:
- Overcoming voter abstention and reconnecting citizens with the democratic process;
- Digital democracy, with a focus on the opportunities and risks posed by artificial intelligence in elections;
- Safeguarding electoral authorities from attacks and delegitimization campaigns;
- Protecting voters and candidates in insecure contexts to ensure electoral rights are preserved even under difficult circumstances.
A keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and one of the world’s leading scholars on democracy.
Chairman Thomas emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda, like many countries in the region, must remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of its democratic processes while adopting innovative strategies to increase voter participation. He noted that ABEC’s initiatives in public education, youth engagement, and technological preparedness align closely with the broader regional agenda discussed at the RAE.
“The discussions at this forum underscore the importance of collaboration among electoral bodies in the Americas,” Thomas stated. “Strengthening democracy requires that we address voter apathy, counter disinformation, and ensure that our electoral institutions are resilient, impartial, and trusted by the people.”
The RAE also included a practical workshop on conflict management in electoral processes, equipping electoral authorities with tools to anticipate and navigate political tensions while safeguarding institutional legitimacy.
ABEC’s participation in the XVIII RAE reaffirms Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral processes, while contributing meaningfully to the regional dialogue on democracy and good governance.
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