Nearly half of eligible voters in Antigua and Barbuda have yet to renew their voter identification cards, according to the latest data released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), raising concerns about preparedness ahead of the next general election.
The commission’s March 2026 report shows that just over 23,000 voter ID card transactions have been recorded since the start of the renewal exercise, against an estimated 40,000 cards requiring replacement. This suggests that tens of thousands of voters remain without updated identification.
The figures indicate uneven progress across constituencies. St. Peter leads the process with 81 percent completion, while Barbuda has reached 73 percent. St. Philip North, where a recent by-election was held, stands at 72 percent.
However, most constituencies remain below the halfway mark. Urban and rural districts in St. John’s are largely clustered between 42 and 46 percent completion, including St. John’s City West (44 percent), City East (42 percent), and Rural East (44 percent). St. Mary’s North records one of the lowest rates at 40 percent.
The data also show that March saw a sharp increase in applications, with more than 4,000 processed during the month alone. Activity peaked in the period between March 23 and 28, when over 2,200 applications were recorded, suggesting a late surge in voter turnout for the renewal process.
Despite the recent uptick, the overall pace indicates that a significant portion of the electorate has yet to comply with the requirement to replace expired cards.
The renewal exercise is considered critical to ensuring voter eligibility, as individuals without valid identification may face challenges participating in upcoming elections.
With an election widely expected in the coming months, the figures are likely to intensify calls for increased public outreach and faster processing to avoid disenfranchisement.
ABEC has not indicated whether any deadline extensions will be granted, but the data underscore the urgency for remaining voters to complete the process.
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Come on folks, everyone must register to vote and rid ourselves of self-enrichment; inducements; double-speak, and the prospect of a march towards an autocratic state.
BREAK UP THE 50-YEAR-OLD BIRD-BROWNE DYNASTY NOW. PEOPLE FED-UP…
Remember, the UPP yellow 🟨 makes us mellow
Mine has not been renewed yet and im in no rush don’t even know if im voting this election
I have voted in every election for the past 30 years but I am just not interested this time around and so have not bothered to renew my card. I cannot vote for ABLP and Pringle is just not Prime Ministerial material so I will stay out of it this time around.
Brix it’s not that people do not want to register. The waiting is very long , except for constituencies that recently held elections or by/elections. I am totally against this snap election for a number of reasons. That we gave this administration a 5 years long mandate. With years left in their term, it is a poor decision to call an election now.
I believe that the UPP will win this election hands down. However, the calling of the election now has but tremendous strain on employers , employers, the voting public , the government financing, the treasury, PWD and more the electoral commission.
We have voters that will be disenfranchised- meaning their cards are up and they might not get a replacement.
Jamale Pringle polling 15 percent / Harold Lovell polling 5 percent / Hon.Gaston Browne polling is 59 percent. Both Jamale Pringle and Harold Lovell DON”T add up to half Hon. Gaston Browne.
How can UPP enter a general election with both Their Leaders DISMAL POLLING.
VOTE ABLP.
ABLP 17 SEATS.
Mr. Knight , ANN McDONALD does Not bring anything to your show. She behaves like She is in love with the Guests. Asking STUPID questions, Get Her off the KNIGHTS @ NIGHT.
Brix it’s not that people do not want to register. The waiting is very long , except for constituencies that recently held elections or by/elections. I am totally against this snap election for a number of reasons. That we gave this administration a 5 years long mandate. With years left in their term, it is a poor decision to call an election now.
I believe that the UPP will win this election hands down. However, the calling of the election now has but tremendous strain on employers , employers, the voting public , the government financing, the treasury, PWD and more the electoral commission.
We have voters that will be disenfranchised- meaning their cards are up and they might not get a replacement.
Correction- I believe that UPP is going to lose this election. APLP is going to win it hands down. Catching them with their pants down after 4 years is ok. Not with so many years left in your mandate.
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