The Organization of American States (OAS) has urged sweeping reforms to Antigua and Barbuda’s electoral system, pointing to gaps in voter registration procedures, campaign finance transparency, and gender representation following the April 30 general elections.
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.
Voter registry and boundary imbalances
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.
It recommended establishing data-sharing mechanisms between institutions and introducing a unique national identifier to improve the accuracy of the electoral roll.
Significant disparities in constituency sizes were also flagged. Registered voters ranged from 1,263 in St. Philip South to 5,997 in St. George, raising concerns about unequal vote weight across constituencies.
The OAS said boundary adjustments have been delayed due to outdated census data, with the last completed census conducted in 2011.
Technology and results reporting
While the Mission praised the real-time publication of election results online, it noted that the broader tabulation system remains largely manual.
Recommendations included creating a central computerized results system and publishing scanned Statements of Polls to improve transparency and public verification.
Campaign finance transparency gaps
The report raised concerns about the limited scope of campaign finance rules, which currently apply only during the formal election period—from the issuance of the writ to its return, typically less than one month.
The Mission warned that this narrow timeframe excludes much of the political cycle, allowing significant fundraising and spending to occur outside reporting requirements.
It also noted that financial disclosures focus mainly on contributions, with little information on expenditures, reducing transparency for voters.
The OAS recommended stronger laws, including spending limits, broader reporting requirements, and enhanced oversight by ABEC.
Legal framework and election petitions
The Representation of the People Act (ROPA), first enacted in 1975, was described as fragmented due to multiple amendments without full consolidation.
The Mission called for a comprehensive revision to improve clarity and accessibility of electoral laws.
It also raised concerns about the seven-day deadline for filing election petitions, suggesting it may be too short, and noted the absence of timelines for resolving disputes, which can lead to prolonged uncertainty.
Women underrepresented despite strong participation
Although women made up 54.31% of registered voters and played a major role as election workers, their representation among candidates declined.
Only 5 of 37 candidates (13.51%) were women, down from 20.75% in 2023.
Just two women were elected to Parliament, accounting for 11.7% of seats.
The OAS cited structural barriers such as limited access to financing, male-dominated party systems, and societal biases, and called for targeted measures including training programs, mentorship, and possible affirmative action policies.
Call for comprehensive reform
The Mission concluded that while Antigua and Barbuda’s elections were credible, meaningful reforms are needed to modernize the system, enhance fairness, and strengthen public confidence.
It urged authorities, political parties, and civil society to collaborate on implementing changes ahead of future electoral cycles.
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Anything to do with America needs to stay silent when it comes to global elections. Mind you, they make some vaild points, but let another group weigh in. Let’s hear from the Commonwealth observers.