Prime Minister Gaston Browne has voiced a strong preference for the revalidation of voters’ registration cards over a complete re-registration process, citing concerns about potential disenfranchisement of citizens, especially those residing overseas.
During a dialogue that covered several aspects of electoral reforms, Prime Minister Browne elaborated on the government’s stance, which is aligned with the initial recommendation from the Electoral Commission.
The commission had advised that revalidating existing voter registration cards would be a cheaper and simpler solution compared to the lengthy and costly process of re-registration.
“The party has met with the commission and we have expressed our preference for revalidation rather than pursuing a process that could potentially disenfranchise anyone,” Prime Minister Browne stated.
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He underscored the importance of ensuring that the electoral process remains inclusive, especially for Antiguans and Barbudans living in the diaspora and students abroad who might find it difficult to comply with the requirements of a full re-registration.
The discussion also touched upon concerns raised by some within the United Progressive Party (UPP), who advocate for a complete re-registration.
However, the Prime Minister cautioned that such a move could exclude a significant number of eligible voters who are unable to return home to re-register within the stipulated time frame.
Revalidation, according to Browne, would allow for a systematic review of the voter rolls while minimizing disruption and ensuring that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral process.
“This method will enable us to challenge and correct any discrepancies during the revalidation process without imposing undue burdens on our citizens,” he added.
Prime Minister Browne emphasized that legislative measures would be pursued to formalize this process, moving away from the practice of decennial re-registration which is not mandated by law.
Click the video below to listen to the PM’s full statement:
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I believe that once a citizen is registered to vote, tou dont need to register again as long as you still alive!
Agreed
@luis mota,the problem i$$$$ money to be spend and some shady hands will make their cut,simple.
Who cares what the hell this idiot thinks. This has nothing to do with him or ALP. The law is there. Continously registration and re-registration every 10 years.
Now we see why Arthur Thomas was put there.
Who makes laws and who can make amendments to laws? And you asked “who cares what the hell this idiot thinks”? A government who holds the majority in Parliament. Madness.
THE LAW SAYS!!! It does not matter what the PM feels, all must follow the law. The reason for these seemingly restrictive requirements is because of ABLP relentless attacks on it. Remember something like, “We moved people out to help others”. This is just one and we have not even addressed the “Hamnesties” and the never ending open door policy.
So, as an Antiguan, this is perhaps the only thing that we have to keep some kind of check on the voting process and not let it degenerate to what is was before: under ABLP of course.
@Zackie please site the law and section that says we must have full registration before the next election. I have searched the Representation of the people act 2002, which established ABEC and can find no such rule. In the very article its made clear that doing it every ten years has been a practice but there is no legal requirement
Don’t make me laugh @ tenman.
Here you are asking for some sort of response or reply, when I’ve lost count of the times commentators on ANR have asked you for simiklar facts, figures and replies on a raft of issues and you haven’t responded in kind.
YOU ABSOLUTE HYPOCRITE …
Reverse psychology at work and people falling for it!!!! World boss smart!!
@Carva, remember. They hold a majority by a thread. They lost the popular vote. As @Zakie pointed out, all kinds of illegalities took place last election that was challenged. But Alas, the DPP saw it fit to abdicate her duties. For that alone she should be removed.
@Watching, clearly you don’t understand the terms you use. ” The candidate (in our case the party)who gains the most votes nationwide is said to have won the popular vote. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_elections_by_popular_vote_margin. Collins dictionary: “to get a majority as regards the votes cast by individual voters” @Watching, that accomplishment (since we are talking about political parties) last election goes to the ABLP. Try and remember that in 2016 US elections, HC, won the popular vote by getting 48.5% (trump 46.4)of the votes cast
Well executed @ Watching 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
It is not what the ABLP favors. It is the freaking law and should be followed. Unless their intentions are to transfer voters from one constituency to another come the next elections.That person with the Hitler looking stache did it in last election. He said so without any apologies.
@Black-Man please site the law and section that says we must have full registration before the next election. I have searched the Representation of the people act 2002, which established ABEC and can find no such rule. In the very article its made clear that doing it every ten years has been a practice but there is no legal requirement
Your Honour, I refer @ tenman to my earlier communication about his out and out hypocrisy.
I REST MY CASE!
@Brix. why are you sounding inebriated these days? I recall during the last full reregistration, it was stated by the then government officials that it was not a requirement. The act is available online for all to see and nowhere in it is there a requirement that we have full reregistration every decade. Brix..one of the things I am always commended on, even by my now harshest critics, has been the quotes and references I provide for any assertion I make. Clearly something has to be wrong when you now try to suggest differently
Yes @ tenman, but you are also so selective on CERTAIN topics. I wonder why?
Here’s a selection to jog your memory:
1. The Nigerian airline fiasco
2. Transparency & accountability
3. CIP, YIDA and NAMCO
4. The missing $1 million hurricane Irma fund
5. The Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine mandated to Antiguans and Barbudans, that has now been classified as dangerous and banned worldwide, yet our Health Minister stays silent
Tenman there are so many other things I could mention that you do not DARE comment on; however, to be fair to you, many other like-minded supporters stay silent on the above.
BTW, if you want more examples of the issues that you continually avoid, please let me know 👍🏾
This despot is always trying to destroy this country to suit himself. I hope that the opposition and every sensible Antiguan citizen is staying alert and ready to fight for our democracy. This idea that he has posited is a recipe for fraud and corruption of the electoral process, and must be challenged on every level. This is not a banana republic!
Not in agreement with a full reregistration but not for the reason cited. Not a believer that persons who spend little time in A&B should be able to affect our election income (full reregistration would in-part solve this). My reason against, complete re-registration, it is its wasteful. Considering we are still dealing with deficits why waste funds? Already in the system is the ability to prune the list. ABEC already monitors the civil registry(re deaths). The change that’s needed: Persons on the list who have not been in A&b for more than 10 years needs to be removed (full reregistration seems the best method) 2. Any government issued picture ID should be the requirement to vote and not only the voter id.
If you are so concerned about Antiguans and Barbudans living overseas that may not be able to make it back home to register. How about making a provision whereas that they can go to and embassy or consulate and do so. Also make a provision so that when elections come around that they are able to cast their votes in advance. You mention Next Level governance this would be a prime example of such. Be the first to enact such legislation
@Folks we must understand Tinman’s determination to quote all kinds of irrelevant things to defend his party. As per @Ras Smood the Tinman, from his vantage point on his knees, must defend to maintain his posture.
A re-registration process will obviously expose ALP’S elections shenanigans, transferring voters, issuing of last minute, temporary cards etc. There are people long dead still on the list among other things that must be removed.
Come Tinman, this government found money to give themselves raises(illegally)and back pay. Surely, they can find the money to fund something as crucial to our democracy as re-registration?
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