The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) categorically and unequivocally rejects the false, reckless and malicious statements recently made by Bruce Goodwin, a former Chairman of ABEC, on the programme Eye on the Issues, hosted by Louisa Tully, in which he sought to attack the independence of the Commission and the legitimacy of the General Elections held on 30 April 2026.
The allegations aired are grave, wholly unsubstantiated, and entirely devoid of credible evidential foundation. They must be rejected in their entirety.
ABEC states without ambiguity that its policies, systems and operational procedures are lawful, transparent and institutionally independent. The Commission has not been captured by the State, is not subject to partisan control, and its systems are not linked in any way to any apparatus of the State for any improper purpose. Any allegation to the contrary is false, scandalous and deeply irresponsible.
It is especially regrettable that these assertions have come from a former Chairman of the Commission, a person who ought to understand both the constitutional importance of ABEC’s independence and the damage that reckless public misinformation can do to public confidence in democratic institutions. Public commentary of this sort, unsupported by fact and advanced in such inflammatory terms, is not an act of public service. It is an attack on the integrity of the electoral process itself.
ABEC further affirms that its conduct, procedures and decision-making processes are open, reviewable and consistent with acceptable democratic standards. The Commission’s work is transparent and clean, and that fact would have been apparent to and verified by the observer groups involved in the last elections at the local, regional and international levels. Attempts to discredit the Commission through sensational and unsupported allegations cannot alter that reality.
The Commission also rejects entirely the offensive imputation cast upon the Supervisor of Elections, the Commissioners, the diligent members of staff and scrutineers, who have worked professionally, honourably and tirelessly in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities. These men and women are entitled to have their reputations protected against falsehood, innuendo and politically charged misrepresentation.
ABEC wishes to make one matter perfectly clear: if any person has credible evidence of electoral wrongdoing, the proper course is to place that evidence before the competent authority. The dissemination of serious accusations in the public domain, without proof and in a manner calculated to inflame suspicion and disrepute, is a reckless abuse of public commentary and an affront to responsible democratic engagement.
The Commission therefore calls upon the public to disregard Mr. Goodwin’s allegations and not to mistake noise, repetition and provocation for proof. ABEC remains steadfast in the discharge of its constitutional and statutory mandate and will continue to uphold the highest standards of impartiality, legality, transparency and electoral administration. ABEC will not tolerate the reckless poisoning of public discourse by falsehood and manufactured scandal.
The Commission calls for Mr. Goodwin to retract the statements which are unfounded, irresponsible and damaging. The Commission rejects them utterly and will take whatever legal action is necessary to defend its independence, its officers and the integrity of the electoral process. -END-
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Ignore that UPP MOUTHPIECE who referred to Guyanese and Jamaicans as “PAUPERS”. He also bragged and boasted that as Ambassador to Cuba, he DISCRIMINATED against students in a bid to pack a charter flight with only students he knew would vote for Trevor Walker in Barbuda.
“…ABEC captured by the State…” WHAT???
That’s one hell of a serious allegation by Bruce Goodwin the former Chairman of ABEC.
This must be fully investigated independently and without favour, so that Antiguans have the utmost faith and trust in our democratic process.
I’m in shock at this breaking news story.
Many citizens have had previous concerns and witnessed the whispers and shu, shu shuing; but this assertion must be looked into forthwith, so that these rumours are dealt with once and for all!
THIS ISN’T A GOOD LOOK AT ALL…
@Facts, stay on topic nah?!
You guys are the best at deflection. I wonder where you get it from?
ABLP supporters are absolute masters at it…
Poor Antigua 🇦🇬
Let’s suppose that there’s no evidence of Bruce Goodwin’s claim; well there is definitely a person who doubts the impartiality, legality, transparency and independence of the Commission and he said it publicly. Why didn’t you take the necessary legal action to safeguard the pristine image of ABEC. I’m quite sure that you are aware of the what transpired when a member of the public made a report on that same statement to the then acting DPP. Case closed.
You of all people telling anyone to stay on topic? You Mr Deflector? I’m surprised you have not change the topic to your favorite topic: Gaston Browne.
Martin needs to stay out of BLACK PEOPLE business. He and his Caucasian forebears have done enough damage to coloured folks.
Guilty as sin.
But this is nothing new. It happens all the time and each time the UPP resolves to do something about it but you guessed it, not a damn thing is done. The UPP scrutineers are useless or they are outsmarted by their counterparts.
Any system that allows persons to acquire any items for voting on the day of voting is guaranteed to be flawed or rigged.
You guys do it every election and the UPP is too fooly to see that. Gaston Browne depends on something like this happening.
Sir, I predict that you and your comrades in arms are going to root those pillows and sheets as you fight your CONSCIENCE in the dying stages of your life. You might even beg for a pastor in those last moments.
I guaranteed there will be no peaceful expiration for all of you. None.
If that is so then take him to court. Why don’t you? Don’t use your outrageous words on him. Take him to court.
Let the nation see who is telling the truth and who is a bareface liar
I double dare you.
Thomas: my pay master Gaston has ask me to give a very convincing emotional tone, but oh gosh Gaston mouth thus run plenty, he done start to chat and say he give out money during the election because he is a generous and loving person all of a sudden for the election, and last time he came on the radio and said he transfered people into constituency that was weak, the next thing he may talk about the work behind the election scene that we carry out to make Alp win.
But upp would a lose anyway with Pringle there as leader, had they change that to Lovell or someone else that would a cause a flood of voters that stayed home would have overwhelm us and Gaston money wouldn’t prevail, Lester bird had spent more money than Gaston in 2004 and still lose the election.