Observer Group has called for urgent electoral boundary reform in Antigua and Barbuda following its assessment of the country’s April 30, 2026, general elections, after an invitation from the country’s government, while also praising the overall conduct of the polls.
In its final report, the Group renewed concerns first raised regarding constituency boundaries, noting that they have remained largely unchanged since 1984 despite significant population shifts.
A write-up outlined that in the report, the observers warned that major differences in voter numbers among constituencies could weaken the principle of equal representation and affect public confidence in the electoral system.
“The 2026 general elections took place under a compressed timetable following the dissolution of Parliament on 1 April 2026 and the subsequent announcement of elections on 7 April 2026. This expedited process tested electoral institutions and required accelerated adjustments to voter registration, transfers, verification, claims and objections. While ABEC is commended for its voter education efforts, particularly during the Expired Voter’s ID [identification] Card Replacement Programme, the shortened timeframe raised concerns about whether all eligible voters had sufficient opportunity to confirm their registration status,” outlined the summary.
As a result, the report recommends that the government empower the Boundaries Commission to carry out an independent review and redistribution of constituencies using census data collected between 2022 and 2025.
The Group stressed that the process should be free from political interference to safeguard fairness and uphold the principle of one person, one vote.
The observer mission, appointed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey and led by former Botswana Foreign Minister Hon. Pelonomi Venson, found that the elections were peaceful, orderly, and transparent.
It also commended election officials, voters, political parties, the police and the media for their contributions to a credible electoral process.
Botchwey said the report offers an important assessment of Antigua and Barbuda’s democracy and will support continued engagement with stakeholders as the country prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
