The Dominica Trade Union Congress (DTUC) is urging eligible voters to make sure they are confirmed or registered ahead of the October 14, 2026 deadline, as the voter confirmation exercise continues to face public scrutiny.
The call comes after months of attention to the process, including delays in processing applications and concerns raised by members of the public and others about the requirements and administration of the exercise. The government itself sought technical assistance from regional and international partners earlier this year, citing concerns about the timely and effective implementation of the electoral reforms.
The Electoral Office has maintained that the confirmation exercise is intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of the voters’ list by allowing electors to verify their information and address inconsistencies and duplicate entries.
Against that backdrop, the DTUC is encouraging citizens not to allow concerns about the process to keep them from participating.
In a statement, the trade union body reminded eligible citizens that October 14 is the deadline and urged those who have not yet completed the process to do so without delay.
The DTUC said the right to vote should not be taken for granted, pointing to the sacrifices made by trade union and civil rights leaders and citizens around the world to secure that right.
The organization highlighted the twenty-seven (27) year imprisonment of Nelson Mandela in South Africa as an example of the sacrifices made by those before us to protect the right and freedom to vote and choose a government of your choosing.
The DTUC also pointed to Dominica’s own historical struggle to achieve adult suffrage, noting that the right to vote is enshrined in the country’s constitution.
The organization acknowledged that there are “many national concerns” about the electoral process and said some of these may have contributed to growing apathy and reluctance among citizens to get confirmed.
The DTUC said, however, that restoring confidence in governance systems and the electoral process requires citizens to remain involved and able to exercise their right to vote.
The trade union body also expressed concern about what it described as the humour or lack of interest sometimes shown when people are encouraged to get confirmed or registered.
“This is no joking matter!” the statement declared.
The DTUC said completing the confirmation or registration process puts citizens in a better position to choose a government of their choice while allowing them to play an essential part in national development and their own wellbeing.
With the deadline approaching, the organization is urging eligible citizens to complete the process.
“Get confirmed without delay!” the DTUC said.
