The Electoral Office of Dominica has clarified how the voter confirmation process works, while responding to recent concerns about the procedures being followed at confirmation centres.
In a statement, the Electoral Office said a voter cannot be confirmed by simply submitting documents. It stressed that the voter must be physically present at a confirmation centre for the process to be completed.
The Office explained that the process begins when the voter appears at a confirmation centre accompanied by a witness. Officials first verify that both the voter and the witness are registered voters and confirm that the witness is registered in the same electoral district as the voter.
Election officials then examine the voter’s identification documents before the voter completes the required application form. The form is witnessed by the accompanying witness and verified and signed by the Enrollment Officer.
The voter then moves to a data entry officer, who enters the information into the electronic confirmation system. The Electoral Office noted that each confirmation station is equipped with two screens—one for the officer and another for the voter—allowing the voter to review the information as it is entered.
According to the Office, the process is only completed after the voter’s supporting documents are scanned, a photograph is taken and an electronic signature is captured. According to the Office, the system will not allow information to be saved, transmitted or added to the main database unless both the photograph and electronic signature have been recorded.
The Electoral Office also said the electronic system includes mandatory verification steps that require each stage of the confirmation process to be completed before moving to the next, making the physical presence and active participation of the voter essential.
The Office assured the public that the voter confirmation process is being carried out in a secure, transparent and accountable manner. It also reaffirmed its commitment to providing accurate and reliable information throughout the ongoing electoral process, adding that safeguarding the integrity of the process remains its highest priority.
Listen to Chief Election Officer, Anthea Joseph:
