Dominica’s Parliament to consider amendment delaying voter confirmation process

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced Thursday that Parliament will convene on Friday, August 29, to consider a bill amending the Registration of Electors Act 2025, following a formal request from the Electoral Commission to delay the start of the voter confirmation process.

- Advertisement -

Originally scheduled to begin on September 1, the confirmation period was set to run until August 31, 2026. In correspondence dated August 21, the Commission indicated that the September 1 start date was “not feasible” due to operational challenges, including the installation of critical equipment, software updates, regulatory amendments, and staff recruitment and training.

Prime Minister Skerrit confirmed that the equipment has now been delivered, confirmation centers identified, and staffing and training are underway. He added that regulations have been amended and gazetted, and all necessary forms printed. The government said the Electoral Commission will launch a national media campaign starting September 1 to raise public awareness.

If approved, the amendment will shift the start of the confirmation process to October 15, 2025, providing additional time to resolve operational issues and engage the public.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to electoral reform, referencing three major bills passed in March 2024: the Registration of Electors Bill and Regulations, the House of Assembly Elections and Registration Bill, and the Electoral Commission Bill, all of which received bipartisan support.

The 2025 regulations introduce several key changes, including:

• Mandatory issuance of voter ID cards and stricter identification requirements (passport, driver’s license, or social security card).

• Biometric data collection, including facial images, signatures, and personal details, stored securely in an electronic database maintained by the Chief Elections Officer.

• In-person confirmation procedures using Form 31, with witness requirements.

  - Advertisement -

• Special provisions for physically incapacitated individuals, allowing enrollment officers to conduct home visits.

“These amendments ensure that the voter registration process is enhanced, more secure, reliable, and transparent,” Skerrit said. “We expect that the regulations will strengthen public confidence in the electoral system while safeguarding the rights of eligible electors.”

The Prime Minister affirmed continued government support for the Electoral Commission to uphold the integrity of Dominica’s elections. “Though we would have wished for the confirmation process to begin without delay, we will continue to support the Electoral Commission so that Dominica’s elections remain transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of our people,” he stated.