Abec Chairman – By Deslyn A Joseph
Abec Chairman Affirms Ongoing
Plans to modernize the electoral process in Antigua and Barbuda remain a priority for the national electoral body. Ambassador Arthur Thomas, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), has confirmed that the commission has not abandoned its objective to explore and eventually implement electronic voting across the twin-island nation.
Speaking on Monday evening on a panel discussion held during the St. Philip’s North by-election, Ambassador Thomas provided an update on the Commission’s progress. He clarified that while the public may not yet see physical changes at the polling stations, internal discussions and strategic planning are actively continuing behind the scenes.
Ambassador Thomas described the current status of the initiative as being at the foundation level.
“The transition to an electronic system is a monumental task that requires a careful, step-by-step approach rather than a rushed rollout. The commission is currently focused on fine-tuning its internal concepts and framework before moving to the next stages of development,” he explained.
According to the Chairman, once this foundational work is complete, the process will transition into a phase of comprehensive national consultation. This outreach is intended to be inclusive, involving direct dialogue with political parties, individual candidates, and the general public to ensure that any technological shift maintains the highest levels of transparency and trust.
The move toward electronic voting is not merely a technical upgrade but represents a significant policy shift for Antigua and Barbuda. Ambassador Thomas noted that such a transition would require a formal change in national electoral policy, which must be supported by broad public consensus.
Beyond policy and consultation, the Chairman identified financial backing as a critical hurdle for the project.
“Securing a stable and sufficient funding source is the key to the initiative’s success. Without the necessary capital to invest in secure infrastructure and training, the transition cannot move from the conceptual stage to reality,” he stated.
Through these remarks, Ambassador Thomas signaled that while the commission is dedicated to bringing the nation’s voting system into the digital age, the path forward will be defined by deliberate planning, public engagement, and fiscal readiness.
