Philip North – By Jeressa Jeremy
Philip North Election Conducted
Ambassador Arthur G.P. Thomas, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), has confirmed that the upcoming St Philip’s North by-election will utilize traditional manual protocols, despite a broader regional push for digital integration.
Speaking on Observer AM on Nomination Day, yesterday, Ambassador Thomas clarified that while ABEC is actively researching electronic voting systems, the transition remains in an exploratory phase to ensure public and political confidence.
He noted that for the current by-election cycle, the Commission is “sticking to the normal, traditional manual protocols”, emphasising that any introduction of technology must be approached with extreme caution to maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
“The introduction of technology, we have to approach very carefully,” the Chairman stated. He explained that the Commission is currently “studying the options available internationally,” having already examined systems employed in South America, the United States, and India.
While the move toward a digital framework is part of the country’s development trajectory, Ambassador Thomas stressed that technological implementation is not a decision the Commission will make in isolation.
“We are weighing up our options so that at the end of the day we can recommend to the political parties what we think are the best options,” he said.
He underscored that “political buy-in” and general public trust are the two most significant hurdles before any electronic system can be implemented for a general election.
“We have uploaded everything … and the technical personnel are double-checking to ensure there isn’t any further malware.”
Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes added that despite the manual nature of the vote, interest in the by-election has triggered a spike in voter ID renewals.
Hughes reported that over 140 electors have replaced their cards since the election announcement, bringing the renewal rate in the constituency to over 50%.
The Commission will extend registration hours in St Philip’s North to accommodate the surge as the March 16th election date approaches.
