Chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission John Jarvis
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (January 31, 2023)—Obtuseness and fearmongering, not reality, accounted for some of the mistrust surrounding the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission’s handling of the January 18, 2023 elections, the organization summarized Tuesday.
From unsubstantiated reports of deceased electors to double registrations to an additional concern—that agents of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) brought individuals from the African continent to the country to vote—the tone on the allegations turned up more so than the proof.
Chairperson of ABEC John Jarvis, speaking at a post-election press conference today, dismissed the allegations, while commending his team for what he said was a job well done.
“We had players participating in a game who didn’t know the rules of the game,” Jarvis said.
Commissioner Anthonyson King supported the comment, saying, “We have 17 constituencies and 34 scrutineers, and not one came to the media to say it was impossible.” King indicated that the scrutineers had a duty to defend the integrity of the process.
Deputy Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes defended the organization, citing the criteria to be eligible to vote. In summary, a person must be 18, be a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda or a Commonwealth citizen living in the country for at least seven unbroken years, present government issued identification and reside in the constituency for six months.
“It is impossible,” Hughes said. For those who insist it is not, ABEC maintained that for all the talk, no one presented any supporting evidence.
“The only thing we have is the election petition concerning the eligibility of the eventual Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s South,” ABEC Public Relations Officer Elisha Graham said.
She was referencing the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s claim—and subsequent legal challenge—that Kelvin Simon, who at the time of his nomination was a guidance counselor employed by government, contravened sections of the Civil Service Act and was therefore ineligible to be nominated.
At the press conference, Jarvis and Supervisor of Elections Dame Lorna Simon gave top marks to the ABEC staff, election workers and all the stakeholders whom they said performed creditably.
Specifics about the election, such as demographic breakdowns, final number of votes for candidates and recommendations, are being compiled and will be released in a report per customary procedure.
Also under consideration by the ABEC commissioners is what they will recommend regarding voter re-registration following a similar exercise in 2014 and with many electors’ voters’ identification expiring in 2024.
Noting that the law makes provisions for re-registration every decade, Jarvis said as a commission, there are varying ideas and, “In light of some of the discussions, I would think we may need to look at that question more deeply.”
