Commonwealth Observers Call for Electoral Commission to Be Entrenched in Constitution

A Commonwealth Observer Group has recommended that Antigua and Barbuda amend its Constitution to formally establish and protect the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), arguing that the move would strengthen the independence and credibility of the country’s electoral system.

The recommendation is among a series of reforms outlined in the group’s final report on the April 30, 2026 general election.

“The Constitution be amended to establish the Electoral Commission, including its composition and functions,” the report stated. It further recommended that statutory powers be provided to enable the commission to fully carry out its mandate.

The observers said Antigua and Barbuda’s legal and regulatory framework generally provides an adequate basis for democratic elections but identified several areas requiring reform, including the independence of election administration, campaign finance oversight and constituency boundary reviews.

The Commonwealth team found that the 2026 election was conducted in a peaceful, orderly and transparent manner, with polling procedures generally followed and election officials carrying out their duties professionally.

However, the report noted that strengthening the institutional foundation of election management would help safeguard public confidence in future elections. Entrenching ABEC in the Constitution would place its existence, powers and responsibilities on firmer legal footing and align the body more closely with international electoral best practices.

The recommendation was directed to Parliament, which would be responsible for any constitutional amendment required to establish the commission and define its functions.

The report forms part of a broader set of recommendations aimed at deepening democracy and strengthening electoral institutions in Antigua and Barbuda following the 2026 general election.

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