Authorities have launched a criminal investigation after unauthorized remote access to the computer systems of the Electoral Office on Central Street, Basseterre, was discovered and shut down, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections confirmed on Thursday.
According to a public notice issued on January 29, the unauthorized access had reportedly been taking place for several months before it was detected. Once identified, the government’s Information Technology Department was immediately engaged and successfully discontinued and disabled the illicit remote connection.
The Supervisor of Elections has since initiated an internal investigation and enlisted the support of the White Collar Crime Unit of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the official Registers and Lists of Voters were not compromised, altered, or corrupted. However, officials believe the individual or individuals involved were extracting copies of the electoral list and related information.
“The Office is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is taking all necessary steps to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system and its data,” the notice stated, adding that action will be pursued “to the full extent of the law” against those responsible.
The Supervisor of Elections also reminded the public that the preparation, custody, and publication of voter registers are strictly governed by the National Assembly Elections Act. Under the law, only the Chief Registration Officer — the Supervisor of Elections — is authorized to prepare and publish official voter registers and monthly lists, and only through legally prescribed methods and timelines.
Political parties, organizations, and members of the public were urged to respect the legal framework governing electoral information and to rely solely on officially published voter lists.
The Office further advised that the annual Register of Voters as of November 2025 will be posted in each polling division on Friday, January 30, 2026, in accordance with the law. Registered voters are encouraged to review the lists carefully to ensure their information is accurate.
Members of the public were also invited to listen to a recent statement from the Supervisor of Elections, which provides additional clarification on the status of the electoral lists.
