Dominica Electoral Office rejects claims that voter confirmation can be done without electors present
Key Points(5)
- Dominica’s Electoral Office has rejected claims circulating on social media that individuals can submit documents on behalf of other electors and have their voter information confirmed without the persons being physically present.
- Chief Election Officer Anthea Joseph said the allegations are false and cannot occur under the current voter confirmation process.
- “We wish to state categorically that this is absolutely false and cannot happen under the current confirmation process,” Joseph said in a statement.
- She explained that the system includes safeguards requiring the physical presence of each person being confirmed.
- During the process, an elector’s information is entered into the system, a photograph is taken and the individual must provide an electronic signature using a signature pad.
Dominica’s Electoral Office has rejected claims circulating on social media that individuals can submit documents on behalf of other electors and have their voter information confirmed without the persons being physically present.
Chief Election Officer Anthea Joseph said the allegations are false and cannot occur under the current voter confirmation process.
“We wish to state categorically that this is absolutely false and cannot happen under the current confirmation process,” Joseph said in a statement.
She explained that the system includes safeguards requiring the physical presence of each person being confirmed. During the process, an elector’s information is entered into the system, a photograph is taken and the individual must provide an electronic signature using a signature pad.
“The software will not complete the confirmation application unless both the photograph and the electronic signature have been captured,” Joseph said.
She added that it is therefore impossible for someone to be confirmed simply because another person presents documents on their behalf without the elector being present.
The Electoral Office said it is following established procedures at all confirmation centers and has implemented supervision and oversight measures to protect the integrity of the process.
“The Office urges members of the public to verify information through its official communication channels and to refrain from sharing unverified claims that may mislead electors or undermine public confidence in the electoral process,” the statement said.
The clarification comes as Dominica moves ahead with the implementation of electoral reforms following years of debate over the country’s voter registration system.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the issuance of voter identification cards is expected to begin by the end of July, describing it as another milestone in what he called the most comprehensive electoral reform program in Dominica’s history.
Skerrit said the reforms followed consultations with political parties, civil society groups, regional and international experts, and other stakeholders. Parliament later passed legislation establishing procedures for voter registration, confirmation, publication of the electoral register, objections and appeals.
“The integrity of the register should therefore be judged by whether those included are legally entitled to vote and not by whether every eligible citizen has exercised that right,” Skerrit said.
The reforms follow a 2024 report submitted to the government by former Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Sir Dennis Byron, who served as the sole commissioner leading efforts toward electoral reform.
The issue has been politically contentious, with opposition parties, including the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), boycotting the last general election.
The Electoral Office said it remains committed to administering the confirmation process in accordance with the Registration of Electors Act and established procedures.
