Jamale Pringle, Political Leader of the UPP

Pringle Promises Easier Voting for Diaspora with 14-Day Registration Plan

United Progressive Party (UPP) political leader Jamale Pringle says a UPP government would move quickly to make voting more accessible for Antiguans and Barbudans living overseas, including reducing the time required to qualify for voter registration.

Addressing supporters at a rally, Pringle said the current system, which requires individuals to remain in the country for more than four weeks to register, prevents many members of the diaspora from participating in elections.

“We recognize that only a few persons will be able to come home for four weeks plus in order to qualify for voter registration,” Pringle said.

He announced that a UPP administration would reduce that requirement to 14 days, allowing overseas nationals to travel home, register, and vote within a shorter period.

“So your next UPP government will reduce that period to 14 days so that our people in the diaspora can be a registered voter in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said, adding that the change would be implemented early in his party’s term in office.

Pringle framed the proposal as a matter of fairness, arguing that citizens abroad who contribute to the country’s development should not face barriers to voting.

“If they can give citizenship by investment five days, we can give our people in the diaspora less for them to be able to vote in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.

He also pledged that a UPP government would end what he described as discrimination against overseas nationals.

“There will be no discrimination, no more punishment of our own people who continue to love their country and support our economy,” Pringle told the crowd.