The Antigua Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is urging citizens to replace expired voter ID cards as part of its ongoing replacement programme, launched in August 2024.

Public Relations Officer Elisa Graham said 17,050 cards have been replaced so far, but many voters have yet to update their documents. She warned that an electoral process could be called at any time, and outdated cards could cause delays. “A lot of institutions rely on the voter’s ID card as a primary form of identification. The sooner you update it, the better,” Graham added.

Replacement rates vary across constituencies. St. Peter and Barbuda lead with 77% and 72% of cards replaced, while St. John’s City East is at 27%. Other areas range between 29% and 42%. No data was provided for All Saints West.

Voters must present their expired card, a government-issued ID, proof of address, and documents reflecting marital status. New cards include updated photos, signatures, and fingerprint validation, and will be available within three weeks at the same registration unit.

Graham advised voters who have recently changed constituencies to complete transfer applications before replacing their ID to ensure all information is accurate.