Nearly half of eligible voters in Antigua and Barbuda have yet to renew their voter identification cards, according to the latest data released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), raising concerns about preparedness ahead of the next general election.

The commission’s March 2026 report shows that just over 23,000 voter ID card transactions have been recorded since the start of the renewal exercise, against an estimated 40,000 cards requiring replacement. This suggests that tens of thousands of voters remain without updated identification.

The figures indicate uneven progress across constituencies. St. Peter leads the process with 81 percent completion, while Barbuda has reached 73 percent. St. Philip North, where a recent by-election was held, stands at 72 percent.

However, most constituencies remain below the halfway mark. Urban and rural districts in St. John’s are largely clustered between 42 and 46 percent completion, including St. John’s City West (44 percent), City East (42 percent), and Rural East (44 percent). St. Mary’s North records one of the lowest rates at 40 percent.

The data also show that March saw a sharp increase in applications, with more than 4,000 processed during the month alone. Activity peaked in the period between March 23 and 28, when over 2,200 applications were recorded, suggesting a late surge in voter turnout for the renewal process.

Despite the recent uptick, the overall pace indicates that a significant portion of the electorate has yet to comply with the requirement to replace expired cards.

The renewal exercise is considered critical to ensuring voter eligibility, as individuals without valid identification may face challenges participating in upcoming elections.

With an election widely expected in the coming months, the figures are likely to intensify calls for increased public outreach and faster processing to avoid disenfranchisement.

ABEC has not indicated whether any deadline extensions will be granted, but the data underscore the urgency for remaining voters to complete the process.