The Parliament of Dominica has passed a Bill amending the Registration of Electors Act 2025, granting the Electoral Commission the legal authority to revise the start date of the national voter confirmation process. The move comes in response to a formal request from the Commission, which cited logistical challenges in meeting the previously scheduled September 1, 2025 commencement.
The confirmation period, originally declared under Statutory Rules and Orders No. 16 of 2025, was set to run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. However, in correspondence dated August 21, the Electoral Commission informed the government that the timeline was “not feasible to commence this important exercise,” prompting the introduction of the amendment Bill in Parliament on Friday.
Attorney General Levi Peter explained the rationale behind the legislative change:
“The electoral commission has advised that the current September 1 commencement date is no longer feasible. The commission has decided to revise the timetable for the commencement of the confirmation process.”
Peter emphasized that the amendment to Section 50, Subsection (1) of the Act was necessary to provide the Commission with the legislative authority to declare a new start date.
“It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that the commission, by order, will shortly declare a new commencement date and confirmation period. It’s my understanding that this will be from October of 2025 to October of 2026, but that remains subject to the order of the commission to bring this into formal existence,” Peter stated.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the Commission’s efforts to implement electoral reform effectively.
“It is on the request of the commission that we are here,” Skerrit stated. “They have incited a number of reasons they will not be ready for September 1… They recognized that they will need some more time to start the actual process of when you show up, you can confirm and get your biodata taken and to have your name confirmed.”
Skerrit also highlighted the broader goals of the reform initiative, including the issuance of voter ID cards to every confirmed registered voter.
“Parliament did provide for a very smooth, efficient, transparent, effective implementation of Electoral Reform, particularly with regards to the confirmation exercise.”
With the Bill now approved, the Electoral Commission is expected to issue a formal order announcing the revised confirmation period. Parliament was adjourned sine die following the passage of the amendment.