Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced Thursday that Parliament will convene on Friday, August 29, to consider a bill amending the Registration of Electors Act 2025. The proposed amendment responds to a formal request from the Electoral Commission for additional time to begin the voter confirmation process, originally scheduled to commence on September 1.
The Prime Minister stated that the Commission, in correspondence dated August 21, indicated that the September 1 start date was “not feasible to commence this important exercise” and requested an extension. The confirmation period, as declared by Statutory Rules and Orders No. 16 of 2025, was initially set from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
According to the Commission, the delay is necessary to complete the installation of critical equipment, finalize software modifications, amend governing regulations, and recruit and train staff essential to the confirmation process. Prime Minister Skerrit confirmed that “equipment required for the confirmation process has been delivered to the electoral office and confirmation centers have also been identified.”
He added that “the Commission is currently installing the equipment and finalizing staffing arrangements and training,” and that “the regulations have been amended and gazetted, and all necessary forms have been printed to facilitate the process.”
To ensure public awareness, the Commission will launch a national media campaign beginning September 1. “The extension will allow for the resolution of outstanding operational challenges while offering adequate time to engage the public,” Skerrit said.
The amendment will shift the start of the confirmation process to October 1, 2025.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to electoral reform, referencing the passage of three major bills in March 2024: the Registration of Electors Bill and Regulations, the House of Assembly Elections and Registration Bill, and the Electoral Commission Bill. These reforms received bipartisan support.
In July 2025, the Electoral Commission gazetted the Registration of Electors Regulations 2025, introducing significant changes to voter registration procedures. These include the issuance of voter ID cards and stricter identification requirements, such as presenting a valid passport, driver’s license, or social security card.
Biometric data collection is now mandated, with registering officers required to capture facial images, signatures, and personal details for secure storage in an electronic database maintained by the Chief Elections Officer.
The regulations also outline procedures for confirming registration, including the completion of Form 31, in-person verification, and witness requirements. Special provisions have been made for physically incapacitated individuals, allowing enrollment officers to conduct home visits.
“These amendments ensure that the voter registration process is enhanced, that it will be more secure, reliable, and transparent,” Skerrit said. “We expect that the regulations will strengthen public confidence in the electoral system while safeguarding the rights of eligible electors.”
Prime Minister Skerrit affirmed the government’s support for the Electoral Commission and its efforts to uphold the integrity of Dominica’s electoral process.
“Though we would have wished for the confirmation process to begin without delay, we will continue to support the Electoral Commission so that Dominica’s elections remain transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of our people,” he stated.