Reports from the Electoral Commission of Dominica indicate that September 1, 2025, is the starting date for the voter confirmation exercise, one important–and much-contended–component of the country’s ongoing electoral reforms.
Via a press release, the Commission shared that the confirmation period will run until August 31, 2026, and is conducted under the provisions of the recently enacted Registration of Electors Act. The new legislation, gazetted on March 25, 2024, and coming into effect on the same date, mandates a minimum of twelve months for voter confirmation, aligning with the constitutional requirements set out in Section 50(1) of the Act.
According to Section 50(1) of the Registration of Electors Act, “As soon as practicable after the effective date and in any event not later than sixty days thereafter, the Commission shall by order, declare a period not less than twelve months, to be the confirmation period for the purpose of this Part and may, in like manner, extend the period so declared, so, however, that the period initially declared together with any extension thereof shall not exceed fifteen months.”
The Commission states that this provision ensures a structured and transparent process for updating the electoral register, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of elections.
The confirmation exercise is part of a broader initiative to modernize Dominica’s electoral laws; a reform process involving the passage of three key pieces of legislation in Parliament on March 19, 2025: the Registration of Electors Act, 2024; the House of Assembly Election Bill, 2024; and the Electoral Commission Act, 2024. These laws, said the Commission, collectively aim to strengthen the transparency, integrity, and efficiency of the country’s electoral system.
Under the new Registration of Electors Act, all eligible voters are required to confirm their registration within the designated period to remain on the official electoral list. The registered voting public is encouraged to participate fully in the process to ensure their continued eligibility to vote and to support the ongoing enhancement of Dominica’s democratic framework.
To facilitate the confirmation process, several confirmation centres will be established across constituencies throughout Dominica. The locations of these centres will be publicly announced via media outlets and published on the Electoral Office’s website, ensuring wide accessibility and awareness among voters.
