Electoral List of Dominica

The Electoral List of Dominica, officially known as the Register of Electors, is the national database of citizens eligible to vote in parliamentary, by-elections, and referenda within the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is managed by the Electoral Office of Dominica, under the oversight of the Electoral Commission, in accordance with the Registration of Electors Act and the Constitution of Dominica.

The list identifies each elector by name, polling district, and constituency. It is the foundation of Dominica’s democratic process, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in general elections. The accuracy of this list directly influences the integrity of the House of Assembly elections and is periodically revised to reflect deaths, migrations, and newly qualified voters.

Changes such as new registrations appear immediately in the Electoral Register, yet only appear in the Electoral List after the official publication deadline.

Legal Framework and Administrative Oversight

The Electoral List operates under the Registration of Electors Act (Chapter 2:03), which outlines procedures for registration, confirmation, and removal of electors. The Chief Elections Officer serves as the principal administrator, while the Electoral Commission provides constitutional oversight.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and publishing the preliminary, supplementary, and final lists of electors for each constituency.
• Supervising the annual and special confirmation exercises.
• Ensuring compliance with requirements for voter identification, residence, and eligibility.
• Receiving and addressing objections and appeals concerning inclusion or exclusion of names.
• Coordinating with the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Security Division, and local village councils for data updates.

These administrative functions guarantee that the Electoral List remains a living record of Dominica’s active electorate, reflecting the will of citizens in every constituency, including urban and rural districts such as Roseau, Portsmouth, Salisbury, and Salybia.

Compilation and Verification Process

The preparation of the Electoral List follows several stages designed to preserve its integrity.

1. Registration of Electors:
Citizens aged 18 years or older, who are Dominican nationals or Commonwealth citizens residing legally in the country for a specified period, may apply to be registered. Applications are processed at constituency-level Electoral Offices and recorded in the central database.

2. Confirmation Exercises:
Under the Registration of Electors Act 2025, a nationwide Voter Confirmation Process was introduced. This initiative, supervised by Chief Elections Officer, requires previously registered voters to confirm their details in person, present valid identification, and sign updated declarations.

3. Data Verification and Objection Period:
Following the publication of the preliminary list, electors or political agents may file objections to incorrect or duplicate entries. These are reviewed by registration officers, and decisions may be appealed to the Commission.

4. Final Publication:
Once verified, the Final List of Electors is published both online and in print, becoming the official register for subsequent elections.

The Electoral Office regularly collaborates with agencies like the Central Statistical Office (CSO), Registry Division, and Ministry of National Security to ensure the list’s accuracy and remove deceased or relocated individuals.

Access, Transparency, and Digital Initiatives

To promote public confidence, the Electoral Office publishes updated constituency lists through public notices and digital platforms. Citizens can verify registration status at designated confirmation centres, electoral district offices, or via official communication channels.

Digital transformation is a priority, with plans to expand the Online Voter Information System, allowing registered electors to check their details electronically. The long-term vision involves integrating digital identity verification, improving data security, and linking electoral registration with civil and immigration databases.

Transparency also involves bipartisan collaboration. Political parties such as the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), United Workers Party (UWP), and Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) receive official copies of electoral lists for review before elections. This ensures broad scrutiny and reduces disputes during electoral cycles.

Importance and Challenges

The Electoral List reinforces Dominica’s democracy by safeguarding each citizen’s constitutional right to vote. It allows for fair constituency representation and ensures proportional electoral participation across the country. However, maintaining its accuracy remains an ongoing challenge, due to:

• Migration and absentee voters.
• Incomplete confirmation during update exercises.
• Outdated or duplicate records before digital integration.
• Technical constraints in remote constituencies like the Vieille Case Constituency and Petite Savanne Constituency.

Efforts are ongoing to resolve these through stronger inter-agency coordination, modernized IT systems, and community outreach campaigns led by the Electoral Office.

Future Development and Governance Reforms

The future of the Electoral List lies in modernization. The Electoral Commissionand its supporting body, the Electoral Office, are implementing reforms to enhance public confidence in the voting process. These include:

• Upgrading database management and security systems.
• Introducing biometric features for voter verification.
• Strengthening the Electoral Commission Act (2025) to improve accountability.
• Expanding voter education initiatives across schools, youth organizations, and rural councils.

These reforms reflect Dominica’s broader governance objectives, aligning electoral modernization with the principles of the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030 and digital transformation agendas.