The Electoral Commission has confirmed that Dominica will begin the voter confirmation process on October 15, 2025, following the passage of electoral reform legislation earlier this year. Chairman Duncan Stowe explained that modernization has been central to national dialogue for years, with reforms designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and public trust. He noted that the process represents not just administrative change, but a renewal of confidence between citizens and the institutions charged with protecting their democratic voice.
Requirements for Confirmation and Voter Identity
Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph outlined the rules governing confirmation. Only those whose names appeared on the May 2025 voters’ list are eligible to apply. Each applicant must present original identification documents, such as a valid Dominican passport, driver’s licence, or social security card. Commonwealth citizens residing in Dominica must also satisfy a 12-month residency requirement before being confirmed. Confirmation centres will be located in every constituency across the island, staffed by enrolment officers sworn in under the new law. At the end of the process, confirmed individuals will be issued voter ID cards, which will serve as the sole requirement for participating in future elections.
Safeguards, Fraud Concerns, and Timelines
Electoral officials stressed that reform measures were designed to eliminate fraud and strengthen fairness in the system. The confirmation will be digital, with information entered at centres transmitted to a central database for secure storage and oversight. Officials emphasized that this modernization, supported by law, makes manipulation far more difficult. The process will last for 12 months, with the option to extend to 15 months if necessary. However, questions remain over what would happen if an election were called during the period, as the Constitution grants the Prime Minister authority to do so. The Commission acknowledged such a situation would require adjustments but assured that the exercise will proceed to ensure a cleansed and credible voter list for the future.
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