The long-awaited rollout of voter identification cards is expected to begin before the end of July, marking one of the most visible stages in Dominica’s electoral reform process since the new legislation was approved.
The timeline was announced during Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit‘s monthly press conference, where he said the country has now moved from passing electoral reform laws to implementing them. He described the upcoming distribution of voter ID cards as an important milestone in modernising the electoral system.
“After years of consultation with political parties, civil society, regional and international experts, and other stakeholders, Parliament unanimously enacted legislation to modernise our electoral system. We have now moved from legislation to implementation,” Skerrit said.
According to the Prime Minister, electoral officials have advised that the first voter identification cards should begin being issued by the end of the month. He encouraged all eligible citizens who have not yet completed the confirmation process to do so without delay, describing voter participation as a shared civic responsibility.
Skerrit also addressed public discussion surrounding the voters’ list, arguing that the Electoral Commission‘s responsibility is to provide every eligible citizen with an opportunity to register rather than to achieve a predetermined registration figure. He noted that some eligible voters choose not to register immediately or delay registration for personal reasons, and said those decisions do not diminish the integrity of the electoral register.
Once distribution begins, election officials will enter one of the most public-facing phases of the reform programme, with the cards intended to strengthen voter identification in future elections.
This article is copyright © 2026 DOM767
