UPP expresses dissatisfaction with ABEC’s unacceptablevoter card-replacement process
Four days into the voter card-replacement drive by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), the Leadership andExecutive of the United Progressive Party (UPP) are expressing deep dissatisfaction with the implementation of this importantprocess.
In a press statement issued today, August 15, the Commission admitted that thirteen (13) of its seventeen (17) Registration Units are affected by “technical connectivity issues” and that only 702 persons have been able to complete the application process to date.
.tdi_2.td-a-rec{text-align:center}.tdi_2.td-a-rec:not(.td-a-rec-no-translate){transform:translateZ(0)}.tdi_2 .td-element-style{z-index:-1}.tdi_2.td-a-rec-img{text-align:left}.tdi_2.td-a-rec-img img{margin:0 auto 0 0}@media (max-width:767px){.tdi_2.td-a-rec-img{text-align:center}}
Given that ABEC had several months’ lead time ahead of the announced start date of August 12, the UPP believes the Commission ought to have been fully prepared – including the execution of comprehensive test-runs of the system – for this exercise.
Therefore, it is unacceptable that only four of its Units are functional. This not only delays thousands of voters and new registrants from receiving their cards but, in itself, serves as a disincentive to persons who were eager to participate in the democratic process.
“ABEC is making a mockery of itself and the voting public,” says UPP Political Leader Jamale Pringle. “After all the discussions among the political parties and the changes of heart regarding a re-registration exercise, my colleagues and Iexpected the Commission to be ready to roll out across both islands on Monday. We actively urged our supporters to go out in their numbers and update their cards – and, now, this,” he says.
“The UPP is very disappointed, and we are calling on the Chairman of ABEC, Ambassador Arthur Thomas, to come to the public and explain this new let-down,” Pringle concludes.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
