Government to Seek Extension for Voter Confirmation Process
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that government will present a bill to Parliament on Friday, August 29, 2025, to amend the Registration of Electors Act and extend the start date for the national voter confirmation exercise.
The decision follows a formal request from the Electoral Commission, which advised the Government in writing on August 21, 2025, that the planned September 1 start date was not feasible.
Statutory Rules and Orders (S.R & O) No. 16 of 2025 had established September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, as the official confirmation period. However, the Commission has requested that this period be adjusted to allow additional time for the installation of equipment, software upgrades, amendments to regulations and the recruitment and training of staff.
The extension, once approved by Parliament, will allow the formal confirmation process to begin on October 15, 2025.
“I should stress that I have been advised that equipment required for the confirmation process has been delivered to the electoral office, and centers have been identified. The Commission is currently installing the equipment and finalizing staffing arrangements and training. The Regulations have been amended and gazetted, and all necessary forms have been printed to facilitate the process,” Prime Minister Skerrit said, addressing a press conference on Thursday.
“The Commission has advised that the extension will allow for the resolution of outstanding operational challenges while affording adequate time to engage the public. It will embark on a national media campaign from September 1, 2025 on the confirmation process to ensure that the electorate is well informed and prepared,” he added.
In March, 2025, parliament approved the Registration of Electors Bill, the House of Assembly (Elections) & Registration Bill, and the Electoral Commission Bill to modernize and strengthen Dominica’s electoral processes.
In July 2025, the Electoral Commission further strengthened the process by gazetting amended regulations which modernize voter registration and confirmation. Among the major changes are the introduction of a voter ID card, stricter identification requirements and biometric data collection.
“Though we would have wished for the confirmation process to begin without delay, we will continue to support the Electoral Commission so that Dominica’s elections remain transparent, credible and reflective of the will of our people,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.
