Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission

Brief History The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is an independent, non-partisan entity with a mission to safeguard the electoral process in the twin island state. The creation of ABEC was the result of a report that was written by the Commonwealth Observer Group following the 1999 General Elections in Antigua and Barbuda. They recommended the establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission in Antigua and Barbuda with, among other powers, the mandate to create a completely new register, introduce a system of voter identification cards, and arrange the redrawing of constituency boundaries, and as necessary, review electoral law [Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group 1999, page 25]. ABEC emerged on December 3, 2001 with the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), Cap. 379 Act No. 17 of 2001. A staff complement was hired and five commissioners were appointed in April of 2002. The first Chairman of ABEC was McClin Mathias. His Deputy Chairman was Bruce Goodwi...