Dominica: Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit held a press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025, and confirmed that the Registration of Electors Act amendment bill will be presented in the Parliament. The Dominican leader stated that the government has decided to extend the start date for the national voter confirmation exercise.
This declaration followed a formal request from the Electoral Commission, which advised the Government in writing on August 21, 2025, that the planned date Sept 01, 2025, was not appropriate to start the voting.
Statutory Rules and Orders (SRO) no.16 of 2025 has been declared Sept 01, 2025, to Aug 31, 2026, as the official confirmation period. The Commission has requested that this period should be adjusted to allow additional time for the installation of equipment, software upgrades, amendments to regulations, and the recruitment and training of staff.
During the conference it was made clear that this extension is approved by the Parliament of Dominica and will allow the formal confirmation process to begin on Oct 15, 2025.
PM Skerrit said it came into his knowledge that the equipment is required for the confirmation process which will be delivered to the electoral office, and centers will be identified.
At present, the commission is installing equipment. Also, arrangements and training finalisation for the staff is in process. The regulations are being amended and gazetted, with all necessary forms that will facilitate the process.
The Prime Minister said that the Commission clearly mentioned that the extension would allow the outstanding operational challenges, which will allow adequate affording time to engage the public.
Following this process, later it will begin with the national media campaign, starting from Sept 01, 2025, on the confirmation process to ensure that the electorate is well informed and prepared.
These major changes have also introduced voter ID cards, stricter identification requirements and biometric data collection. PM Skerrit added that the federation has wished for the confirmation process to begin without any delay.
They will then continue to support the Electoral Commission so that Dominica’s elections are conducted transparent and remain credible and reflective of the will of the people of Dominica.