The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is hoping to start distribution of the new voter identification cards this week. Photo: Antigua Observer

An expired voter ID card replacement programme which began on August 12 is currently underway. ABEC had anticipated that distribution would begin within two to three weeks from commencement.

However, technical issues with its network days after the exercise started has resulted in delays.

Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes said checks are now being done to verify that the information provided by voters is accurate, adding that the new cards will be ready for collection sometime this week.

“Initially we were saying two weeks but we sort of adjusted that to two to three weeks after you would have made representation or made the application to the registration officer.

“Yes, the first week we had some issues which would have delayed our processes somewhat and so we have started to print the cards last week and so they are now going through the Q&A, the quality and assurance test checks and balances, just to make sure that all the information captured is accurate and we should start to issue those cards shortly,” Hughes said.

He said that those who registered during the first week of the exercise would likely receive their cards first.

Hughes said the new cards should be collected from the same registration unit where the application was made.

“Well we are aiming for this week, at least for the first set which would have been the week of the 12th to the 16th, so we are aiming for those during the course of this week. We had 1,365 that week followed by 1,581 the second week. We would have completed the third week, 1,263, which would have been last week so we are now in the fourth week.

“So those cards from week one, we are working to have those in the hands of the registration officers this week so they could start the process of calling persons to come and collect the cards,” Hughes noted.

He stressed the importance of individuals personally collecting their card.

“Similarly to voting when you have to go in person, you cannot send anyone. You cannot send someone to collect your card; the registration officer is the person who is responsible for ensuring that once the card is ready they will give you a phone call so that you can come and collect the card. You cannot send anyone.

“You would have to have that discussion with the registration officer and the officer may, depending on their workload, be in a position to have that card brought to you,” he continued. “They would deliver that card to you but it must be a special circumstance. Someone may be ill, someone may have some sort of challenge and of course that is entirely up to the discretion of the registration officer.”

Hughes added, “So you can’t send anybody with your hand or you can’t send them with your documents – that is not going to happen at all. Remember we take your biometrics and we’re taking fingerprints, we’re taking your signature, we’re scanning your documents, we’re taking your photo -these are all things that we do in terms of ensuring that we capture your demographics and of course your fingerprint.”