The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is again urging citizens to renew their expired Voter ID cards, as turnout for the year-long renewal campaign remains low.

ABEC Public Relations Officer Elisa Graham said only around 16,600 of an estimated 40,000 individuals with expired cards have come forward.

“We understand some people may have passed away, travelled, or are studying overseas,” she said, noting the Commission hopes to reach more individuals returning home for summer.

Graham encouraged the public to take advantage of improved processing times. “Cards are now printed weekly, and registration officers are actively calling people to collect them.”

The Voter ID card is required not only for elections but also for official transactions at businesses and government offices.

The renewal process, launched on 12 August 2024, is available in all 17 constituencies. It takes about seven minutes and requires the expired ID card, a valid government-issued ID, proof of address, and any marital status updates.

Updated cards include a new photo, signature, and fingerprint validation, and are typically ready for collection within three weeks.