Prime Minister Gaston Browne has acknowledged disparities in voter distribution across constituencies but maintained that any adjustments to electoral boundaries must be handled by the Boundaries Commission.
Speaking in Parliament, Browne was pressed by opposition members on whether he was concerned about the lack of voter parity in Antigua and Barbuda’s electoral system. While he admitted that some constituencies are significantly larger than others, he emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Boundaries Commission—not the government—to address such issues.
“It is not for me to preempt the process,” Browne said. “The Boundaries Commission will determine where the inequities lie and how best to ensure greater voter parity.”
Opposition MPs have raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral system, arguing that significant population imbalances among constituencies could impact representation. Some districts reportedly have thousands more registered voters than others, leading to calls for boundary adjustments.
“The Prime Minister acknowledges the disparity, yet offers no clear solution,” one opposition member stated. “This is a matter of democracy, and we need a timeline for action.”
The Boundaries Commission, an independent body responsible for reviewing electoral districts, is expected to conduct consultations and present recommendations. Any changes to constituency sizes or boundaries would require parliamentary approval.
Despite the concerns raised, Browne insisted that the process must follow due procedure and reiterated that any changes would be made based on the Commission’s findings.
With no immediate timeline for adjustments, voter parity remains a contentious issue ahead of the next general election.
