Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities: Antigua and Barbuda - www.electionaccess.org Text Only Version
Back to the Americas  
  Best Practices: IFES and other groups have implemented innovative practices around the world.
Laws and Regulations:  A country-by-country analysis of election laws, constitutions and regulations, and how these affect citizens with disabilities.     Publications  
   
   

Antigua and Barbuda

General Right to Vote
Electoral Law:
(1975)
• See section 8.

Exclusion Based on Mental Disability
Constitution:
(31 July 1981)
• Section 30 disqualifies from appointments as Senators any person who "…(d) is a person certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law."
• Section 39 disqualifies from election as a member of the House any person who "…(d) is a person certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law."

Exclusion Based on Physical Disability
Constitution:
(31 July 1981)
• Under qualifications for appointment as Senators, section 29 states that "subject to the provisions of section 30 of this Constitution any person who at the date of his appointment…(c) is able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read the English language with sufficient proficiency to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the Senate."
• Under qualifications for election as a member of the House, section 38 states that "subject to the provisions of section 39 of this Constitution any person who at the date of his election…(c) is able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read the English language with sufficient proficiency to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the House."

Voter Assistance By Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(1975)
• Section 11, subsection 1 states that "all persons voting as electors…shall do so in person at the polling station…except…for those unable…to do so in person for one of the following reasons: …(iii) that a person is unable or likely to be unable by reason of blindness to vote unaided."
Poll Worker Training:
(June 1993)
• Under section Blind or Illiterate Voters, Rule 44 states that "if a blind voter makes an application to the Presiding Officer to be allowed to vote with the assistance of another person by whom he is accompanied, the Presiding Officer shall require the voter to declare orally whether he is so incapacitated by his blindness as to be unable to vote without assistance."
• This section continues, "If the presiding officer is satisfied that the voter is so incapacitated and is also satisfied by a declaration made by the 'companion of the blind voter' Rule 45 (2) that the companion is qualified person and has not previously assisted any other blind person to vote at the election, then anything which the blind voter is required to do shall be done by his companion

Off-Site Voting Alternatives:
Electoral Law:
(1975)
• Section 11, subsection 2 states that those mentioned in paragraphs (i) and (ii) may vote by proxy, but has no mention of special provisions for blind citizens mentioned in paragraph (iii).


 
  Laws and Regulations:  A country-by-country analysis of election laws, constitutions and regulations, and how these affect citizens with disabilities.
  Rights and Standards:  IFES and other groups have drafted global standards on the electoral rights of citizens with disabilities.
  Best Practices: IFES and other groups have implemented innovative practices around the world.
  Publications
  Contacts and Links