Govt Reaffirms Commitment For Absentee Voting
[Updated] The Ministry for the Cabinet Office has “reaffirmed the Government’s election platform commitment to introducing absentee voting through a comprehensive process of electoral reform and has invited the Opposition to join in developing a unified and responsible approach.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, Diallo V. Rabain, confirmed that he has written to the Leader of the Opposition last week, formally requesting the withdrawal of the Opposition’s Absentee Voting Bill 2025 to allow for collaborative work on a bipartisan bill that is inclusive, secure, fair, and sustainable.”
Minister Rabain said, “Ensuring that every eligible Bermudian student who wishes to vote can do so, no matter where they are, is a principle we fully support and why electoral reform was in our election platform.
“When we make changes to how Bermudians vote, we must do so in a way that is carefully researched, well-designed, and built to last. This means working closely with the Parliamentary Registrar, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the public to ensure the process is both inclusive and secure.”
The Government spokesperson said, “The Attorney General’s Chambers has reviewed the Opposition’s proposal and identified several legal and operational concerns, including potential conflicts with existing election law and the absence of administrative procedures that would ensure proper implementation. The Minister emphasized that the Parliamentary Registrar, whose office would have to carry out the work, was not adequately consulted before the Opposition’s Bill was tabled.”
Minister Rabain said, “Introducing absentee voting is not something that can be rushed. Our responsibility is to strengthen democracy. We are already doing the work to deliver Electoral Reform, which will include absentee voting the right way through consultation, planning, and sound administration.”
The Government spokesperson said, “The Government had begun engagement with the Parliamentary Registrar prior to the OBA’s bill being tabled and, more recently, with young Bermudians studying overseas, and broader consultations with the public and political stakeholders will follow in the coming weeks.
“Minister Rabain confirmed that the Government’s goal is clear: broader electoral reform, including absentee voting, will be in place by September 2026.
“He also underscored that absentee voting is part of a much broader effort to modernise Bermuda’s democratic processes through comprehensive electoral reform. This broader reform agenda will include:
- Implementing absentee voting for Bermudian students overseas,
- Establishing clear and transparent standards for political parties and campaign financing,
- Keeping the voters’ rolls accurate, private, and transparent,
- Embracing practical modernisation of the electoral systems and technology, and
- Setting consistent and fair rules for polling day administration.
Minister Rabain said, “Our goal is to modernize Bermuda’s elections in a way that enhances participation and trust. We have reached out to the Opposition to be part of this process, because electoral reform should not be partisan or rushed.
“Every political party in Bermuda agrees that absentee voting for our young people studying overseas must happen. We have an opportunity to combine our collective expertise and deliver a system that works for everyone.”
Update Nov 4, 5.23pm: An OBA spokesperson said, “Why has it taken the Government nearly six weeks to desire collaboration when the issue of absentee voting has been on the heart of Bermudians for years, questions Opposition Leader Robert King.
“This coming in after the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Diallo V. Rabain saying he welcomed collaboration with the Opposition regarding electoral reform.
“The One Bermuda Alliance tabled the Absentee Voting Bill 2025 on September 26 and we’ve heard nothing from the Government until now. Is it because the public has been supporting us?”
Mr King said, “It has not yet shared any specific concerns with us so it is not possible to address this statement in detail. However, we welcome amendments from the Government to adjust the Bill as necessary.”
The spokesperson said, “Regarding Mr Rabain saying the Bill lacked the absence of administrative procedures that would ensure proper implementation, Mr King sets the record straight: This is misleading. The Bill purposefully delegates the formulation of those procedures and regulations to the Minister and the Parliamentary Registrar as is normal for many Bills passed by Government.
“In response to Mr Rabain saying the OBA did not consult with the Parliamentary Registrar when drafting the Bill, Mr King clarifies: “The Registrar does not need to be consulted on whether or not Bermudians normally resident in Bermuda ought to be able to vote even they have to be away. There will be time in the future for the Registrar and the Minister to work out technical details.
“Mr King also refutes the claim that the Bill is moving too fast.”
Mr. King said, “This is hardly rushed. Absentee voting was promised by the OBA prior to February’s election, the PLP then followed suit. That was nine months ago. The Government has also had sight of this Bill for a month and a half.
“They only reached out as a response to us tabling the Absentee Voting Bill. Otherwise there would not even be this public conversation. There is no intention for the OBA to withdraw this Bill.”
To work together. Makes sense. Get busy and get it done.
You must be new here. Working together, making sense and getting things done aren’t things our government has a good track record of LOL
“Introducing absentee voting is not something that can be rushed.”
In other words… “Introducing absentee voting is politically disadvantageous to the PLP, so it will be dragged out as long as possible so as to minimise the risk it poses to the party’s hold on power.”
There, fixed it for you.
The PLP have put themselves into a corner with this. It’s a lose-lose for the party and Bermuda as a whole. The longer they drag their heels with this, the greater the lose-lose scenario becomes.
The PLP loses goodwill because they follow their track record of lofty promises without delivery or results, and the rest of Bermuda loses due to a large number of Bermudians not being able to engage with the democratic process.
The PLP has reaffirmed its commitment to independence from Britain for more than 60 years. I expect the PLP Government to demonstrate the same dedication to absentee voting as it has to independence.