St. John’s Antigua …. Wednesday 17th June 2026….. The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is participating in the 13th Annual Meeting of Election Management Bodies (EMBs), a high-level international forum being held at the Hilton Hotel in Batumi, Georgia, from June 17–18, 2026.
ABEC’s representatives at the meeting are: Member of the Commission Mr. Alrick Daniel and Public Relations Officer Mrs. Elisa Graham. The twin island state is the only Caribbean territory of 20 participating countries represented.
The annual meeting convenes election officials, policymakers, governance experts, and representatives of Election Management Bodies from across the world to examine the growing challenges and opportunities presented by disinformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and social media within the electoral environment. This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Disinformation Strategies, Artificial Intelligence, and the Role of Social Networks in Information Integrity,” reflecting the increasing importance of safeguarding democratic institutions in an era of rapidly evolving digital communication technologies.
Throughout the two-days, delegates will engage in a series of expert-led discussions and policy-focused sessions examining the complex relationship between information integrity and electoral administration.
One of the central discussions focuses on “Electoral Processes Under Pressure: The Influence of Disinformation,” which explores the ways in which coordinated disinformation campaigns can influence voter behaviour, shape public perception, and weaken confidence in electoral institutions and outcomes.
Another key session, “Disinformation as a Policy Challenge: Mechanisms, Drivers, and Implications,” examines disinformation as a systemic issue requiring coordinated responses across government agencies, election institutions, technology companies, civil society organizations, and the media.
The conference’s third major session, “Artificial Intelligence and Social Networks in Electoral Processes: Opportunities and Risks,” will explore the transformative impact of emerging technologies on election administration. Discussions will examine how AI can be used to improve voter education, support data analysis, enhance operational efficiency, and facilitate more effective engagement with the electorate.
Delegates will also discuss how social media platforms influence political communication and voter engagement, while assessing strategies to balance innovation with accountability, transparency, and democratic safeguards.
For the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, participation in the conference represents an important opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity and remain informed about emerging global trends affecting election management. The knowledge and expertise gained through engagement with international colleagues will support the Commission’s ongoing efforts to enhance voter education initiatives, improve strategic communications, strengthen public trust, and safeguard the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s electoral processes.
Commenting on the significance of the meeting, Commission Member Mr. Alrick Daniel and Public Relations Officer Mrs. Elisa Graham jointly stated:
“The challenges facing electoral institutions today extend far beyond the traditional administration of elections. Disinformation, rapidly advancing technologies, and the increasing influence of digital platforms require Election Management Bodies to be proactive, informed, and responsive. Participation in this conference allows us to learn from the experiences of our international counterparts, examine innovative approaches to protecting electoral integrity, and contribute to important discussions on the future of democratic governance. We look forward to the insights and practical recommendations from these sessions to assist in strengthening public confidence, enhancing voter engagement, and ensuring that our electoral processes remain transparent, credible, and resilient in an evolving information age.”
Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Graham will also present a case study from Antigua and Barbuda’s standpoint on the topic “Architecting Public Resilience against Disinformation”.
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission remains steadfast in its mandate to administer free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. Through participation in international forums, the Commission continues to invest in professional development, institutional strengthening, and the adoption of best practices that support democratic governance and electoral excellence.