Attorney and United Workers Party (UWP) Salisbury candidate Cara Shillingford is urging Dominicans to complete their voter confirmation without delay, warning that the process is more complicated than it appears and that unexpected documentation issues could leave latecomers unable to finish in time.
«The process isn't as simple as it looks,» Shillingford said, according to remarks reported during a public meeting. She told voters that waiting until the final days of the confirmation period risks running into problems that cannot be resolved quickly, and that acting now is the safest way to ensure a place on the register.
Shillingford, an attorney by profession, said her concern is practical rather than political. She noted that confirmation requires specific documents and that even small discrepancies — a missing paper, an outdated record, or a name that does not match official files — can stall an application. Those who leave it late may find themselves unable to correct such issues before the deadline.
The UWP candidate's message comes as election preparations continue across Dominica, with parties and the Electoral Commission encouraging eligible voters to verify their details. Shillingford said she has already heard from residents in Salisbury and nearby communities who assumed the process would take only minutes, only to discover otherwise.
She urged voters not to rely on second-hand information or to assume that confirmation can be completed on the spot. Instead, she advised them to gather their documents early, visit the relevant office or officer, and follow up until they receive confirmation that their registration is in order.
Shillingford also appealed to family members and community leaders to help elderly residents and those with limited access to information. She said young people who are registering for the first time should pay particular attention, since they may be less familiar with the requirements.
The Salisbury constituency is among those expected to be closely watched in the next general election. Shillingford's intervention adds to a growing chorus of voices across the island reminding Dominicans that the right to vote depends on being properly registered.
She said her campaign will continue to provide guidance to anyone who needs help understanding the confirmation steps, and she repeated her call for voters to act immediately rather than wait for a reminder that may come too late.
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