On June 17, 2026, the 13th Annual Meeting of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) kicked off at Batumi, Georgia’s Hilton Hotel, bringing together electoral leaders from 20 nations across the globe to address one of the most pressing threats to modern democratic processes: disinformation. Running through June 18, the high-level international forum has drawn a unique participant from the Caribbean region: the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), the only representative from the entire Caribbean among attending delegations. ABEC’s delegation is led by Commission member Alrick Daniel and Public Relations Officer Elisa Graham, who will not only take part in key discussions but also share the twin-island nation’s own experiences in addressing disinformation risks.
Over the two-day summit, delegates will participate in a packed schedule of expert-facilitated dialogues and policy workshops centered on the tangled interplay between information integrity and election administration. The agenda is anchored by two core sessions tailored to unpack the multifaceted disinformation challenge. The first, titled “Electoral Processes Under Pressure: The Influence of Disinformation”, delves into how coordinated false information campaigns can skew voter decision-making, manipulate public opinion, and erode public trust in both electoral institutions and their official outcomes. The second high-priority session, “Disinformation as a Policy Challenge: Mechanisms, Drivers, and Implications”, frames disinformation as a systemic problem that demands coordinated, cross-sector action spanning government agencies, independent election bodies, global technology platforms, civil society groups, and professional media outlets.
For ABEC, attending this global forum is far more than a diplomatic engagement—it is a strategic investment in strengthening the commission’s institutional capacity to protect the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s electoral system. By connecting with international electoral peers and accessing the latest research and best practices, the delegation will bring back actionable insights to advance the commission’s ongoing work: from expanding and improving voter education programs to refining strategic communications, rebuilding public confidence, and hardening electoral processes against emerging information threats. In addition to their participation in plenary and breakout sessions, Daniel and Graham will deliver a case study presentation focused on Antigua and Barbuda’s approach to “Architecting Public Resilience against Disinformation”, sharing the nation’s on-the-ground lessons with the global community.
In a joint statement released ahead of the summit, Daniel and Graham emphasized the shifting landscape that modern election management bodies must navigate. “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,” they said. “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.”
ABEC has long held a core mandate to deliver free, fair, transparent, and credible elections for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Engagement in international collaborative forums like the 13th Annual Meeting of EMBs is a key part of the commission’s ongoing commitment to professional development, institutional strengthening, and the adoption of global best practices that advance democratic governance and electoral excellence in the nation.