Chief Elections Officer to vacate office

Williams. Photo by GIS

Dominica will soon be in search of a new Chief Elections Officer.

The present holder of that position for a number of years, Merina Williams, has confirmed that she will soon be vacating the office since she would have, according to the Constitution, reached “the prescribed age”, said to be 55 years.

According to the Dominica Constitution, section 87 (1) “the Chief Elections Officer shall be appointed by the President, acting after consultation with the Electoral Commission.”

The Constitution further states that at 87 (2), “If the office of the Officer is vacant or if the holder of that office is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, the President, acting after consultation with the Electoral Commission, may appoint a person to act in that office”.

DNO has been informed that Steven Larocque has already been appointed to act in that post, according to the provisions of section 87 of the Constitution.

Williams will however remain in the Public Service until she reaches the age of retirement from the service.

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26 Comments

  1. Aye Dominique
    March 8, 2012

    Boy that one take me….Ms. Williams is 55!!!! I worked with Ms. Williams for some time and may I say very pleasant individual, serious about her duties….this is really what you call an asset.

    Btw…re. her youth I hope you all saw the MS. infront of her name….this is why she so darn young….I intend to stay just like you Ms. Williams….your make-up always well done, your face always looking young and you always spic and spang….when you go at your home no stress….lol

    That’s the recipe for youth, not botox and all these surgeries

    On a more serious note, they should not allow this lady to leave, they should do something to keep her in this position….this is a true professional!!

    Sweet woman!

  2. patriot
    March 8, 2012

    GIVE ME A BRAKE
    IS THIS NEWS ?

    • LOL!
      March 9, 2012

      You want a brake? check out wykees auto napa

  3. BIG
    March 8, 2012

    @ A Voice,

    Ron Green and other UWP’s had American-passports up to the elections in 2009.

    Give the PM a brake man. The elections was free & fair 18-3!

    • EMILE Zpatos
      March 9, 2012

      NEWS FLASH .RON GREEN ,IF THAT IS HIS NAME ‘IS AN AMERICAN.HE DENOUNCED HIS DOMINICAN CITIZENSHIP TO BECOME AN AMERICAN.

  4. A Voice
    March 8, 2012

    I wish Mrs. Williams best of luck on her future endevours.

    This may be a little un-related but what I do not understand is that if there is an Election Commission which is responsible for the integrity of general elections, why then did they not conduct an investigation to see whether the allegations of individuals submitting ‘false’ documents to them is true or not?

    I just never understood why the onus was on the Opposition alone. I would like to believe as a Commission that they had the interest and authority to investigate claims of elections fraud.

    Disclaimer: Hey I am not saying that Skerrit and them have French passport or not. I am just asking whether the Commission had the authority to conduct an investigation.

  5. BIG
    March 7, 2012

    55, and still SWEET! :-P

  6. Anonymous
    March 7, 2012

    Has anyone thought to ask themselves, what age was Ms. Williams when the picture above was taken?

    • isupport
      March 7, 2012

      I think she looks her stated age of 55. Being that age myself I could put any 35 year old in the shade. Clean living and staying away from bagay sal will do that for you. Malparlan!

  7. Not a herd follower
    March 7, 2012

    Ms.Williams is a pleasant person. I wish her well. It’s a downright shame that the Government has stubbornly refused to implement her recommendations to improve the integrity of elections.

    And for those who says how well she looks: it’s the melanin and the ready smile.

  8. reform
    March 7, 2012

    No Election Reform under her watch as Chief Elections Officer. It was the Electoral Commission that recommended reforms years ago. I wonder how she felt? Disappointed? Will Dominicans see signs of reforms, money to the Electoral Commission to provide Voter ID cards and to clean up the bloated Voters’ List? So everything alright with our electoral process?
    Different sections of society would agree changes are needed for the good of democracy in Dominica.

    So why after so long, no signs of reform? Would the new Chief be instrumental in seeing that happen? Well, he is just another ordinary Civil Servant who may not have any influence over the “Independent Electoral Commission.” Anything wrong with those comments DNO?

  9. burt dave
    March 7, 2012

    jsut lookd at the picture and you certainly make 55 look young, keep it up

  10. burt dave
    March 7, 2012

    Ms Williams I think this is a job that carries the weight of public scrutiny, and I must say that during your reign in this office you tried your best not to bring the office in disrepute.
    The Government has the authourity to amend the cnstitution to extend the age limit for the position just like they did for the auditor general Mr Christian or what about offering you a contract like they did to the former Cabinet secretary, the CXC lady they gave the duty free SUV and the others that we do not know about.This being said let me wish you well in whatever other position that you are afforded to save the state. God’s blessings be with you.

  11. Jacky Chan
    March 7, 2012

    The opposition should have ordered some bottles of wisky to send out ( I am not saying where or to whom).Once the wisky go to the right person booom electoral commission taken care off. Me and Sog Fly go join the opposition!!!!!. There must be Rum in electoral reform garcon

  12. March 7, 2012

    hhhmmm still looking hot at 55 :-P

  13. Gee
    March 7, 2012

    This is CRAZY!! How are we retiring workers so early. Social security will go bankrupt!!

    That’s one of the problems Greece had. We need to review these guidelines in the constitution.

    Anyway Ms.Williams, happy retirement!!

    • Amazed
      March 7, 2012

      Obviously some of us don’t read, we just scan the news articles…did anyone say she was retiring?

  14. Matriculation
    March 7, 2012

    so they passing laws to have people get socila security at age 65 and they not amending the constitution to coincide with it. What a ‘clever’ way to manage a system.

  15. dixson thomas
    March 7, 2012

    Something smells fishy
    Are they not tell us something or did we missed it..?
    “We are appointing according to our own kind”
    “We need to put one of our easily manipulated party friend to fill that position”
    Why are we suddenly so constitution conscious
    Respecting the role of law, here is new one
    I thought the untouchables were above all rule of law (constitution)
    Interesting

  16. election reform now
    March 7, 2012

    The “Independent” Electoral Commission as well as The Chief Elections Officer have been disrespected Big time. About 7 Years now, if not more, the Commission recommended Electoral Reforms. Requested funds from Govt. to provide Voter ID cards and to clean up the unclean Voters’ List. Up to today, No money from Govt. for the Commission to do its work, to ensure Free and Fair Elections. Not a cent. Nothing.

    Williams will go, another will be appointed by the President, yet Election Reform will continue to evade us. The President is aware of the recommendations from the Electoral Commission for sure. People are wondering why no reform? Reforms in education, local Govt., fiscal issues, but no signs of Electoral Reform to better our election process. Dominicans know of the influences stalling that recommendation from the Commission.

  17. tata
    March 7, 2012

    Whats the BIG deal, time up. DNO you getting Q,

  18. charlo
    March 7, 2012

    well, at least somebody sticking to the constitution…

  19. 1979 eTErNAL
    March 7, 2012

    The president to appoint!!! hmmmmmm More miseh for Dominicans.

  20. Copycat
    March 7, 2012

    55 and you out

  21. ???
    March 7, 2012

    ‘Prescribed age’ of what?

  22. Lady love
    March 7, 2012

    Ms. Williams I wish you well whereever you take up your post. I enjoyed working with you. You look darn well for 55. Want to be like you when I reach that age.

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