Those who opposed amendments to the House of Assembly (Electoral) Act are claiming victory after Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced on Thursday that debate on the matter in parliament will be adjourned without further considerations.
The Prime Minister made the announcement on the controversial amendments in an address to the nation, saying it was the best thing to do to due to threats by those who oppose them and to avoid confrontation.
“I have today advised the Honourable Speaker of the House, that Parliament should re-convene as agreed tomorrow morning, but adjourned without further consideration of matters of the Order Paper,” he stated.
The amendments were staunchly opposed by the opposition on the basis that they will legalize bribery and treating which are electoral offences in Dominica.
Opposers gathered around parliament on Tuesday to express their greviances. At one point the police fired warning shots when protest attempted to storm barricades around the building.
After the Prime Minister’s announcement, opposers of the amendments quickly took to social media to claim victory.
“Victory to the many brave Dominincans who stood their ground… Power to the people,” one person wrote on Facebook.
Another wrote, “Power to the People.. a law like that would make Dominicans be the Laughing stalk of the Caribbean.”
But not everyone seemed to be happy about the entire matter.
“These protesters I don’t think they know their head from their foot and I even wonder if they know what they’re protesting about,” one person wrote.
Others believe the Prime Minister made the right decision.
“Great job pm God bless you,” one person wrote, while another said, “That’s how a real man thinks…..blessings Pm.”
The voters Id card i think thats a good thing but as a Dominican to the bone i don’t think any police polling stataion people can stop me from voting. With out that its good for Dominican for indentifecation reson for example before you carry a passport it much easier.People have to understand that people vote definite ways party prime minister representative as a Labour the last election i would have vote for the man who represent uwp in my constituency the last election.but am a Labour rights.
Trust me. Come election, Bill or no Bill, It will be business as usual. UWP can’t stop reggae. So what is the victory? BS.
I love to see true patriots come out to do the right thing.
You guys are fools if you think this is a victory. the battle is not yet over. It has just begun. the debates have only been suspended. you cannot relax now and think is is the end.
Statements about victory are too quick. The amendment has not been withdrawn and is likely to resurface at a later date.. There seems to be massive opposition to the amendment so regardless of partisan political positions the people with assistance of the political opposition should prepare and submit a properly worded petition to the Government to put this matter to rest
What victory? Get real. Not discussing it today doesn\’t mean it won\’t be discussed again. This man cares about the citizens of the the country unlike jealous Linton who puts the citizens in harms way , while he is in jacket and tie under ac. Get real
@Get real, think on it a bit..if PM genuinely cared about more than he did care about staying in Power, do you think an unnecessary bill like that one would come to the house?
That man is a Wolf in Lambs attire..wickedness must not prevail in Dominica
…*genuinely cared about Dominicans..
I have already told u all labourites “if this is how UWP can feel good let them feel good. But head makes books”.
I never see some people hungry for victory so and the victory they looking for for the last 17 years not coming and not anywhere close to them. Hahahaha.
So claim victory workers.
Lennox falls for every trap set for him. And at the end PM is complements by PERSONS WHO MATTERS.
On the other hand only UWP complement them self. Hahahaha.
You ever heard anyone except a workers or support them UWP for anything they do?
So how is that good for a party?
Look at the people who supports them. Only retirees. No young people present only people who on borrowed time of soon gone. How can they make decision for we the young people who is up and coming. We know wat we want this is y we standing with our young PM and not a 66 years old man. PM and his ministers are young. They think like we young people. And learn from the sensible seniors. Dats y they say…
If “thumbdowns” could cure your ignorance, I would wish you received your full prescription here, but sadly that alone can’t fix your problem. This is not simply a partisan issue..this is not DLP vs. UWP..this is a country issue.
Skerrit is the worse example of a PM in the Western Hemisphere because of his inability to move Dominica forward after 14 years of leadership and also his cunning and deceptive nature characterized through the manifestation of his mingling with crooks and questions surrounding his now colossal wealth accumulation ..Ironically you speak of “young ppl”, the very same people that are being denied a viable future due to the lack of vision of the current administration under the “win or lose” strategy of the young leader.
Shame that you join your voice to ridicule senior citizens standing up for truth and justice..SAD!!
victory?
you all will see when skewo run to parliament at 2am in the morning and pass that law while Dominicans asleep…remember I said so
While I thank, congratulate, and respect the patriotic Dominicans who put their lives on the altar in defense of our country, let me say that this is not a victory for the UWP or the DLP but a huge victory for Dominica! Yes those who left their busy schedules to come and defend their country when they knew they would be surrounded by an armed army ready for the call and the possibility of parliamentarians armed with guns, they have every reason to celebrate! Based on talk on the block the coward got a very frightening call from the US and like a dog in danger, he had to back out. Boss is just a matter of time! How long? Not too long and the people of Dominica will begin to sing songs of victory and deliverance
Dominicans are getting it right finally. The government must respect the voice of the people.
The government must have an islandwide educational campaign about the amendments n get the reaction of the people. The people must have a say. Consultation is key.
So in the meantime, the people must stand up firm to the government. They must never give up the fight for freedom.
The pm must will and come again… All the time, they were working on the ammendments to the law. You see another big problem in Dominca is this spineless AG. This Attorney General has nothing to show for all those years of playing dolly house.
Congrats opposition for exposing the government. Great questions ask by Mr Linton. Keep it up.
Sad state of DA. Folks need to look in the mirror.
Why is the Pm blaming the leader/s of the opposition because right thinking Dominicans stood up for their democratic rights? The leader/s of the opposition was/were in Parliament at the time. Horray to Balah, Congoree and Jacko.
many many many thanks to the people who stood up and was determine to the end. History will record your efforts. Now we MUST STAND UP STRONGER AND STRONGER enough IS ENOUGH
One down many more to go!!!
if there is a victory ,then it is a victory for Dominica .
There will be those who will claim that discontinuation of the amendments is not a victory for those who opposed it but it was a great victory for the UWP Team Dominica and all those who supported their effort.
I believe that the UWP Team Dominica and supporters must continue to call for Electoral Form including VOTER IDENTIFICATION, CLEANING OF THE ELECTORAL LIST, CAMPAIGN FINANCE, TWO TERMS FOR PRIME MINISTER, PROTECTING VOTERS FROM ELECTORAL TREATING AND BRIBERY … ETC, ETC
Congratulations to Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Honorable Lennox Linton and all those who supported the cause to protect and preserve our democracy… GOD BLESS YOU ALL… the battle to protect and preserve our democracy continues
Electoral Reform
Dominica, seems to be on a slope of mass confrontation with the Gov’t, paramilitary and the people in a tense standoff.Now this doesn’t bode well for the country as a whole moving forward, we are dealing with the politics of poverty, having an electorate who needs clear vision of a tomorrow that seems farfetched . all the discourses are based around citizen by investment monies which seems to be the backbone of all national spendings. The prime minister needs to dialogue with the people , taking into consideration,the great divide that is presently current, if not , the time bomb is ticking with an implosion on the horizon. At the end of the day , the ruling forces and the opposition will have to take the brunt of the blame, pettycism,innuendo’and schisms seems to be propelling actions as we speak. History have not played Dominica with a great hand of cards, but more like a domino effect, the future will be guide and answers.Bob.Hotep.
Its not always the size of the crowd,but the determination and willingness of the protesters….However i am still calling on citizens who love Dominica,now that skerrit seem to be profusely against protest,,,LETS PROTEST….
MY BOOTS WILL BE POLISHED AND PUT TO BED,,till the next protest..Hope it is soon..
-SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
You, %, Got a serious problem and need help.
> If I as a DLP supporter transport you from Roseau to Grand Fond and Thompson convince you to Vote UWP , Thompson shall be taken to court.
> If DLP using Government money buy you a airline ticket to come over to Dominica to Vote DLP and a UWP supporter convince you to vote UWP that supporter shall be taken to court
PM / DLP / Astaphan why are you all view Dominicans as fools? is it because they are quiet? Remember there is always a claim before the storm!!
Take a good look at THEM! One wonders if they really know what THEY are doing other than following the orders of a maniac fighting to gain POWER.
I thought the same. Lennox spoke to them and spurred them on. They would not have been there if it were not for Lennox. He staged the protest to create trouble.
I don’t see this as victory, because the amendment was not voted in at Parliament. Adjourned without consideration does make it a victory.
Also, will not the “election process continues in it same mode? So nothing has changed. And so the next UWP decides to bark about “election reform” they will be reminded that they declined on what was put before them–they cannot have their own way, unless they are the Government at Work
Its not a victory but its a moral blow for the cunning dictator! He had no choice given the growing concern of the region and the international community of the level of discontent in little Dominica!
Come on. The opposition’s position was to prevebt the amendment from going through at any cost. So how is this not a victory. They got what the wanted.
I see… that makes sense. Then the bark will have no meaning… as the public was made VERY aware of the bite.
No freedom of speech… coming to a D/ca near you…
Victory because we got what we wanted
the law which U all are trying to pass can’t go through never will,
U call UR. Self gracefulandwiselining4Elohim, but Elohim tells us in the book of Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the EVIL and the GOOD
Elohim saw who put the fire at St. Aromant on Christmas morning 2010 at the home of the 2 elderly citizen and he will deal with them at the right time, who laugh last laugh the best!
Wow you people are truly brainwashed!!! Like really, learn to analyze things for yourselves stop repeating crap about UWP barking for reform and now don’t want to accept what they were asking for…. your really believe that’s the electoral reform that’s UWP has been asking for. Pathetic set of fools!
You are right that it was not a victory, as the bill can be taken up again. Meanwhile, is this a “victory” that the UWP would put on its resumé, impeding Parliamentary action with mobs and handguns? As always, a bill to clarify that busing one’s own supporters to the polls is not bribery, is not controversial–apparently Labour is organised enough to do so and the UWP is not. Conducting a session without the public, without media reporters, and muzzling the minority, is surely controversial. The charge that Labour would “bus” supporters in North America back to Dominica to vote was absurd. It would be dumb for Labour to squander its campaign contributions on airfare, but not bribery! But why do Labour act as though they are guilty of something?
hi
this is just the beginning
Hip,hip hooray to the opposition UWP and it’s patriotic supporters for this tremendous victory in Dominican democracy today.From the opposition members beating the madam speaker at her old game because they were prepared by knowing the rules of parliament to the education of the people about the evil plans of this corrupt government, which saw that a few determined people can have a great impact on a dictator.Skerritt’s first mistake was to kick the press out of parliament, because although the press did not think that this was dangerous and report on it the rest of the Democratic world and the region decided they had seen and heard enough of this one man government and he was warned.This victory saves Dominica from falling into the crevice that Venezuela is in right now.Stay prepared,stay vigilant and prepare wisely for the end of Skerritt is neater than you think.God bless Dominica
Keep on dreaming.Thats how you guys want get in power ,that will never happen .If he call’s elections now the DLP will still win.
It was about time for the Dominican people to stand up.
people know your constitutional and democratic rights.
Enough is enough.
THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE IS GREATER THAN THE PEOPLE IN POWER.
THE END IS NEAR.
JJ you serious? A victory indeed. But Skerrit is still p[rime Minister and will remain so until God and the people decide. The decision to postpone was a wise one. The criminal elements among the small crowd of people (remember those who blocked the road in Salisbury and were charging a toll to vehicles for safe passage) could have inflicted a tremendous amount of damage to the country as the evidence of later showed. Can you imagine what chaos and confusion, violence that would envelope Dominica if Mr. Skerrit’s supporters became aggrieved by what was taking place in Dominica? And the police! 56 reported sick on the same day and there was no public health alert. So PM Skerrit decided to stand down the draft amendments and now give the opposition another opportunity to provide details of their proposals. Mean time he will take his own proposals to the people across Dominica. WE go see! Its a victory yes, for those who oppose. But it is far from over. Skerrit is still PM. Hip hip…
What victory…….Skerrit is a running Pm and scared of the force and maturity of the UWP. Skerrit can huff and puff and talk with a long tongue but he shall be moved……
Skerrit must Go
Do you think you would have been able to take him out after passing the Bill? You and all those who are silent about this should thank the protestors. Because absolute power is dangerous. The PM is a hypocrite for calling protestors mobsters and while he had the chance to stand against a real mobster in parliament, he and all his colleagues kept trying to twist the request from Joseph Isaac. We need to be real… I am a supporter of the DLP and I do not support the bill neither a representative coming to Parliament with a gun. We must understand that if the Government will not allow the people to protest peacefully, they will protest with violence. God forbid that the country does not resort to violence. God bless my Beautiful island and leaders.
What you taking bout I see no victory there that was not even debated yet PM skater than that novice we have all you
Hip hip for them jack donkeys with no good leadership where them to stand outside Parliament with you all. Sending all you but they staying back where Copiel Ango MATT Athie where them