Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has vowed to defend the right of Dominicans who live overseas to vote in elections in this country.
Skerrit was speaking this morning at a meeting held by the government with visiting Dominicans.
“And let me tell you something. As long as I am prime minister of this country and from what some people are telling me, it will be for a very long time to come, we shall defend your right under the constitution of Dominica, to vote in Dominica’s election,” the prime minister told the gathering. “We will defend your right because it is a right and there is no institution in this country that has any legal or constitutional authority to remove your name on the voters list unless you are a dead person in Dominica because voting is too much of an important, fundamental right.”
Skerrit went on to say, “People die to vote, people shed blood to vote and we want to go back to the days when only land owners could vote? No way!”
He added, “We making progress and we have to be progressive in our thinking and we cannot go back to old days. Those who want to go back to the old days, will stay where they are and we’ll continue to move forward.”
The United Workers Party and others who have been involved in a longstanding campaign for electoral reform maintain, based on the Registration of Electors Act, that although some one’s name may be on the elector’s list, they become disqualified to vote if they have been absent from the country for more than five consecutive years.
This point of view is supported by Chapter 2:03, section 7 (c) of the Registration of Electors Act as shown below.
It may seem as if dlp is leading the way to encourage the diasporan vote but it was the uwp who started chartering planes and bringing diasporans home to vote. It was “the right of Dominicans living overseas” at that time. Are we now to believe that since dlp is now in power, it has now become wrong to do so because the same uwp now says its wrong??? When they come to the USA, the people are told they should contribute to Dominica, they are important to its development, it is their right to vote. Is that only for uwp supporters? Dlp supporters are not the only ones who travel home for the sole purpose of voting because right now diasporans are the main contributors to the uwp and the donors are rallying the diasporan voters in case the uwp has not yet told the Dominican public.
I am Dominican out of Dominica and all i can say who feels thé heat knows it and only they should hv thé right To vote
Why should overseas Dominicans who pay taxes to a foreign government and pay no taxes in Dominica be allowed to vote in any government in Dominica who might impose higher taxes on Dominicans living in Dominica
Clearly, Skerrit is in the business of making wrong seem right in this country but merely to favour his continued reign of underdevelopment and malpractice..
In his usual deceptive style, he makes the people think he’s doing it for their sakes..In truth and fact Skerrit has no power to grant or take away voting rights, he doesn’t need to pretend as if he is defending anybody, as it is already written as to how one will qualify to vote. Dominicans don’t need a Hero, what Dominicans need is to wake up..
Skerrit is not a friend of Dominica. He is in self preservation mode now..
All who wants to vote in Dominica has the right to do so, as long as they do not disqualify themselves..What a reckless and irresponsible Leader trying to make ppl believe that they need NOT to be responsible in a country of rules and laws and a constitution. Worse Prime Minister Ever..#joker!! No wonder DA is the laughing stock of the OECS..
Skerrit went on to say, “People die to vote, people shed blood to vote and we want to go back to the days when only land owners could vote? No way!”
If Linton or any member of the UWP had made this statement yesterday, trust me, they would have been arrested already for Inciting violence, especially when we know for a fact that during the 2014 election Skerrit said in Wesley that if they vote UWP the bllod of Dominica will be upon them. This is a serious threat incited by the PM since we know for a fact that people only die and shed blood for votes, when dictators like Skerrit and his friends stealing their votes. So I FLAG this as RED code
Skerrit is a failed Prime Mininister. He does not conduct himself as an intellectual, I guess he is not one as we await to see the and hear the mannerisms in him which would qualify him as such. Skerrit is a failure and he has failed us big time. It is only pomp and style and big useless talk that appears to qualify Skerrit as a head of State. He has failed us. He must Go. Skerrit is now a very desperate man looking for odd schemes to attempt to remain in power with his wicked so called acolytes blindly following him.
Dominicans overseas, please reject, ignore, dismiss, throw out Skerrit from office. He is a failure, our island Domininca is in a very sad state. No development is taking place in Dominica, just talk, talk and more rubbish old talk. Skerrit get Lost, take your corrupt hopeless Labour Bobolist Party government with you. We are fed-up and sick pf your dirty politics.
”People die to vote , people shed blood to vote and we want to go back to the days when only land owners could vote , No way!”
now i really want you to lose the election OK .
I am convinced you have actually lost it . the extreme power thing has really gotten to you, and the only way you can get back your sanity is to be out of politics , the time has come .you’ ve contribute enough
Lets assume you are only reading what was written for you , don’t you proof read it?
where in Dominica’s history, whether as a ”kont’ ( local story telling ) or written on paper have you ever read ”only land owners could vote ”?
Are you talking about”Da” Dominica ? i never hear that before , i have done a lot of reading and interacted with a lot of elders, several family members lived into their late 90’s and they enjoyed relating stories to us young kids , I have never heard that one before .that is why i personally think someone is trying to make you appear as De DR…
Skerrit went on to say, “People die to vote, people shed blood to vote and we want to go back to the days when only land owners could vote? No way!”
This statement by the Prime Minister is very frightening especially when one takes into consideration a similar statement Skerrit made in Wesley, during the 2014 election when he said “If you vote for Linton and the UWP the ‘BLOOD’ of the nation will be on you.”
The question pm must answer is, where in the free world do people die or shed blood to vote, except in countries run by dictators like himself? Most of those countries where people die and shed blood to vote is countries like Venezuela that he is in bed with. Skerrit is sending a very early warning my people and those of you applauding him today, might be the one mourning tomorrow, as it might be your mother, father, sister, brother, niece, nephew or even a cousin might be a victim tomorrow.
This message of Skerrit is Coded RED, which means very DANGEROUS and that’s…
Skerritt is either blind or traveling too much to spend time reading and understanding the full provision in the Constitution regarding eligible voters and what the full provisions are for removing one from the electoral list. With two honorary doctorates isn’t it a shame he can’t understand what is in black and white in the sacred document? Skerritt death is only one provision for removal from the voters list but there are others. No one is trying to prevent Eligible citizens of Dominica from voting. You are throwing red meat to your uninformed base by bringing up this irrelevant point. What’s expected of you is to implement electoral reform and other provisions called for in the post election reports of the esteemed bodies who observed our last two election cycles. You talk about going back to the days when one had to have property to vote. You, pal, are taking Dominica back to dark days with your practice of governance.
I wonder if they took me off that list…I mean, it’s been almost 3 years but who knows
Dominica is surely doomed and will remain impoverished under the tutelage of its present morally depraved, deceitful leader and his feebleminded, servile bodyguards (Cabinet of Ministers). The bribing of the overseas voters with a free plane ride back home has kept Skerrit and his party in power. His political party does no serious fundraising activities. So, where do the millions of dollars to pay for the free airfares of thousands of nationals living in the diaspora come from? You see CORRUPTION ! This is the reason Dominica languishes dead last in economic and infrastructural development in the OECS. Do you ever wonder why complete strangers are given Dominican diplomatic passports or granted the right to sell passports? Can anyone honestly deny that it’s corruption and greed that has the country in this state of nothingness? These “Diasporans” vote for the DLP in exchange for a joyride, but what is joke to the butcher is death to the pig.
Skerrit, you are on your way out and you therefore are attempting to appease good Dominican citizens to fall and follow your Labour Government corrupt practices. That is a shame. I recall some elections ago, it is alleged that you planned, paid for accommodated many Dominicans to come to vote. The fares and bus hiring we understood you initiated. Why did you sir. You are a failed leader and that your people living here just do not trust you, so in order to get the votes, you went down the route of Bobol behaviour, after associated to you by the people of Domininca some 12 years ago. Shame on you sir, you are stained. You are a failed leader and not one that we can be proud of, due to your devious behaviours. You recall the Bin and Fertilizer Bobol you all denied after The Right Hon Linton exposed you all publicly after his professional research exposed your denials, state thievery and lies. That is where we are today. Dominicans overseas, stay away from Skerrit, Run away. Vote UWP
A PM to hat doesn’t respect the constitution of its country is not fit to be PM of the country. Skerrit has to be shown the door!!
Francesco Corallo, Alison Madueke, Alireza Monfared, just to name a few Dominicans entitle to vote and determine my destiny? NO!
Lets be clear, this has nothing to do with citizens’ rights, which are clearly described in our existing legislation, but everything with maintaining Roosevelt Skerrit’s power because of an overwhelming sense of entitlement and a misguided belief that he has been appointed to this post by divine intervention and has all the portents of a classic tragedy. This Dominican shall be happy to cast his vote within the parameters of the existing legal framework.
Shut ur face!! If the law says that you are to be removed if you’re out for more than five years, that’s the law. Who the hell cares who did what?
I’m no fan of the PM but I agree with him. These restriction are backwards. ANY citizen (born or naturalized) should be able to vote as long as he/she is duly resgistered. Irrespective of where in the world he /she resides.
We ask our overseas based citizens to contribute and be active remote citiizens but yet we say they can’t vote. And besides we live in different times where all Dominicans all over the world are directly and instantly connected to the homeland via the web. They are equally aware of the “going ons” in the country just as much as any resident. Just read the comments sections on DNO.
You know it’s ironic how the ones leading the fight against overseas ciizens voting are the same ones who travelled all way to the Bronx, NY to “engage the diaspora.” Remember that much fanfared cybercasted event a few years ago?
I’m just saying we need to be more progressive as a young nation. We must maximize our potential. And include ALL of our citizens everywhere.
Just observe the law man, not Skerrit’s law but the country law that applies to everyone.
My Love- Mellisa, My Home or House is in Vielle case no your France & LI Condo, My Dominica, Building a Non-Resilient Nation” or to remain in power?
N.B : There are125times More Chinese DA citizens than there are original D/cans be they in the Diaspora or here. essence of the issue.
Double duck knows his vibes supported by all the opportunists.
Many people may agree with you, but until the law is changed u are talking nonsense
@WeNiceMan, the report from the OAS and Caricom observation missions for the last two election cycles say that the elections we’re free but not fair. How many cycles is it going to take before Skerritt makes the election fair? Now he wants to go overseas to make it more unfair. Wake up man, isn’t it easy to deal with issues in a two by four bit country like Dominica? What do you expect when the new overseas frontier is opened by a dishonest administration led by Skerritt. His disrespect of the overseas observer missions he invites in to oversee our election speaks volumes.
But why should people who does not live here come here to vote????? You come here vote and go back in another country to impose that greedy wicked piggy evil governemnt on our backs??? That dosnt happen in that country this time arround.. you dorty labourites living oversea and does not live here stay all you …. out of our election… pay they paying all u greedy …. to come here and impose that ….. gov on our backs… we want that gov out of office now now now…. we not goin 5 years again with these waste of time gov
Can DNO crack down on these statement
Calling a government pigs
What’s happening DNO
“Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has vowed to defend the right of Dominicans who live overseas to vote in elections in this country.”
Roosevelt you need to explain how are you going to defend the right of people in the diaspora to vote in Dominica? If you are of the opinions that you have the right to charter aircraft to transport only labor supports to Dominica, or give travel tickets to the people who dressed in red to return to vote for you, that is illegal!
If you are defending our rites to vote the rights of those people who support the Freedom Party, and the UWP must also be protected, as we have a right to vote in Dominica also.
Rather than talking rubbish; how about affirming an absentee voting ballet as they have in the United States, which they mail to their citizens even in Dominica, giving them the opportunity to vote in both local and national election.
And this crap about you rule forever, might choke you!
To you Mr. Skerrit let me say that you are indeed powerful but God is All Powerful. Skerrit God trusted you and empowered you to lead this nature isle and gave you all the support you needed to succeed. But sir you have used that power to enslave the weak, to jail and prosecute those that oppose you and to make our beautiful country a place where wrong doing becomes normal. You are about to enter into a dark place of judgement sir, like king Saul of old. Please read the latter days of king Saul because that’s where I see you heading. People like Joseph Isaac and Sam Raphael all I will say to you all is that money can buy a field but it sure can’t buy you health and life. The other ……. in the cabal like the police commissioner, the president, other government ministers and associates that helped Skerrit bring down Domininica like he has done, all I will say to you all is ALAS! It will not be well with you! You will not see good days because no one that plots evil sees good
As I get ready to go to bed, I just opened DNO and saw the people sitting on the head table and knowing how they have been helping Skerrit destroy Domininica, this scripture from the holy Bible came to me ” But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”.
2 Timothy 3:13 King James Version (KJV)”. It is because of these people in high places, that hold the truth in unrighteousness, will cause the wrath of God to continually come upon this nation to destroy the plants we planted last year, destroy the buildings we built last year, destroy the roads and bridges we built. We will plant but not really; we will build but not be sheltered because we celebrate and applaud evil. Rebuke what I said as much as you want but you won’t stop it from coming to pass AMEN!!
Bribe me give me ticket and money to vote but this time i voting for change, blue wave.
This is the dumbest person we ever had passing as a P.M .
This skerrit guy is a complete nuisance
DNO a better headline to this article should read: PM SKERRIT VOWS TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION OF DOMINICA. If I were listening to CNN or the BBC and what is happening in Domininica was happening in those countries, no doubt that would be the headline.
The Dominican voters overseas have nothing to worry about, they will be flown to Dominica aboard Air Skerrit on a 737 Aircraft using CBI monies after they sign a letter promising to vote for him. If they do not they will be jailed by his goon squads. There will be at least 5 flights from Miami. The plans to rig the election have already started hence his speech. He wants to be Prime Minister for life like a dictator and has gotten lazy in his ways not having to do any real work just dictating policy surrounded by yes men.
Skerrit, Tony and others have fully sold themselves to do wrong so I won’t even try to pull them out because they are too far gone. But Sam Raphael and Joseph Isaac, my two very good friends I ask this question: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Is it worth it? Only time will tell my friends!
Double (Dr) PhD, the right you have to defend is the right to Free and Fair elections in Dominica like our Caribbean neighbors have enjoyed without any difficulty; get rid of the three Stogies you have serving on the Electoral Commission and ask your puppet Attorney General to stop attempting to force anti-electoral reform bill into law; and yes Double Dr PhD; what we are not going back too is 1979 when a DLP government was forced out of office; the BLOOD you are referring to and love to refer to would be on your hands bro and it would take a long time to wash it out and not you serving as Prime Minister for the length of time you envisage. Let me remind you that this country is not Venezuela not by any stroke of your diminished imagination.
de respect for our constitution talk while swearing in charles savrin didnt come from your heart
during the swearing in of the president you were talking about respecting the constitution………these were nice words to hear but we strong patriots of this land knows that these words never came from your heart.
But Skerrit has his own constitution man? His constitution is sure different from our constitution. I guess his constitution is based on a copy and paste from the Venezuela constitution. No wonder he keeps himself miles away from Hon Patrick John, the man that helped draft our constitution in 1978, when we because independence.
The sad thing is that everything shouldn’t be political
If you’re having a meeting about the country to a bunch of foreign visitors
Update them on our progress and where you hope to lead the country
but to get into a political gutter fight SHOULD be beneath the dignity of the Premier
Ok here is another question I have for you all. If you were the Chairman of Election Commissioner in Dominica, which one of these four individuals would more likely vow to put things in place to make STEALING an election easier? Tell me which one would you trust more: A. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit B. Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan and C. Satan whom Jesus referrers to as the “Thief” Jn.8:44. Or do you think they all have a lot in common or one is more trustworthy than the other?
Thou Shalt not steal! Let him that stole steal no more. These are two scriptures in the holy Bible
But why should he not vow to defend their right to vote when Senior counsel is on record referring to it as madness that would destroy his legacy? Skerrit came into office by default and serves by default.
Those visiting Dominicans who were bamboozled by Skerrit’s showmanship should realize that Dominica is last in development within the OECS and CARICOM. The Opposition is allowing Skerrit to escape with murder and for that people are made to believe that Dominica is so sweet.
Of course it is nice to be home, of course the Nature Isle is green again and business is up and running again, but this is in spite of Skerrit and his gang of incompetence. Skerrit boasts about over one hundred million dollars spent on dredging rivers and cleaning Roseau, where did this money go? Look at the Public Works department.
How many hotels and factories that have disappeared or still in ruins while he brags about five star hotels that may never open? Evergreen, Anchorage, Rosalie Bay, Bello Products, Carib Sand and Stones, Whitchurch distribution, and others all in ruins.
So the opposition that voted Skerrit in? Wow. I thought it was Dominicans that give him all the seats he have that allow him to do what he wanted. Along with the Speaker of course. But u right about the rest
Diaspora we need your vote without you we cannot win. Thank you for your contribution to Dominica and continue voting Laybaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
He also needs their dollars
and their remittances
Our economy is a House of Cards
remittances make up an unsustainably large percentage.
I hope the electoral commission, the Opposition, Concerned Citizens and any other interested institutions committed to democracy will see to cleansing of the voters lists to remove dead persons and any other persons not by the rules eligible to vote..in national elections.. Government or any other paid Charters etc should not be allowed.
Soo it is right for people to steal my birth right and my human right, o k.
If we had a real Electoral Commission Skerrit in all his fear of losing election would not be speaking his absurdity to the returning Dominicans and making us believe that he can violate our constitution at his own fancies and whim.
This is why the chairman of the Electoral Commission must resign.He is doing the biddings of a man and not what the constitution and our electorate laws say.
It’s easy to see that this time around Skerrit is dead scared,of his impending defeat.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
So you not lazy, then be positive! Say what your workaholic state can do and stop calling the PM lazy. I need to hear about your prowess! %
Like PM said you will be typing this foolish statement for a long time
Just to let you know he will there for the next 20 years
He is there to stay
Who vex shot salt
Spoken as a true leader. I have always believed that Dominicans by birth have that right. Anyone attempting to trample on that right is a threat to our existence. I applaud my PM for his firm commitment. Those using scare tactics in an effort to dissuade Dominicans from exercising their democratical rights will be disappointed. We shall reject the hypocritical, contradictory Workers Party. We will definitely reward our PM for all his hard work. DLP we voting!
Guess you are unable to read. It clearly stated the conditions in the constitution who can vote.
Soon people like you will be held accountable the same way we will hold your Master accountable. Supporting openly for years on end a corrupt PM could be regarded as treason. But I guess people like you would sing a different song on ‘D-day’.
And you must be a true SOT. Did you see the section of the law? Did you read it?
DC, lol,,,lol …you guys are strange bedfellows!. “The holy Bible came and said to us, to me ” But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”. 2 Timothy 3:13 King James Version (KJV)”. All you blind and ridiculous followers, we will keep the momentum in exposing this failed inept PM Skerrit of yours and this highly corrupt Labour government. You have helped this failed corrupt leader destroyed our island, created no employment, reduced our island to poverty, deprivation the highest in the Caribbean after failed corrupt Haiti, under the abusers, papa Doc and baby Doc.
This man has failed us, our people are suffering, poverty is high, the Red Clinic was an insult and abuse on poor families. There is no development, just a fancy dress PM, on a plane every weak returning to Dominica empty handed and DBS and Kairi FM blind loyalists talk BS everyday on radio while honest concerned Dominicans bring out the pain and suffering on Q95 everyday.
Skerrit…
Skerrit’s egregious and grotesquely blatant and compulsive lies are on display once again.Skerrit all the political parties want overseas Dominicans to vote,but we are governed by laws,so they must meet the residency requirements .Both DFP and UWP have said that ad nauseam.Dont lie to the diasporans.Are you looking for sympathy? Good Dominicans must stop your “No Law No Constitution Belief””..
Skerrit knows that there is a massive ground swell in Dominica against his reign of terror,so he wants to violate our election laws once more,but we concerned Dominicans must show him that his actions must be in line with the dictates of the constitution,and I shall,,once I am alive,be among those standing to defend Waitikubuli against losing Skerrit. You are in Serious …. in 13 constituencies!!!?
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
Jump 👋 high jump low I will EXERCISE and EXECUTE my CONSTITUTIONAL rights to vote 🗳 in my birthplace of Dominica. When you cry I cry, when you bleed I bleed, owning my home and 💰 and employing persons make me a contributing member of Dominican society. Well UWP used it and is still using it in St. Thomas, now what are you saying? When you are on the radio 📻 begging for donations, who are you begging! Your diaspora brethren right, so our money is good but our votes are conditional.
And that is the crux of it. When Dominicans truly start appreciating the tens of thousands abroad who send money and goods even when there is no disaster, that would be a fine thing.
The question is this. How will or how does a registered voter, visiting within 5 years, translate unto the electoral register? What mechanism, machine or otherwise is there to recognise this? Who tabulate this? And if such a mechanism was to be implemented, how much would it cost and are those demanding it ready to pay for it, and can they pay for it?
Very simple. Every visitor to Dominica fills in a form for immigration and customs upon arrival and a similar form upon departure.
Our government has computers to scan these records and the ability co-ordinate them with the Registry and the electoral office.
This way records can be kept up to date in real time. Of course, there has to be a will to do so in the first place.
Tell it to them again. These haters are so hateful and blind that they cannot even read and understand the act as shown above:
% stop hating and open your eyes – read to understand. Stop being a stuck record chanting against the PM.
Why do you hate the man so – s son of the soil and you have not and never uttered a positive word.
Julia where are you? Sure not here in Dominica. I challenge you to come down on vacation to see for yourself. Yes indeed you need to come down. Can you not come down? Can you come down? I can assist with your ticket. You have been away too long. Show up and I will be your tour guide. I will drive you around gratis. Oh Julia Oh Julia come down.
Is so Yes your voting rights are conditional on your qualifications as per the rules of the constitution.
Very clear requires little comprehension.
Skerit couldn’t be present in possie after maria, absent for landlords meeting, for ross share holders, For ross staff, For school children in the park matching, For the last cultural event in possie, For nothing since maria, But he is for diaspora meeting, I hope possie people is taking note, I hope the diasporans are taking note, Is nothing about country, But all about power, What a guy, Lord help us,
@truth – Very good observations.
Inorder to incite a reaction in the Labour sheeple of Portsmouth, it would appear that one may have to dress up like those two goal posts in the Benjamin Park that some of these sheeple went and mash up sometime ago because they felt their youth football team (which was playing in a local amateur youth football tournament) lost a game due to bad refereeing.