Linton says opposition asked PM Skerrit not to introduce bills to amend electoral laws

Linton spoke at a press conference on Friday

Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, has said he suggested to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit not to introduce bills to amend the electoral laws of Dominica when parliament met on May 23, 2017 but it all fell on deaf ears.

He said at a press conference on Friday, he wrote to Skerrit on the matter on May 18, one day after the opposition received notice of the government’s intention to enact the amendment in Parliament on May 23.

The government has since suspended debate on the amendments saying it was the best thing to do due to threats by those who oppose them and to avoid confrontation. The move was welcomed by Linton.

“In the public interest of freedom, democracy elections of integrity and the integrity of the constitutional rule of law in Dominica, this is the course of action that we recommended to the Prime Minister by letter dated the 18 of May 2017, one day after receiving notice of the government’s intention to enact the proposed amendment during May 23, 2017 meeting,” he said.

Linton said the letter reads:

“The parliamentary opposition is deeply concerned that the proposed amendment to the electoral laws of Dominica will effectively legitimize the election offences of bribery and treating, facilitate voter registration irregularities overseas and thereby defeat the national effort to secure elections of integrity as the backbone of our democracy. We therefore urge you to postpone introduction of the bills to amendment the House of Assembly Election Act and Registration of Electors Act standing in your name for the Tuesday, May 23, 2017 meeting of parliament pending appropriate revisions of the bills, circulation of a white paper for public education and a period of public consultation.”

Linton stated that Skerrit responded to his letter via the Attorney General on the same day parliament was meeting.

“With regard to our May 18 letter, the Prime Minister responded through the Attorney General,” he stated. “The response dated May 22, 2017, was hand delivered to the Leader of the Opposition during the May 23, 2017 sitting after the Leader of the Opposition moved a motion for the withdrawal, which motion was set aside by the Speaker in support of the Prime Minister.”

He said following that, the opposition asked the Attorney General to request an audience with Skerrit, but nothing happened.

“In other words, we tried, we failed,” Linton stated.

Linton’s statements appear to contradict pronouncements made by Skerrit in an address to the nation on Thursday where he said he could have perhaps deferred action on the bill.

“It was my intention to embrace legitimate concerns of the Opposition and perhaps defer action on this Bill in Parliament until such time as a bipartisan committee of the Parliament would have had an opportunity to deliberate on the draft and make known its concerns and recommendations,” Skerrit said in his address. “That is how Parliaments around the region and the world function and operate. But, here in Dominica, it seems different because of a new style of leadership from certain quarters.”

In his speech, the Prime Minister also said one may ask why not meet and hear the Opposition before a meeting of Parliament. At Friday’s press conference, Linton said the opposition tried but failed to have a meeting with the Prime Minister.

In his speech to the nation, the Prime Minister said, “The short answer is, that is not the way of this particular Parliamentary Opposition. Members of the public would recall a recent national event at which no lesser a topic than the economic future of this country was being considered. The entire Parliamentary Opposition was invited. Did they attend? Did they send a position paper for consideration?  The opposition has had copies of the proposed changes for several months now. There have been public debates on electoral reform for several years now. The reality is that the current Parliamentary Opposition in Dominica has chosen the path of confrontation and antagonism over constructive dialogue and mediation. Parliament is the place for national discussion and debate and therefore the floor of Parliament is where an opportunity will be provided for the Opposition to articulate its concerns in debate that will, as usual, be carried live and direct into the homes and offices of Dominicans.”

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61 Comments

  1. May 29, 2017

    Linton, a total and complete waste.

  2. May 29, 2017

    UWP fell further into oblivion the minute they named Linton as party leader. We see right through him!

    Never shall you become PM of Dominica!

    Waste of time fool!

    • Cheche
      May 29, 2017

      And yet they GAINED seats after he won?
      And yet DLP had to double-down $30M in spending for an election.

  3. May 28, 2017

    The PM have a syndrome called tony astaphan malytis and when he is suffering from that his head gets hard and he goes deaf

  4. bigger
    May 28, 2017

    Well this takes the biscuit for me . Can you imagine the opposition supporters calling the PM a liar? there it is Linton is a convicted ” LIAR “paying huge sums of money which his gullible supporters are paying and will continue paying because he don’t know how to stop.

    Please has the PM ever been convicted of any crime? ( NOT FAKE NEWS ) please educate me

  5. Kings
    May 28, 2017

    Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

  6. Prolific
    May 28, 2017

    Hi concern citizen! Do not lose your faith for no one, for God is in control. If we all agree that, we are god’s creation, who are we to criticize each other. What is the difference between a diplomat and a con man?. Use your own judgement on that, with all your stresses are relieved .God bless

  7. Prolific
    May 28, 2017

    Let us face facts! what you can see in the daytime, you don’t need a light to look for it at nights. You should not go down to others level, they should come up to your level. So many beautiful ladies on the island, but they have to disguised themselves to suite their leader. The two leaders you don’t know them from Adam&Eve,Which one of them would you pick. People come and people go so, you must always put yourself first. I enjoy the facilities the present government provide for the country so what. Free yourself from stress, the world loves you so enjoy it. Love always.

  8. Stone Cold
    May 28, 2017

    LENNOX LINTON you are a blood thirsty, anti social, violent, desperate, misinformed, uneducated, Barbarian and one day the violence that you employ to intimidate the god fearing people of this country will turn on you………………..I cannot wait to see that day. You have no regard for human life and you have lost the respect of all sensible Dominicans at home and abroad.

  9. Papa Dom
    May 28, 2017

    DNO, are you saying that what Mr Linton said is not the Truth? What’s with the appear to Contradict? It contradicts what skerritt said in his address and further more members of the commission have confirmed that the opposition did in fact submit proposals to them. It is this type of undue and unnecessary political correctness which creates division and facilitates skerritt’s abuse of the nation and it’s laws.

  10. Prolific
    May 27, 2017

    My hope is labour have no time to read these for you have better things to do. It is free so let uwp insults each other. The pm is calling the shots.

    • Papa Dom
      May 28, 2017

      A prolific jack@$$ I see

  11. crystal blue waters, blue sky
    May 27, 2017

    skerrit and dat thing fake speaker must go.

  12. Doc. Love
    May 27, 2017

    I wish to express my total disappointment in DBS reporter, Curtis Mathew. I believe the time has come when the management of the UWP should take a serious look at Curtis Mathew’s intensions, when he comes to their press conferences. He dominated UWP the press conference with his many questions. In my opinion, the behavior exhibited by him yesterday, was totally difference in comparison
    to the manner he behaviors at the government’s conferences. According to my estimate, the question time lasted approximately twenty minutes and out of that twenty minutes, he occupied thirteen minutes. I don’t have a problem with that, what I have a problem with, was, DBS radio did not report one sentence on the press conference. I wish to congratulate the efforts of DNO, as far as laborites are concerned, DNO supports the UWP, I believe they are wrong to make such a statement, I believe the unwavering support is that of DBS radio towards the Skeritt’s led administration.

    • FORKIT
      May 28, 2017

      so true and the opposition should not answer his questions until he shows fairness when labour have their press conference

  13. May 27, 2017

    Our PM just does not know how to be truthful.

  14. Is so it is.
    May 27, 2017

    A Liar is a murderer not by necessarily by the sword but even more by the destruction of values,character, standards and integrity. Just look at the country over his reign. This pm is a complosive LIAR as he will Lie in our face even when he knows we know the truth and see it clearly..This is the works of the devil and his angels..Skerrit is doing his father’s bid and can’t stop. I feel very sorry for this pm he has lost his way totally..imagine a man lies at every single time he speaks after awhile where is the conscience. SKERRIT IS DOOMED. AND HE HAS DESTROYED THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF DOMINICA FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY. Root of All evil. Millions in royal bank they have asked u to remove it .They eh want it and u as pm, finance minister saying they gave u no reason yet u complied. U HEAR LIES LOOK LIES. SKERRIT U R OFF THE devil himself.

  15. Maduro
    May 27, 2017

    can some one please tell us how many Arab Dominicans we now have?
    is there a register of thoe arabs Dominicans?
    and where can we go to see those registered araba Dominicans?

  16. Daniel
    May 27, 2017

    Dominicans open all you guys. All prime minister keeps gettng fat and flurishing whiles the people struggle everyday. I came down to dominica for a few days in march and i seeing all my people like ghost people like zoombees walking on the road no hope or some future. The shepherd is eating all the fat on the sheeps one day he will have no sheep to eat and lets see what he will do. Where an unrighteous leader rules people suffer and where a righteous leader rules the people are happy. Skerrit let dominican who is in dominica suffering vote only and stop sending for dominicans who established themselves out of dominica who enjoying their sweet life. Dont bring them on voting day and disrupt the vote stop that bribery one day it will surely expose u and bring you to shame. Remember skerrit anything that is done in the dark will eventually come out in the light. Dont think because u study physcology u will have an advataage over these in dominica because they not stupi.

  17. discreet
    May 27, 2017

    people get citizenship on a daily basis to register those persons registered to vote will compromised election results e,g. 4000 plus to date.
    incumbent has the advantage. They have the money they have the semi colon. For a piece of bread a man will transgress. I tell you they have plenty bread so the people will follow.
    The truth will continue to hammer them. They will disintegrate slowly

  18. Anomymous
    May 27, 2017

    Skerrit la manti encor.

  19. Prolific
    May 27, 2017

    The PM has no reason to be scared. The one who told him to go self government is watch over him, and this is where he is getting his power from. If he faulter Dave Cameron is already on stand by. It won’t come to that because he has friends in high places. Start paying the fines before the receivers make their moves

    • concern citizen
      May 27, 2017

      Dear Prolific,
      All what U are SPUING there is just mire talk UR. god is a scoundrel and U worse that him cause U are encouraging him in all the atrocities which he is doing, the Eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the EVIL and THE GOOD Proverbs 15: 3 check it out

  20. Jonathan St jean
    May 27, 2017

    This is further proof that Skerritt is delusional, haughty and a bold face liar.God says he will bring down the proud and Skerritt is on his way down because of his pride.The letter is proof that he Skerritt refused to meet to discuss the proposed amendments but he felt that his parliamentary majority would carry the day,but brave and dedicated Patriots and preparation by the opposition proved to be stronger and smarter.Skerritt also stated that parliament was the proper place to discuss and debate the amendments,but that makes no sense because the government majority would have enabled it to take the bill through it’s three stages and it would be the law of the land and there is nothing the opposition could have done about it after the Skerritt you lost big time

  21. Winston
    May 27, 2017

    Mr Linton the letter the AG gave you why didn’t you publish it’s contents?

    • concern citizen
      May 27, 2017

      Winston why don’t U ask UR. scoundrel AG to publish his letter?

  22. Man bites Dogs
    May 27, 2017

    Linton, is a great big lier and it would be an insult to have a guy like Linton as Prime minister of Dominica for that reason Linton, must go this guy is a serial disaster…… :twisted:

    • concern citizen
      May 27, 2017

      Thanks mr. or miss. Man bites Dogs
      why don’t U learn to spell LIAR it is not lier as U spelt it, it is liar then U will be able to criticise others

      • Man bites Dogs
        May 28, 2017

        @ concern citizen, Thank you very much for your lesson of how to spell ,But one thing i know my Bank Balance between you and i is far greater than yours Mr/Ms concern, ………

      • Anonymous
        May 29, 2017

        Man bites dog if yall you are concerned with is the size of your bank account you are no different from your Leader and I would call you a poor bugger, to be pitied.

    • concern citizen
      May 27, 2017

      Dear man bites Dogs
      I would advice U to go and learn to spell Liar in stead of your lier U wrote, U all RED people are to SCOUNDREL

      • dddd.....
        May 28, 2017

        Dear concern citizen..
        it is supposed to be ‘Concerned citizen’ and it’s advise or advize, not advice..
        Also, it’s u all red people are too scoundrel, not to

      • May 29, 2017

        And I would ADVISE you to purchase a dictionary from Jay’s Bookstore so you can know the difference between ‘advice’ and ‘advise’. So when you want to correct someone else you won’t make a fool of yourself!

  23. Skerrit Must Go... Now?
    May 27, 2017

    PM – why oh why your fabricative tendency is so chronic? Such behavioural trait seems never to be provoked by immediate situations or social pressure, so much as it is an innate trait of your personality. There really is some element of dyscontrol present in you.

    “Pathological liars displays behaviour of habitual or compulsive lying. Falsification entirely disproportionate to any discernible end in view, may be extensive and very complicated, and may manifest over a period of years or even a lifetime”.

    PM, according to Hon Lennox Linton’s assertion on the situation… are you aware that you’re lying? Do you believe that you’re telling the truth? It seems however that you may be lying to make your life seem more exciting when in reality you believe your life is unpleasant or boring.

  24. Doc. Love
    May 27, 2017

    It is unfortunate , Skeritt does not learn that whenever he bowl’s a lie against Mr. Linton, he is always hit to the boundary for six. Remember the lie about Mr. Linton being involved with white European Colonizers, who were supposed to have give him thousands of dollars for the 2014 general elections. Remember the famous confidential letter Mr. Linton was supposed to have leaked concerning Skeritt’s financial IPO report, later it was found out that it was his advisor who leaked his information. Remember the truck loaded with stereo equipment, Mr. Linton was supposed to have used for the coup on February 7th. Remember the burning of Roseau of February 7th, Mr. Linton was accused of being responsible, it was later found out that he had nothing to do with the incident. We heard him told parliament, today, Mr. Linton had not contacted him concerning an proposal in terms of electoral reform, DNO is reporting a letter was sent to him by Mr. Linton on 18th May.

  25. May 26, 2017

    Now , more than ever, Mr. Linton must embark on a national mobilization campaign educating through out the four corners of the island on the political issues facing Dominica. He must be willing to go into hostile territory to have his say and make the case for a change of government, mind you , embarking on this trail doesn’t guarantee instant dividends but at least a tree will be planted, hoping to bear fruit going forward. We are well aware that after 17yrs in office, Mr Skerrit is well consolidated, it will take mass education and protest action to dislodge his governing party, is Mr Linton willing to venture? he has no other choice, he must be willing to make the case that he has a better alternative, to what is present, and in due time the country will decide. Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and have a trail. Mr Linton you have to visit every village in Dominica to make your case for change, the people will have a lot to say to you.Bob.

  26. freedom fighter
    May 26, 2017

    U only want to debate when Madame cantangerous is present.

  27. Workers
    May 26, 2017

    Skerrit is a liar. He has demonstrated this over and over again. Yet, some Dominicans can’t see through this man.
    Mr. Linton and his party deserves our full support.

  28. Jon-O
    May 26, 2017

    So where was the opposition leader in waiting? I expected to see Joseph Isaac at the press conference.

  29. Shaka Zulu
    May 26, 2017

    The prime Minister is a compulsive liar and even he start enjoying the filthy stuff coming from his mouth. Skerrit thinks lies and deception of the Dominican public is being brilliant. The guy is a coward and a Fraud.

    • Ibo France
      May 26, 2017

      I fully concur with the second sentence of your statement, Shaka Zulu. Mr. Skerrit’s intention is to manipulate the electoral laws to curry favor his party. The proposed changes to the electoral laws would do nothing to promote democracy nor add any substantive relief to people’s lives. The only reason for this legislation is to prolong the DLP’s stay in power. A good political party put people ahead of party because people matter more. The PM has become a liability to Dominica because he regards himself as a BOSS and not a dervant of the people. What the country needs at this moment is servant leadership.

  30. Prolific
    May 26, 2017

    As you can see there are two different voices, one with pen and other with swords, The mob was at the gate before parliament started, they pushing down barriers and forcing the gate open. In the interest of health and safety, Parliament was adjourned Sani die for the love and protection of Country. People who own property in Dominica who feels that their property is protected under labour come and cast your votes.

    • Workers
      May 26, 2017

      Parliament was adjourned Sine die because the government wants to protect itself from the anger of the people.

    • Jonathan St jean
      May 27, 2017

      There were two different voices obe,Linton,with pen wrote the PM to discuss the proposed amendments.The other voice thought that throwing out the press from parliament and bringing out the police with Mills and others would be the better way to go.God was on the side of the humble and orderly opposition.Skerritt the liar,lost big time

  31. Spike
    May 26, 2017

    Well, Mr. Linton should win an election. With the Parliamentary majority, he would win instant influence to determine what bills are introduced. By comparison, a small Parliamentary minority cannot get a bill withdrawn. “We tried. We failed.” And so we sent for the mobs? The outrageous scenario in which Labour overspends its own funds to fly supporters home to vote would be a waste of campaign contributions, but the legislation has it right: It still would not be bribery.

    • Titiwi
      May 27, 2017

      If you offer an inducement to come and vote for me it is bribery , whichever way you or smart-Alec Astaphan may put it. I’m not a follower of any political party in Dominica but mr. Linton is right. I want to be proud of my country for the right reasons, not because because we are champions of craftiness and revel in our devious schemes of deception.

      • Spike
        May 27, 2017

        No, bribery is paying someone to do what they would not otherwise do, not facilitating what they would do anyway. What do you say to giving your voters a bus ride to the polls? A phone call that the election is today? Are these bribery? The bill clarifies that they are not. Again, who would contribute to Labour if your money went to fly individual voters back to Dominica because Labour had no way to rustle up more votes at home? But this is just UWP speculation. (If however Labour used government or CBI funds, that would change everything.)

  32. Demonstrator
    May 26, 2017

    You sure you really intended to dialogue? Or you wanted to uave your version and only your ersion of electoral considered by the Cabinet?

  33. %
    May 26, 2017

    Honourable LINTON,i must thank you effusively for being the quintessential Dominican that you are…Thanks for service to country Sir!!!Well Skerrits objectives are clear.The one he wants to perpetuate though, is trying to stsy in office BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE!So we need to ask oursellves WHY! Is he scared of something? What is that thing?
    LOVE YOU HONOURABLE LINTON!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      May 26, 2017

      You are surely suffering from SKERRITICISM and need help. You need to see a doctor before your blood vessel burst.

    • Man bites Dogs
      May 27, 2017

      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !
      Linton must go right now !

      • Tjebe fort
        May 27, 2017

        Keep biting the dog my man and make sure you don’t catch fleas, or worse still, rabies. You sound lkie you are well on your way with the mad rage you already showing.

      • So so sad
        May 27, 2017

        You Will Make Him go. Bunch of hypocrites. The damn country was broke when allu party reign ended. You people are just Pretending or just don’t know your history….He is not going anywhere. Who vex burst.

      • You confounded little rat, the told me you could not make a living in England, because you are dunce, and cannot read; that is why you ran back to Dominica, kissing Skerrit………..butt, for a hand out, that is why you are so hunted by the thought of Linton.

        Roosevelt Skerrit has already left the stage, a long time ago, only that he don’t know it!

        Him gone a long time ago, only doh know it!
        Skerrit, standing on slippery ice, only he doh know it!
        Roosevelt Skerrit holding on to a leaf of branch waiting to fall to the ground any minute!
        Roosevelt Skerrit have one foot in the grave, and one outside the grave!
        Roosevelt Skerrit has left a long time ago, only him doh know it oui!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

        Man Eat raw Dog meat; you and Roosevelt are tools of Satan, both of you are Satan son that is why you dress in red devil cloth everyday eh!

  34. Plato
    May 26, 2017

    I am officially out of this waste of time UWP. I am fedup with that same old idiotic rhetoric. Here it is the party had a major victory and this pathological, obsessive compulsive leader comes with this Monfared rubbish again. Such behaviour is a certain sign of mental illness. Can’t go from one mad prime minister to the next. Bring it on .

    • %
      May 26, 2017

      You are a doggone sheep in wolf clothing…Dont ever believe that you are fooling anyone but your stupid, lazy,illiterare self..Go,and take along Skerrit,TREATING and BRIBING with you!!You want someont to soothe and pamper you…DLP will soon give you your pampers!GOOD RIDDANCE!
      SKERRIT MUST GO!
      SKERRIT MUST GO!
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

      • %
        May 26, 2017

        Wolf in sheep clothing

      • Plato
        May 27, 2017

        You are a really funny person. At least you gave me a much needed laugh after grading papers all week. Enjoy the Dominica your government and inept opposition is building. Sorry if I disappointed you but I live in the United States where I work as a professional in science and education. I was born in Dominica and own property there so I will speak and the likes of you will not intimidate me. It’s uncouth supporters like you who keep the UWP in opposition. As long as Linton is leader of the party, opposition will be their place

    • May 26, 2017

      Plato I guess you were not smart as I thought you were but it’s not so, PM ask where are the recommendations from the UWP he said their wasn’t any , but there was and look how Levi Peters throw the PM under the bus, he responded to Mr Linton a day before and in that same letter he mention sections and lines of the very same information that his boss claim he didn’t received when he knew he did have it, whenever one decides not to be honest it always come out and that’s because their is a higher being in control.
      Those who came out to stand for Dominica to them it wasn’t about party it was ” DOMINICA and it’s laws and value, Plato where are your values have you sold it just like the one who betrayed Jesus name Judas ,.

    • Shameless
      May 26, 2017

      Bye bye you DLP nincompoop! :twisted: Good riddance. :twisted:

      Assertive like Moses’ rod! :twisted:

    • Darwin
      May 27, 2017

      Platoon you should read and understand more ,if you did those to things maybe just maybe you wouldn’t have wrote to garbage. It’s people like yourself and the others that have the country in this way .the problem is not Mr Linton it’s small minded Dominicans like yourself that have the pm doing this things in the country ,I am dominica are you .

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