Alex Bruno has claimed that based on statistics derived from his independent scientific national electoral poll, there is some truth to the issue of the “importation of votes” in Dominica.
The revelation came at a press conference conducted on Monday 29th May 2017 where Bruno, who described himself as ‘a political scientist in training,’ made public his poll findings.
In providing information on the La Plaine constituency, for example, Bruno said those polled in that constituency were asked ‘For which candidate/party did you vote at the last election?’ and he said the results raised a few eyebrows during the analysis process.
According to Bruno, the statistics showed that 29 percent of respondents voted for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), 59 percent for the United Workers Party (UWP) while 12 percent chose not to respond.
“Now don’t think I am silly or the poll is bogus because I spoke to the people and I put the results they gave me. Even now, in the middle of my presentation I can tell you, most of the people that I spoke to in the different communities told me about the importation of votes,” Bruno said.
He stated that although the poll was not intended to study the importation of votes, the results “captured some picture” of the issue discussed island-wide that claims the importation of votes as being connected to bribery/treating.
“Somehow, this poll, which was not designed to study importation of votes, kind of captures some picture that suggests that those allegations might just be so, especially in La Plaine and Grand Fond and Castle Bruce and St. Joseph, and Mahaut,” he said.
He added that the statistics caused great problems in analyzing because it does not add up to the fact that the DLP won the La Plaine constituency.
“If you look at the polls – I’m not preaching politics, I’m just discussing what I found, if you look at the polls you will see these crazy figures that caused me problems. How could you tell me that 59 percent voted UWP and the party lost? This means that the people were not on the ground to be polled. That is what it said to me, that is the picture that I got on the ground in the constituency,” Bruno remarked.
Recently the government of Dominica proposed bills to amend the House of Assembly (Elections) Bill 2017, some of which reads that the “transportation of electors to or within Dominica for the purpose of an election” is not an offence unless the intent in doing so is corrupt.
Many have voiced their opinions in opposition to the amendment, including Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton.
Some said the amendment was actually detrimental to the election process, and many convened in protest near parliament last week until Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, advised the Speaker of the House, Alex Boyd Knight that the matter be “adjourned without further consideration.”
All this talk of ‘vote importation’ and I haven’t received a single plane ticket…not even a friendly text…hahaha
Is this for real? Was the government seriously going to authorize this under a hush-rush push?
“transportation of electors to or within Dominica for the purpose of an election”
Explains quite a bit…
In this regard, I will stand by my statement… Trust not the government, police or any political/ government based structures… they are full of lies and BS.
Bruno, your extrapolation is flawed. Surely you don’t think that the 30% difference (DLP 29% vs UWP 59%) is due to “imported” votes in favour of Skerrit!! Come on now!
Alex Bruno has claimed that based on statistics derived from his independent scientific national electoral poll, there is some truth to the issue of the “importation of votes” in Dominica.
The 4th word is clear to all and sundry. lol
I guess the essence is who is Alex Bruno
This is a bogus and biased report! We all know which political party Mr. Bruno supports. Furthermore, given the fact that they are loosing steam with their leader, then he had to come up with something to make them keep the hope alive.
People like Alex Bruno destroying Dominica. Laybaaaaaaaaa
Alex here is the true figures now tell me where the “imported voters made the difference General Election results
2009 — Petter St. Jean (DLP) 724 to Ronald Green (UWP) 722 returned DLP by 2 votes total votes 1,446
2014 — Petter St. Jean (DLP) 842 to Ronald Green (UWP) 706 returned DLP by 136 votes total 1,548
Are you saying that the OVER SEAS VOTERS REDUCED RON GREEN VOTES??????? What role does new voters play in the election? Are you also saying that the increase of 102 was all diaspora voters? but interestingly if we remove the entire increase of 102 votes from the DLP Petter still win by at least 36 votes which is still an increase over 2005…. So for a “POLITICAL SCIENTIST” wanna be your conclusion is wayyyy offffff!!!!!!! Ron has LOST his support base and will only continue loosing votes…
Are you stupid or you dumb? Can you not understand percentages? Sometimes i question the education system because of people like you ? Did you think his masters degree was purchased? or let me guess you know better than him “just so” .
Are u assuming there were no imported voters in 2009.
Statistics don’t lie when you go the various villages and poll people. Laplaine has been a UWP stronghold for years, and I’ve always wondered how labor win the election there. When you provide transportation for someone to come down and vote, how is this not bribery?
And before it was a “UWP stronghold” as you put it, presumably it was a Freedom stronghold and no doubt at some point it will become a DLP stronghold and so on and so forth. That’s politics. Things change.
So what happened in Soufriere at the last by-election I wonder?
Point well taken but every political party imports voters either openly or subtly. While the exercise was a remarkable effort I think Alex Bruno, I think it was all in an effort to help Alex obtain his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) degree rather than playing party politics….Alex is this part of your dissertation towards your Ph. D degree? And yes I know it is not an Honorary Doctorate from the Punjab
you so foolish
Thanks Alex; At least this brings the La Plaine constituency and others into sharp focus. It is clear that DLP and Brother St. Jean did not win the seat during the past two elections.
In fact it is clear now that St. Jean’s votes came from his small Pentecostal church and the’ Vep’ (on a plane) for vote program with the La Plaine diaspora. But more than just St. Jean and DLP being ‘declared” winners in La Plaine, this unethical practice has divided this once tranquil and close-knit rural community in ways unimagined.
I suppose history will have more to say about that. I hope to write a chapter or two on this when all is said and done.
Thanks Alex for your efforts- much appreciated.
Dr. Emanuel Finn,
Washington DC
According to Alex on Kairi…. READ FOR YOURSELF and analyse what you read
http://electoraloffice.gov.dm/past-general-elections/227-2014-general-elections-results-final?map_id=e
as compared to his number in 2009 of 722 – http://electoraloffice.gov.dm/past-general-elections/4-2009-general-election-results
Follow the pollster advise and read and analyse then tell us why did Ron Green loose votes, could they diaspora block the roads so his supporters couldn’t go out to exercise their franchise??????
Please, spare us. Like the rest of us you are in the dark as to the science that Alex applied in arriving at his conclusions. The article appears to be an opinion piece rather than a scientific work. It does not disclose a single piece of evidence that the alleged disparity is the consequence of, or even more likely the consequence of, ‘imported votes’ (that nasty and pejorative term being bandied about by some in respect to Dominican citizens legally entitled to exercise their constitutional franchise) than other possibilities.
Bruno, so what is your idea? Are you insinuating that all the people participated in conducting the polls? Did you go from house to house and/or telephoned everyone who has a telephone? Do all Dominicans have a telephone? Did you reach everyone of them by phone or door-to-door?
Who are you trying to deceive? Not everyone participate in polls/surveys. I also know that. Not everyone likes to participate in a poll. Therefore, you and your scientific findings are flawed and incorrect.
Scientific my foot. I would not compliment you on this one. I think you wasted your time.
You would have been better off praying to God to give you an answer and you would get a correct one that, not all people take part in polls.
You clearly do not understand polling and sampling. Have a seat please.
change the results of the poll alex and u will get full support from the opposition
change the results of the poll Alex and u will get full support from the opposition
both parties import voters cause at the last election it was alleged that lennox and company were in guadeloupe encouraging uwp voters to go down and vote while discouraging dlp voters not to go down and vote. once its not on uwp side it is always not good. when will lenox and his supporters stop spread lies about our country? how can a man destroy a country he wants to leader of? its really true that universal education is open for all. Joseph Issacc need to take over the uwp cause the party can never win under lennox leadership, cause he makes his supporters pay too much useless money.I would vote for Pappy after my PM retire.
As a young FEMALE teacher under labour, here is my monthly expenditure:
Salary:………………………………………………………… EC$1,300.00
Food: ……………………………………………………………..EC$200.00
Light ……………………………………………………………..EC$100.00
Phone ……………………………………………………………EC$100.00
Cable TV/internet ……………………………………….EC$114.00
Water……………………………………………………………..EC $60.00
Courts (bed, fridge, stove, TV) $550.00
Transportation……………………………………………..EC$100.00
Total Expenditure……………………………………….EC$1,224.00
Can I vote Skerrit again? My heart bleeds Skerrit! I am only going to the school because it keeps me occupied for now. Hope to migrate to Antigua come August where I will get a better job and…
you forget social security man???? so now is Skerrit fault you cannot manage your salary??? i didn’t see rent there either, and praise Jah Skerrit increased the tax threshold because under workers you would have had to pay $40 tax on that income…
If you don’t vote Skerrit don’t vote because Lennox will make things worse for you, trust me…… Now get something to do part time that will assist your financial status, example an after school program and charge at least $50 per child you only need 12 children to take care of Courts and water….
Which Labour are you, must be the one where you go to the hospital. Who those fake labour think they can fool. Stop leaving above your means and you will make ends meet and survive. Doh blame on labour and skerrit. Go and migrate where the hell you want and you will find out if it was worth it. go go and you find out what cost of leaving is on the other sides.
To: Miss Molly
Hello and good afternoon my people. I feel your pain but please go to St Thomas because you will receive better pay and union protection. They are recruiting teachers in the STEM fields.
And the salary before Skeritt the salary was? Oh, and would you not have had to pay tax on that before Skeritt? And is it not true that you pay absolutely no tax now? Your ‘ambition’ to emigrate to Antigua ( which by all accounts is under severe economic, social and other pressures) perhaps says more about you than it does about Skeritt.
OK Bruno,your poll is now very confusing…
My poll is 10 to 11 Either way DLP or UWP!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
WHAT POLLLLL??????????
Boy i must laugh that poll, pa pa met, what a joke. Alex if this is a scientific poll well polling is in trouble in this country. boss man try a next profession
Bruno thinks everyone is foolish. He is another one trying to undermine the PM. We know whose side he is on. No one should believe him.
This poll/analysis is comfort for fools. The poll was not designed to study importation of votes, yet numbers are presented in that regard. What was the sample size? What are the numbers for the other constituencies like St. Joseph that might have been influenced by imported voters?
When polls/surveys are conducted, a few people are spoken to; only a certain percentage, those whom they can get on the telephone. Or surveys are mailed to residents, the latter, most people throw them away. Then they come up with what the majority said. Those polls are inaccurate. This is why I do not pay attention to results of polls.
I do not participate in polls. I may not even answer the telephone if it is from an unknown person. If any arrive at my place of residence, I throw them out.
Therefore, Bruno is trying to deceive the gullible Dominicans who will believe anything because they are non-DLP supporters.
Tell Bruno to take a back step and do not deceive people with his so-called scientific poll.
fake news Alex you know where your heart is because you maybe interviewed 59 % uwp and dlp did want to answer no questions from you case close.
But didn’t he say the polls say DLP would win.La Plaine.If elections were.held today? Isnt that contradictory. How can Labour win if more than half say they voted UWP.
This goes to show that he is not telling the truth. I would not believe him anyway, he and his scientific poll. Worth a laugh at.
I didn’t understand that logic either something is terrible wrong there.
It have straight win and crooked win. one thing I know is that the DLP love to win by the hook or the crook .
U call urself a political scientist but u sound so stu -pid and bias. considering a number of factors ur poll does not make sense. need to go back to the black board. if u were my student i would give u an FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.
the man never called you stupid yet you calling him so, he has a masters and i wonder what you have?
no need for the name calling, i think uwp should take data, study it and make the necessary changers
So the UWP won, 59% to 29%? This is one indication that Mr. Bruno measured how people feel, not what they did. There is no need for Mr. Bruno to defend himself against the charge of lying; another explanation is his respondents were lying to him. Mr. Bruno’s speculation that the margin of electoral victory was provided either by offshore influence or by Labour flying its supporters back to Dominica is the farthest-fetched. Mr. Bruno’s assertion that his poll is “scientific” and that he is “independent” are two more assertions that would be better if they were measurable.
It was interesting to hear how pleased host Mat Peltier was during the pledge call-in program on QFM today from 2-3pm for lawsuits. Every time he got a US$ contribution from the diaspora callers his voice was excited.
If the diaspora can contribute to the cause, why can’t they vote?
Because the way it is done is gross violation of our election laws…Stop wearing your ignorance as a badge of honour….That’s why people like me protested last week, and Skerrit had to cancel his plan to make the illegal BRIBERY and TREATING legal…..Go buy a book and pencil and attend school.
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
You are correct. They also have bank accounts and property in Dominica and contribute to the revenue of the country.
Indeed! They should be allowed to vote; have every right to vote for their choice of Party. This is what we should put to those critics.
You see, Lennox, Alex and other critics are talking a lot of crap.
Who said diaspora cant vote? The concern is the importation of voters…smh
good point
Oh please, Alex! The only truth your poll suggests is that you are still a biased uwpite. Nice try though!
then they return to wherever they come from and whatever country they paying taxes in. Meanwhile we who are left here have to fight for survival and try to get by day to day. Then we have to call those same ones who got the free ticket to vote to send us some money and this and this just like how we does be going financial center to bed. Peole we tired beg. We want to do for ourself now. We have to start producing. and putting things in place for us to produce at the world standard, not Dominican standard. i mean is everyone else blind? are we too caught up in a frenzy that we have lost ourselves? or have all the smart parrots flown away.
Dem diasporans reading this must dislike.. U dont pay any taxes in the country, coming once a yr or ery 5yrs and then want to come and vote and move back one time… Allu really wicked.. If you really have faith in the goals and plans of de pm why dont you stay to feel de heat… Cannot tell me its your right to vote when you are not a tax paying citizen..
Alex,
Next time check me out. I have far better questions than what you used to conduct your bogus poll.
Three sample questions to test the pulse of the people:
Are you better off today than ten years ago?
Do you think the country is going in the right direction?
If an election was to be held today, who would you vote for?
Contact: [email protected]
Now those are some of the questions that should be ask and not about parties or politicians per say it should be more about the Island instead, I hope he accept your invitation , Any way we have to give him credit for trying.
Is there any forum where we talk about job creators any where , or any polls taken why we are beggers waiting on government to solve all our problems . Who is the largest employer in dominica ? And what are we going to do to create more private jobs. Let’s get ride of the slogan is so is, and let’s put some disipline in our lives . The only thing that can save us is us not government .
Bull****! You and that 59% is pure nonsense. How many households did you go into? And how many known UWP households did you target? Majority of Dominicans never did your electoral poll so stop lying about those numbers.
Alex you sound like a sick man, sorry to say so but POLL IS CRAZY.
lol
@Kid on the Block: Facts are stubborn things eh?
That is nothing new. All kacador knows that. Any DLP victory is strictly based on imported votes. One to one on the ground, the UWP wins comfortably.
Hmm, but not so UWP wins. How biased.