UWP reiterates ‘no election without electoral reform’

 

Linton spoke at an electoral reform consultation on Tuesday

Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton has reiterated his party’s call for reforming the island’s electoral process stating that “we will not have another election in Dominica without Electoral Reform.”

 

He spoke at a national consultation on the need for Electoral Reform in Dominica held at the Goodwill Parish Hall on Tuesday.

According to him, Electoral Reform is a most critical need now in the lives of Christian people of good conscience, to secure the sustainable resilient development of Dominica for the benefit of all Dominicans.

He said that in Dominica political parties contest elections, but are not responsible for the conduct of elections.

“That responsibility has been passed in our Constitution to the independent Electoral Commission and it is the role and function of that commission to ensure that the system before elections is in place and that the election results are a true, honest reflection of the popular will, the will of the people,” he explained. “It truly and accurately tells us who the people would like to run their affairs for the next five years.”

According to Linton, the UWP has been calling for electoral reform since May 2005.

He went on to say that Dominica is heading into another election which is constitutionally due sometime in 2020 and because there is no fixed date for elections it can be called at any time and ID Cards are needed for voting.

He said that reform should take into consideration the issue of overseas voting.

“The law provides that if you have been living outside of Dominica for more than five years then your name should be struck from the register… vote where you live,” Linton said. “If you are voting in America, if you are voting in England or you are voting in Canada because that is where you have taken up residence, leave the voting in Dominica to those of us who reside here.”

Linton said the reform agenda should include prevention of bribery, access to the media and other election offenses.

“The reform agenda also includes eliminating the abuse of state money and the institutions of the state,” he remarked.

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28 Comments

  1. Man bite dogs
    April 26, 2018

    Lennox Linton, Reminds me of that story blackadder, who went to battle his enemy gave him a very good hiding lost about 1000 men that day, went back to the castle to see his Queen he had bruises allover his head, body, blood everywhere the Queen said to him my god man you got a beating? He said no mam just small scratches, he went back 5 years later and got even a bigger whooping then came the end ⚰️?

  2. April 26, 2018

    But Mr. Linton Sir, you cannot stiop an election if there are other parties contending, you are saying that you and your party will not contend. Or do you plan to organize another D-Day on election day? But just remember, whatever the issue or conflict, the present Goverment must continue, until it is deafeated.

  3. April 26, 2018

    @KID ON THE BLOCKApril 25, 2018

    What PM Skerrit has, which Linton can never have, is the “Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding” which is definitely, needed in every thing which has to do with Leadership; much more so for the Leader of a Country or State

    In as much as most people do not understand and to accept that fact, it is the Primary aspect of becoming a Leader, for as long as God Almighty–the Great Leader of Leaders –says. your time is up;

    Take the example of King Solomon, who was a young man–just like PM Skerrit–when he was appointed to be King of Israel., he said to God:

    “You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people”

    God gave Solomon the wisdom and knowledge which he asked for, including an amount of wealth, that made him the richest man in Israel–I can see that comparison in PM Skerrt; who isa God fearing man

  4. UDOHREADYET
    April 26, 2018

    Ask him what has he or his party done to do things he’s talking about… besides talk, blame and complain!

  5. analy thomas
    April 25, 2018

    While we plan for the future physically, our future is being planned in the spirit! All of this world issue and garbage requires one solution. ( That we become closer to God almighty!) That’s it!
    Now do you think this will ever happen? …….. Then our problems will continue and while we are at it prepare for the next 7 months.
    We have made ourselves, others and our monies and properties gods but only God almighty is God!
    Respond if you may but the truth will be revealed!
    Praise God!

  6. April 25, 2018

    Well, I don’t live in Dominica, but on either party, I see electoral reform is needed. At least when one party wins you will know that they were elected in honesty. Dead people should not be still on vote list, and there should be names of current voter list.
    If someone lives outside the country and they hold citizenship of this country, I don’t think they should be voting in Dominica.
    Reform is needed, its good for all parties. If no one speaks up now, it will continue for years and years to come. Wake up Dominica, this is the 21st century. Stop being bias.

    • Man bite dogs
      April 26, 2018

      @ Marve, There are no dead people on voting list it is all propaganda rubbish, coming from a bunch of Grovelling Left wingers useless party telling wicked and malicious lies to fool overseas people, and their stupid supporters in Dominica.

  7. April 25, 2018

    So if PM doesn’t give in , Will you tell your supporters to stay home and don’t go to the polls. That would surely give the DLP a victory. All am saying they should really clean the voters list. It’s to bloated .

  8. Gee_Joseph
    April 25, 2018

    Lennox Linton will never be pm as long as i am around, skerrit forever and ever and ever!

    • The One Of A Kind
      April 25, 2018

      I love your attitude but skeritt won’t be here forever
      Clown Linton won’t ever be PM..case closed

  9. zandoli
    April 25, 2018

    Skerrit must be doing a victory dance. While Linton and UWP are preoccupied with electoral reform, Skerrit handing out trinkets to people and buying their votes in the process. Good Job Linton. Let’s see how many DLP supporters you bring over to the other side.

    Since Hurricane Maria, Dominicans are only interested in themselves and what they can get for from you. If you have nothing to give them, you can cry about electoral reform until you are blue in the face and you will not get one additional vote.

    These UWP guys just don’t learn.

  10. Waiting for my backlash
    April 25, 2018

    Once you can overturn 900 plus votes in what was considered a DLP stronghold then I say we need no reform.

    Here’s how I see what Linton wants.

    The West Indies is going to play a five match test series vs England in the Caribbean . We know all of the English batsmen love fast bowling but are suspects against spin. So Linton is asking the West Indian side (DLP) to produce green tops, very fast pitches to suit the English side (UWP) for all of the five matches. I hope you all see the angle I am coming from.

  11. mine
    April 25, 2018

    When the PM was going for reformed Linton and his gangs was ready with stones to stone Parliament now the elcrazo asking for reform. Lennox called the former president black country but right now am seeing who is the country bookie.

  12. Faceup
    April 25, 2018

    Man Lennox all you need is money lots of money to pay people ticket to come vote for UWP, but no body want to donate money as long as you are opposition leader..I SAY GET OUT..

  13. April 25, 2018

    Mr. Linton, please tell what will happen if there is no electoral reform. It seems that the electoral reform you and your supporters are asking for must only include what the UWP wants.

  14. Rob-B
    April 25, 2018

    Linton needs help. I guess the plan is to burn down Roseau if he doesn’t get what he wants. I wonder what would be in stance if most of the overseas voters were coming home to vote for the UWP? No matter what changes are made that man will never be happy until he becomes PM. I’m waiting to see him pull that Roseau and Salisbury stunt again. Many of the participants pretty much got off last time but I’m not sure if they will be so lucky the next time around. Lennox is looking for reason to blame Skerrit but based on his record of inciting violence he will be held accountable for his actions and that will include immediate jail time.

    • Dominican by birth
      April 25, 2018

      Rob-B so you planning to burn down Roseau and blame it on Lennox Linton… Do you have Lennox Linton record on inciting violence to even plan immediate jail time for him?

      Rob-B how much were you paid for making those reckless indictable statements?

      Is only in Dominica all you can accuse innocent people and get away and you Rob-B knows why… Anyway ly your kite while the wind blows and remember when Roseau burn down I know where to send the Police to look for you

      • April 25, 2018

        Are u aware of what is happening in Dominican politics? Did you listen to Lennox on February 7th 2017 as he encouraged the crowd he was addressing to defy police order to stop a meeting at a prearranged time, this may resulted in the looting and burning of businesses in Roseau. Are you aware that that Lennox had to pay about a quater million dollars to Pinard Byrnes for saying that he had syphon money from the sale Dominican passports? Are you aware that Lennox has been found liable for calling government ministers rapist and might have to money to those ministers. The only person spreading reckless and inditable statements seem to be the person you are so blindly defending. We must also not forget Lennox ‘s statement at Salisbury that kolwosh will fall down like rain if police use tear gas again.

  15. Expat
    April 25, 2018

    Taking into consideration the number of people who were present at the meeting it looks like a lot of people did not accept the invitation to attend. What does that tell you?

  16. KID ON THE BLOCK
    April 25, 2018

    Lennox Linton just like attention. When the bell rings let’s hope he’ll be ready. Don’t you realize Skerrit not bla-blaing like you LENNOX!? The devil knows what you are trying but Skerrit smarter than you.
    Linton, the monies Government is giving to you and the other opposition pal rep for running you ALL constituency office, can you and the rest account for that? Can you tell us the location and times of operation of those offices? Wouldn’t that be accountability and transparency? Don’t tell me you ALL are receiving monies under false pretense and ripping off the Treasury.

    • April 26, 2018

      Kid on the block, see my response to yous above

  17. DeEyesHaveIt
    April 25, 2018

    “According to Linton, the UWP has been calling for electoral reform since May 2005.” Lennox you are a first class joker. Where were the calls for this reform when your party was in government?? Where were the calls in 2000 when it is a indisputed FACT that UWP brought in the most plane loads of people? The then un ambassador was a key part of coordinating. This line quoted above from the article speaks major volumes in other words your party only became interested in reform AFTER loosing the election and government in 2000. You became interested in so called reform because from the election which followed in 2005 and onwards, Labour started to do like your party and bring in people too….. Your party is sorely out of touch with the people of Dominica and their needs at this time and the picture above speaks loudly to your failure as a Opposition Party and you as Leader. Continue along this ridiculous path still…..smh

  18. Discuss Away
    April 25, 2018

    I disagree with preventing people from voting if they take residence outside of the island and would actually prefer is mail-in votes were allowed. Here’s why using students as an example. Many people leave Dominica for a period greater than 5 years in their young adulthood for school and then work. Preventing this group from voting removes the benefit of adding this younger/educated/more “worldly” demographic and their ideas to the voting pool. Additionally, brain drain has always been an issue at home and people could be reluctant to return to a country where they have no say in the administration.

    Additionally, during the last elections there were claims of parties flying people down to vote. Postal votes levels the playing field of overseas voters as a party that is financially weak doesn’t need to purchase expensive flights for votes.

    Overall, the diaspora affects Dominica’s economy regularly and shouldn’t be overlooked in elections if we hope to retain our citizens…

  19. Man bite dogs
    April 25, 2018

    Linton, you are a loser and talking crap who the hell you think you are boy, when Mr Skerrit administracion, gave you the opportunity for electoral reform you lots didn’t take it after making so much noise all over the place, Now you back again once more with your crazy old crap to disrupt people lifes, You believes you have the power to jump-start yourself into our lifes you better get your facts right old boy.

    • The One Of A Kind
      April 25, 2018

      Hahahahaha classic

  20. Smh
    April 25, 2018

    I firmly believe that if one does not live in Dominica, whether they have Dominican citizen ship or not, they should not be allowed to vote. I don’t live in Dominica at the moment. So why should I purposefully leave where I am to go home to vote. Whether the country prospersnor struggles under any administration it’s the people who live there who feel it so let them decide who they want handling their affairs. I think if Dominicans living abroad want to vote we should be made to pay taxes to Dominica. People argue that Americans living abroad vote via absentee ballot or what have you. However, American law stipulates that such Americans living abroad still have to pay taxes to America. So if we want to maintain that right then I believe we should be made to pay taxes.

    • Man bite dogs
      April 25, 2018

      Smh, what are you on about your little birds brain dose not work well is it, possibly to much dope or something like that? People leaving outside the UK still entitled to vote as long as they have registered before going out of the country, secondly who do you think building most of the properties in Dominica people like me who went out work hard to come back and build in Dominica, not Linton, not you,…..

    • April 25, 2018

      Non cense do American outside of the country vote on election day the answer Is yes so get your fax right and there are no limit on the length of time you are out of the country as long as you are registered to vote.

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