Dominica’s Permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) Hubert Charles says he is “happy the way voting has been going” on so far in general election being held in Dominica today.
“I can report on the enthusiasm and peaceful things that I have seen … high level of maturity on the way the people are doing their civic duties, ” Charles told DNO.
He said he is satisfied with what he has seen so far.
“Election is a passionate thing and Dominicans are very serious about voting,” he said.
Charles said he has “high praises” for those responsible for the control and conduct of the elections.
DNO visited various polling stations in Newtown, Roseau, Castle Bruce, Pointe Michel, Kalinago Territory and Stockfarm and a high number of voters were seen lining up to cast their ballots.
In some areas residents began lining up as early as 6:30 am to await the opening of polling stations at 7:00 am.
Residents of the Roseau North constituency turned out in large numbers.
That constituency was described by head of Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), Peter Wickham as one of the battlegrounds in this year’s general election.
United Workers Party (UWP) candidate, Daniel Lugay will go up against candidate for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), Julius Timothy.
Timothy has been the MP forthe constituency since 1995, when he won in for the UWP.
He crossed the floor from the UWP to the DLP in 2007.
He went up against Lugay in the 2009 general elections and won by 117 votes.
There were loud murmurs among voters from the communities of Stockfarm, Yampiece and Bellevue Rawle who were not pleased that only one house was assigned to them as a polling station.
As a result voters had to be constantly called on and cautioned to reduce the noise level by the police officer stationed at that polling station.
The complaints became louder and louder as the line appeared to remain stagnant while the hours fly back.
Voters complained that the two hours assigned to them for voting was simply not enough.
One voter, a landscaper in Roseau, lamented that her prescribed time for voting had expired and the sun was getting hotter and hotter on the area she was supposed to work for the day. She also said she had no breakfast.
Some voters sought refuge in some cool shade opposite the station and a new line was formed.
Others braved the late morning sun and insisted that they were not leaving until they had cast their vote.
Well done Dominica. You have done your job. it is now up to the elected ones (both government and opposition) to deliver the representation the people so desires.
Well. DNO this election has you working a lot and overtime. After this you will need a vacation.
Thank you for providing us with election information.
Something to consider for the next election, additional polling stations will be required for these areas. The few of them are insufficient for those areas mentioned.
The voters need much more time than two hours. They need a half-day.
Thank God it did not rain and I hope, nowhere in Dominica. Lining up in rain would not be fun.
i took 4 hrs to vote. process isnt user friendly. old and disabled people dont need to have to stand in a line in the blazing sun just to vote.
WHY MUST IT TAKE ME ALMOST 4 HRS OF STANDING IN THE SUN JUST TO CAST MY VOTE!!!! ITS THIS NONSENSE TAT WILL DETER THE PEOPLE FROM VOTING IN THE FUTURE. NEVER ME AGAIN, NOT UNLESS YOU PEOPLE FIND A MORE USER FRIENDLY PROCESS. OLD AND DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT NONSENSE!!!!!. IT WAS HARD ON ME AND IM AN ABLE BODIED PERSON, MUCH LESS FOR THEM!!!!! OH NO MAN WILL WE EVER ADVANCE IN THE WAY WE DO THINGS HERE? WHY CAN I NOT VOTE AT ANY POLLING STATION IN MY CONSTITUENCY AND HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WILL INFORM ALL OTHER POLLING STATIONS THAT I HAVE CASTED MY VOTE? ALL THE MONEY GOVT SPENDING ON NONSENSE LIKE BILLBOARD, AND FOREIGN ARTIST. HIRE LOCAL SYSTEM DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP SUCH A SYSTEM. NOT TO VOTE ONLINE, BUT ONCE YOU VOTE, YOU ARE CROSSED OFF THE LIST TO ALLOW ME TO VOTE IN ANY POLLING STATION IN MY CONSTITUENCY.