Hundreds of citizens who were gathered at last evening’s peaceful protest to demand the calling off of the upcoming general election in the absence of electoral reform were given the assurance that last evening’s gathering was only the start of what’s to come.
Last evening- November 17- 2022, marked the start of what the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), which comprises opposition parties and civil society organisations in Dominica, said is the first of a series of actions that will be taken in an attempt to get the Prime Minister to call off the snap election which is scheduled to be conducted on December 6, 2022.
Addressing the attendees, Executive Member of the National Joint Action Movement (NJAM) and General Secretary of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Johnson Boston declared that “we are saying to the Prime Minister that we want electoral reform and we must get electoral reform.”
“Jump high jump low Dominica must get electoral reform. And whether they get nominated tomorrow the movement continues. We are not stopping this movement. This movement is to clean the nonsense in this country and that is what we are about,” he stated.
Airing that the group is standing to defend Dominica’s democracy, Boston noted the “fight to save” Dominica cannot be left to a selected few and called on all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation to also take a stance with them.
“The police, the public servants, the farmers, the unions, the youths, every Dominican, should stand up for Dominica because, at the end of it, a party may come, a party may go but our country must remain intact,” he said. “And when we
are attacked by those who use our democracy to be in government, when we are attacked by them we have to stand up and we have to resist the attack so they know that we here in Dominica, we are not asleep and we will not stand for nonsense.”
While he says that some may use the “excuse” that the Prime Minister has the right to call an early election under the constitution, the DFP and NJAM executive member stressed that one must not take advantage of such rights irrespective of their position.
“You mustn’t be a nuisance with the right. you mustn’t be a foolish man with rights. You mustn’t be a wicked person with the right. You have to administer the rights for every citizen. What Skerrit has done is to declare war on democracy in Dominica. What he has done is to defy Dominicans, Labour against the rest, but we are about unity,” Boston said.
He noted that the team is just gearing up for the days ahead, and he encouraged all citizens to lend their support by showing up in massive numbers which he opines will send a clear message to the present regime that enough is enough.
“We are not going to sleep and you must not sleep, you must be with us because at the end of the day victory will be ours,” Boston asserted.
Echoing similar sentiments, Social Activist and member of NJAM Paula Celestine, expressed the organization’s disgust for what she labelled as a disregard by the Prime Minister for the people’s desire for a free and fair election.
“We are here today with one voice saying no electoral reform, no elections. However, we know that the manner in which our corrupt electoral system is designed 21 Labour Party stooges will be nominated. So ladies and gentlemen that are here we have many options… which we will not disclose,” she made known.
She pressed the need for those gathered and listening to join forces and unite to demand that there will be no election in Dominica without reform.
“I say to each and every one of you that are here, this does not end here and it should not end here” Celestine stated. “Whatever the outcome is, we are saying that we are in a democratic country and we should not stand for what Roosevelt has imposed on the people of Dominica.”
You all playing smart NO REFORM NO ELECTION, by the time you all send ONLY independent candidates, to make believe that you all not in election at all. Good thing we the people know you all and we will not take you forgranted. The first BOM came from the man on the west, it burst, the second BOM came from the labour party it burst BOM,BOM. It brought JUDAS back and the last BOM WILL BURST, BOOM,BOOM, BOOM.
“we are saying to the Prime Minister that we want electoral reform and we must get electoral reform.” News Article
I have a lot of trouble deciphering the theme of these people’s message. I mean what is the point of this statement above at this time. How can it stop an election, which is due within the next 17 days? And who said that “election reform” will not be enacted in Dominica?
“Whatever the outcome is, we are saying that we are in a democratic country and we should not stand for what Roosevelt has imposed on the people of Dominica.” Said this “NJAM Paula Celestine” person.
All I can perceive is a form of cowardice with senseless talks.
Who is the “we” she is referring to when it clear that the wide majority of the people of Dominica are with the Labor Party.
Their foolish fight against, the PM Skerrit will do nothing to upgrade their status, that is what they should be concerned about.
In one of my responses below, I wrote that the election is this coming Tuesday. Sorry that is a blind error on my part, I must be pulling the end of November, because I have my own goals to reach by that time.
You have no goals, nor do you have any standards. You fit in well with Skerrit you shameless hypocrite.
you probably not even in Dominica so no surprise.
What crowd? Where was Dominica? Where is the president of the civil service union and his secretary who failed to call members out? Why are they always out of state, doing what? Seeking what? Cowards!!!! Where is Mr.G who has never mentioned Skerrit by name on his show. Where are the big mouths attorneys and the lengthy monologued commentators? Where ware everybody? CAPAUT!!!! Over one man.
Did you say Unions???😄😄😄
Where are the pastors
Where are the priests
The rest of the private sector
Those who call themselves, and profess to be christians!!!
Our democracy is in peril. Its under attack!!
Qudos to ALL who attended!!
I totally agree with you. They all hiding in the bushes at present and some are sitting on the fence!
Dominica is in a dictatorship now, soon the dictator will send in his goon squads dressed up in camouflage playing soldier to beat up people.
The call for electoral reform is being heard far and wide, and Dominicans opposed to that DLP recalcitrant regime should stand up and declare to this “two face, bold face liar” that “enough is enough” and we will no longer stand for his deception and in your face disrespect, it is time for “massa to free jah people the mental slavery attitude that he has created. No Reform No Election period!!!
I wonder what UWP mean by NO REFORM NO ELECTION.Is it that they are not contesting without reform?in that case it would be good riddance.Or that they will stop the election from taking place without reform?in that case it cannot happen.UWP is gone from the political scene,extermated,liquadated
Johnson Boston is the biggest nuisance in Dominica.Boston is general secretary of DFP,DFP has been dead since 2000.This election is the third election DFP cannot field a candidate.We live in a democratic country where a minority of failed political people want to impose their will on the majority.That is Dominican democracy for Boston.
Utter rubbish you talking. Before it was Lennox, then it was Arthy, then it was Thompson… Make up your mind. May I suggest that YOU are the biggest nuisance in DA. You are worse than a swarm of mosquitoes but unlike you those little blighters have a little bit of brain.
@CLOWN
Boston walks with his head high. A champion of morality, integrity and good governance in public office. He could be purchased like you, but said NO!!! I deeply respect and applaud him his loyalty and patriotism. He is a GOOD EXAMPLE!!!.
No fault of his that you were so cheaply purchased!! VOWAS!!!!
Happy that i was present to show to Skerrit that his cunning deceipt, deception, lack of morals, integrity and probity are largely despised by Dominicans. In a fair election it’s quite clear that his corrupt and polluted reign in office will be halted!!
I strongly agree with the boycott of this TAINTED election by the opposition parties. Would be even happier if ZERO independent candidate had taken part in Skerrit’s farce!!
If the DIasporans had any doubt of the poor appeal of the hodgepodge of opposition groups in Dominica, including the near-defunct UWPwee, they should look at this sorry sight of a “mass national meeting!”
The PM is correct, the people of Dominica have boycotted Linton and his gang. This is one of our parting gifts to him, a snub, and a message to his satellites.
That VOLEH did the crime. Now he is afraid to do the time; but he cannot escape he fenced his own self in a maze and he cannot get out. He he is running scared and he is desperate like a Rat 🐀 in a trap.
@Love it, I wish I knew who is the VOLEH that you are speaking about. The story is about the UWPites and the Dominica Freedom Party, who will not be contesting the General Election come this Tuesday. So who is the “he” that is running scared?
How about YOU being the voleh? You are one nasty piece of work. Making is believe you are a god fearing individuals. Mash!
Why would you call God’s daughter a nasty piece of work? King Charles has made his requirements tougher to be knighted Lord. Don’t you want to be called Lord?
What a waste of time and energy. 5 more years for Labour believe it or not.