Lecturer at the Dominica State College (DSC) Mr. Bernard Sanderson has called for the setup of an independent committee responsible for evaluating recommendations from the recently held series of consultations on electoral reform, in order to be brought before Parliament.
His call came during an electoral reform consultation held at Marigot last week.
“In order to make these consultations meaningful and to serve the best interest of the people of the country, we need to set up an independent committee which will evaluate the recommendations from those consultations and put together a report of proposals for submission to Parliament,” he said.
According to Mr. Sanderson, after these consultations, it would be hypocritical and a betrayal of trust for the Attorney General, Levi Peter and the rest of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) leadership to decide on their own what sort of electoral reform proposals should be submitted to Parliament for approval.
“The electoral system that we come up with should be one that entrusts that we do not facilitate treating, bribery, dishonesty and injustice,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Mr. Sanderson said the Labour Party government depends heavily on the use of voters overseas to remain in power.
“And that is why the Labour Party leadership is determined to prevent the kind of electoral reform that will ensure that voters from overseas do not interfere with the outcome of elections,” he argued.
He explained that under the present legislation, a citizen of Dominica who has been away for more than five years and returns to Dominica two months before the elections will not be allowed to vote because of the three-month residency requirement.
“However, a Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of another country who has been resident on island for 12 months will be allowed to vote,” Sanderson explained.
He continued, “In this case, it is clear that Commonwealth citizens are allowed to vote because of the satisfaction of a residency requirement. But the Dominican citizen is not allowed to vote because of the failure to satisfy that residency requirement.”
Mr. Sanderson went on to state that voting is about governance.
“We vote to elect representatives to represent us…so it is against the spirit of the constitution and undemocratic and… injustice to voters who reside out of Dominica to be allowed to return here to determine the outcome of the elections in favour of a particular party,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, he agreed that in order to restore the independence of the electoral commission there should be a restructuring.
“My suggestion is that membership should increase from five to seven,” Mr. Sanderson advised.” One nominee from the ruling party, one nominee from the opposition and the other five nominees should come from private sector organizations, religious organizations, the bar association and labour union,” Mr. Sanderson suggested.
Mr. Sanderson has always been one of the best lecturers at DSC. A very intelligent man who thinks above a lot of these mental midgets. You can’t let thiefs correct their crime. They will waste time and act like nothing is needed. We need to quit putting our faith in the criminals that are ruining our nation.
We the People,before DNO post another one of your fake news read Section 34(2) page # 42 of the constitution.The electoral commission is not independent it is controlled by Parliament in that case government.
Which constitution are you referring to? Or are you referring to the law. There are no such sections in the constitution.
I don’t particularly care for Linton but would you want the same politicians in power for 56 years,popular or not? That’s why they just had a coup on Garbon.
Ds, mind your business. Stay in your lane.
In the USA you are living. ..vote your Trump or Biden..
So you agree sos that you are a Jacka in the land of the educated.I guy once told me the reason UWP is always losing election is because they have too many aholes as supporters.
UWP did not lose any election that they participated in recently. They were the victims of a overly corrupt system orchestrated by a nakedly, unabashed, diseased cheat.
IBO, you sound like a Trump supporter wee! You only believe elections is free and fair when you win. When you lose, election stollen from you. I suspect you might be one of those “Blacks for Trump” idiots.
When the highest volume of air/sea traffic in 5 years happens during an election, it’s not far fetched. When voter turnout is less than 15% in the next election, it’s not far fetched. But you clearly are incentivized by corruption so keep moving, wee!
The difference is as follows: Trump was lying about the election results, in contrast IBO is telling the truth. Having said that, Red Necks like you and the other red fanatics wouldn’t admit that. How many dead people voted in recent Dominican elections, how many voters where bribed to put there cross in a certain box, how many Haitians voted in recent elections, how many people voted twice and three times in different constituencies?
I do not even bother to talk about the fairness of recent elections. No fairness at all!
If not in jail, Trump will win the next election.
@ibo France, let me remind you that the only election won by the UWP they only got 32% of the votes cast. Furthermore with all the noise that the UWP has been making about election fraud over the past several years they are yet to claim that their supporters are been removed from the list or denied the right to vote. Bunch of lovers.
There is NO need for any independent committee on electoral reform. The Constitution of Dominica, at section 38 clearly states that the Electoral Commission SHALL be responsible for the registration of electors and the conduct of elections. That is the lifeblood of the Commission; the reason why it exists.
If this Constitutional Body which has conducted all our elections and by elections cannot say what is required to improve the electoral process, then God help us.
As I see it, those consultations by the government was against the Constitution and a total waste of time and money. Clearly some persons were given scripts to read from. Case in point the lady from the Kalinago Territory. She had so much to say and in the end was asking for the report so it can be read. Even to the point of asking if the report can be purchased. That lady made a complete fool of herself
The present electoral commission is, as everything in DA, controlled by the Horrible PM. That’s why we need an INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
That election reform is a waste of time since it is so difficult to catch a thief who is bent on stealing. In a real country this advice would have been sound but don’t forget Skerrit himself told us Dominica is not a real country.
Fact is people can start independent but as they go in Skerrit has the money to buy their judgement and not too many Dominicans are able to resist money.
We find ourselves in a situation where Skerrit bought 19 of the 21 seats in parliament and he bought the house speaker, the president no matter who comes, the election commissioner and majority of the commission, the police commissioner and all his heads, most of our pastors, priests, that so called evangelist and quite a few of our church goers. Then he successfully destroyed the present and future of our young people with that ganja he legalized and the sewo he has every weekend. Then he buys people in the Diaspora to vote where he needs them and Haitians they registers where he is weak etc. So is SOS
Mr. Sanderson I beg you to awake from that sleepy stupor and face reality. Independent committee for what? To blah blah blah blah again? Skerrit has contaminated any such a committee before it is impaneled. The world is laughing at us with all our talk talk talk and talk. What we need is a special committee to call out the people to the streets like yesterday. One that will endorse a fight to the end 24/7 until the regime is no more. Joint the fight on the street Sando. Get your Ukranian Boozie like me and others ready because we believe Domlec will cut power as soon as the struggle starts. Let’s roll people…..sound the call.
All Mr. Sanderson did was belch hot air. Same old issue about overseas voters interfering in Dominica elections all of which are UWP talking points. This independent committee who are going to be the members? Are they going to be given devine powers by God? What will be the job of this committee and who will be empowered by law to appoint this committee? And will the government just be required to rubber stamp this committee’s recommendations into law? This is just more stauling tactics by the UWP and its operatives. Enough talk and consultations! Pass the law.
@point, “Pass the law”?. Which law? Democracy requires that the citizens of Dominica participate in the process and all that Byron did was put forward suggestions. Alas did you go to school in August? Which school was that? He who knows not, and knows not that he doesn’t know,is a fool. Shun him. Well??!!
@ jonathan y st jean, didn’t the citizens take part in a public consultation on electoral reform over the last two weeks? Pass the law, people like you only believe in the rule of law when the law is what you want. A select committee will only add more talk and confusion leading to more time been wasted, but I guess that’s what educated fools like you want. You talk of democracy for Dominica, your democracy for Dominica is where only the UWP has its say and its way. You and your party are not interested in electoral reform, because you all know that with or without electoral reform the UWP will continue lose elections until they start concerning themselves with the development of people.
@Point, again I ask you, which law?. Coming out of the consultations the ideas have to be considered, consolidated and then, and only then will a proposed legislation be brought to parliament for deliberations. Point, whatever you are taking isn’t good for you. Stop it!!. Pass “the”law my foot. Which law?
Mister Sanderson is very clever and has a perceptive brain. I fully agree with you Mr Sanderson, re the setting up of a broad independent committe to sit down and decide what type of reform we get..As far as possible the politicians should be excluded, since they have a vested interest in those reforms…Skerrit and those in the Skerrit Labour Party (SLP), should be out, UWP, DFP, TOD, Pappy Party, etc, also out….. But the taxpayers money must be used to give each political party on island a chance of participating fairly in our elections. The present system used by the Skerrit Labour Party (SLP), is ROTTEN and LOADED WITH CORRUPTION, and needs to change even as i am engaging my keyboard.
It stinks of corrupt and fraudulent election rigging from 2009!!!
Thanks for your well thought out contributions, Mr Sanderson. The ruling cabal isn’t interested in genuine electoral reform but is happy to put on a show of listening to diverse views only to do what the he’ll they want. My reason for saying this is the fact that other neutral regional entities had put forward solid ideas for electoral reform but we got promises which turned out to be empty. This time we’ll get something done but alas I’m not holding my breath that a corrupt regime ruled by populist rulers will suddenly have an epiphany.
@Jonathan Y St. Jean, for people like you and Sanderson when it comes to electoral reform the only opinioNs that should matter are those of the UWP. You all are just a bunch of hypocrites.
@Point, the last time I checked Dominica has 5 registered political parties. Wake up from your slumber and face the facts. You can only see things through your rose colored blinders but that’s your business not mine. By the way. I’ll fight to defend your rights to wear those rose colored blinders. How’s that?
You can’t fight to defend my right as a Dominican as you are one of those who have sold your birthright. You are only concerned about hating and spreading your evil propaganda. Why don’t you return home and make a more meaningful contribution. At least Dominicans see and hear from Skeritt everyday but your political leader Doctor Thompson Fontaine lives and works in the far away land of South Sudan. You all are just a bunch of dishonest hypocrites, don’t forget your former leader and his lawyer were exposed by Aljezeera as they tried to sell(layaway) diplomatic passport to raise money for the 2019 election campaign, you all are just a shameless bunch…..
@Point, I am a citizen of Dominica by birth and both the US and Dominica recognize dual citizenship. Your nonsense rant about me selling my birthright is only that, pure nonsense.
So point why do you support so vehemently the selling of Dominica’s birthright in terrorist countries, and you will defend the right of these people who don’t even know where Dominica is to vote in the elections. You make no sense.
The electoral reform exercise was nothing more than a monumental farce under a government that is not even remotely honest nor transparent.
Roosevelt is terribly scared of losing power. So, at all cost, he would even sell his soul to Senator forces to hang on to his throne and his ill begotten material gains. Removing him will take an uprising by every fiercely patriotic Dominican. That’s it!
This Sanderson, so-called lecturer is talking blue parrots crap like most comedian on the workers bandwagon their motives are to deliberately consciously and intentionally slowly trying to derail the electoral reform then turn around to have their
stupid arrogant followers blaming Pm Skerrit, once again but this Labour government will be putting electoral reform into motion toughs**t those don’t like it, Dogs eat Dog; for years ugly Lenny, little boys been playing games, the end of the rope is here now to put an end to that s**t.
You are fiercely jealous of intelligent people. The gentleman has the academic credentials to prove he is legit. You, on the other hand, can’t even lecture a group of preschoolers.
Go take up a ‘Hooked On Phonics’ book. Learn the different sounds that each letter of the alphabet.
A for apple
B for bat
C for cat
D for my name – Dog Biter.
:mr
green: 
Back to to preschool, dog bite dog….
The truth hurts doesn’t it dogs
Who is smarter,he can lecture to convince people to vote DLP over and over again.With all your education you cannot convince people,after 23 years to vote UWP.You cannot even convince people to take to the street in your demonstration.So,who is the Jacka?
Very good idea. I second that!
Great points. We currently don’t even follow the current legislation thus why a report is not taken from immigration to determine who has been out of the country for more than 5 years but yet show up to vote.
You Jonathan stop short of telling Point the recommendations put forward by you, Lapin Andre and the others is not law.How about that,hypocrite.You talk about blinders,but 2 feet away from you, you cannot see UWP is a dead registered party.Tell point the electoral reform you are trying to force down the throats of Dominicans is not the law of Dominica.
When we have honesty on all our dealings, we will get good government. Whether is is in your homelife, your working life, your friendships and your political life.
Mr Skerrit and Mr Astaphan are not by definition honest men. There anything that they concoct will be wrong and wicked.
This teacher from Marigot has the right answer, but we must be ware of teachers, who start out good and then become despots like Mr Robert Mugabee of Zimbabwe and one R Skerrit if Vie Casse.
Sir Bryon Dennis (90), maybe a bit too old to have the energy to deal with Roosevelt Skerrit 50).
Mr. Sanderson you could not have said it better. Hope everyone involve takes your advice.
Mr. Sanderson
You’ve made a sterling contribution to this discussion on electoral reform. DLP is only don’t want voter ID cards due to its limiting effect on their election outcomes. We must do what is best for Dominica and not what is best for a particular party.
An independent committee is necessary for dealing with this matter of electoral reform or else it will be electoral reform.
More pumping …. from that so-called Professor Emeritus. I have no doubt in my mind that one of you will die from electoral reformlitis before the next election comes around.
Ds, mind your business. Stay in your lane.
In the USA you are living. ..vote your Trump or Biden..
It’s a noble cause to die for.
The D ip S tick would understand that.