Roseau, February 7, 2023 – The Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) is very concerned about blatant attempts by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to insert himself in the electoral reform process and his continued engagement with Sir Dennis Byron, the consultant engaged to review and advance the electoral reform process, in an attempt to influence the process in favor of the ruling Dominica Labour Party.
The ERC recognizes the responsibility of the government of Dominica is to provide the financial resources for the activities of the Electoral Commission and to present legislation related to the electoral process to the parliament, however, the Prime Minister as the direct beneficiary from the electoral laws, has no other authority over the electoral process and he must be told in no uncertain terms to stay away from the works of Sir Dennis Byron and the constitutional responsibilities of the Electoral Commission.
Roosevelt Skerrit has demonstrated blatant disrespect to the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the international community by calling two general elections within three years in defiance of legitimate requests for
electoral reform. His last act of such blatant disrespect was the sham general elections of December 6, 2022, which saw a turnout of only 15,114 voting for the Dominica Labour Party from a bloated electors list of 74,895 voters or 20.18% of the registered voters.
Roosevelt Skerrit must accept the people’s repudiation of his despicable behavior and must stay away from the electoral reform process.
The Electoral Reform Coalition ERC has remained engaged following the December 6, 2022, sham general elections and will maintain its consistency in the fight for comprehensive electoral reform for Dominica. The group continues to meet, plan and strategize on the way forward to achieve the long-awaited electoral reform.
Since the sham elections and understanding that Sir Dennis Byron has submitted his report and draft legislation to the Electoral Commission, the sole authority on electoral matters in the Commonwealth of Dominica, the ERC has written to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Duncan Stowe, requesting a copy of Sir Dennis Byron’s report and for it to be made public. Mr. Stowe has failed to acknowledge receipt of the ERC’s correspondence and has ignored the request to make the Byron report available. Based on Mr. Stowe’s behavior, he has proven to be unfit to continue to hold the chairmanship of the Electoral Commission, and the ERC appeals to His Excellency the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica to desist from reappointing Duncan Stowe as chairman of the Electoral Commission when the term of the commission ends on February 7, 2023.
The ERC is convinced that Sir Dennis Byron is well aware of the fact that though he was engaged by the Prime Minister and his services were paid for by the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, that he is not responsible to Roosevelt Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party. In understanding his responsibility Sir Dennis Byron, according to his report, waited until the Electoral Commission was duly constituted before he started his contracted assignment.
Therefore, any discussions with Roosevelt Skerrit in his capacity as Prime Minister or leader of the Dominica Labour Party must either be reciprocated with the other parties involved in the electoral process or the contents of the consultation must be made public. Otherwise, the integrity, impartiality, transparency, and objectivity of Sir Dennis Byron shall be compromised and will continue to complicate the electoral reform process. Secret discussions with Roosevelt Skerrit are unacceptable.
The ERC commends the many Dominicans, at home and abroad, who supported its efforts and in particular the voters who boycotted the December 6, 2022, sham general elections, by staying away from the polls. The work of the ERC will depend highly on the continuous support and contribution of the Dominican people at home and abroad. The ERC appeals to the people of Dominica to support all efforts aimed at achieving proper electoral reform and commend the organizers for the protest activities planned for the opening of the new parliament on Tuesday, February 7, 2022. The ERC reiterates that Roosevelt Skerrit must stay away from the work of the electoral commission, the duly constituted authority of elections in Dominica.
The blatant political polarization of the fourth estate is the catalyst for thought stagnancy in Dominica. People generally listen to a particular radio station to reinforce their preconceived notions and beliefs, and the stations pander to their groups of listeners.
In order for there to be meaningful change, there needs to be at least one politically impartial radio station which engages in civil discourse and polite dialogue and debate.
Can DNO fill that void? Could be Dominica News Station (DNS)
The election observers in 2009,2014,2019 and 2022 have ALL said the elections held in Dominica were free and fair,and reflected the will of the people conducted according to LAW.The opposition interpretation of the PEOPLE is the minority,that is why they continue to lose every election.The majority of the PEOPLE are not interested in electoral reform,unless the opposition understand that, they will remain in the yard.Example Sham Douglas a poto UWPtold UWP and their supporters do not take part in the 2022 election because it was a sham,a disrespect to the people and immoral.UWP with all their high level of intelligence listened to Sham.Today Sham is sitting high and dry in the sham parliament,while a handful of aholes in the high street dun tofaying.Who is the JAH KA.S Sham Douglas or UWP and their supporters.
If the Prime Minister put anything into effect that does not give EVERY Dominican the right to vote,whether in or out of Dominica, there will be a massive protest.Every Dominican has a right to vote whether out of Dominica for 10,20 or 30 years as long as there is proof that person is Dominican.
The law doesnt say so. In your head maybe it does. but by law such is not the case.
Aright so now lets file a case of no confidence in Skerrow,,,
There is the proof that was needed in order to bring the violation(s) of his oath of office and now there is the case to bring Action!!!
C’mon one of you legal professionals here in Dominica must file an action to bring down and to Stop this Dictatorial regime from continuing its fraudulent activities in the name of True Democracy,,,
So Question to Sir Byron: Is it in his humble opine, believe that the current parliament as assembled is illegitimate???
Rastar stand to be corrected, but from what this reading says in the last election was a Sham doesn’t that make the process subject to be null and void???
Call another snap election in a year and a half, if you run things and have Balls.
It was much better for me under colonialism that it is under men black as coal. As is their complexion so is their heart. “There is a time and season for everything under heaven.” Fools don’t believe that.
The legal terminology is electoral REFORM as stated by the ERC. I observe the government refer to Electoral MODERNIZATION. Not sure if that is deliberate.
Whilst both words can have similar meanings they are not necessarily the same.
1. Reform is “TO CHANGE” and tends to be a deliberate change to the complete structures and processes with the objective of getting them to run better.
2. Modernisation forms part of the reform process however, can also have a narrower and more concrete connotation than reform. Example: modernisation could be narrowed down to just look new solutions to make the same process more streamlined, so instead of filling out a paper form, using a computerized system that has the same information, which makes the process/workflow more efficient.
Regardless of the terminology used verbally, it’s important to ensure all formal written documentation states this is an “Electoral Reform”.
Party politics aside, all Dominicans deserve an unbiased and fair electoral process that works for EVERYONE for the benefit of ALL. The press statement from the ERC sets this out clearly. It’s so important to build out political and social foundations in Dominica that works for the many, not just the few. Ruling by division halts progress and at best achieves nothing. I sincerely hope a respectable outcome is achieved with the electoral reforms, that suit the greater and deserving Dominican community as a whole!
Stowe is and has been a Skerrit puppet. We can’t allow any one of them to get involved with this otherwise the outcome will be clear. Skerrit has done enough damage to our country and he has to be stoped now once and for all.
Talk on this topic of electoral reform must be accompanied by sustained action. It’s time to go beyond talk.
The electoral system is the fulcrum of any democracy. Roosevelt has an incestuous relationship with those he handpicked to guide the electoral process. The present electoral system has more loopholes for corruption than a fish pot.
There are two main problems in Dominica. There is not enough outrage from enough residents. The other is that the news media is weak, biased, pusillanimous, and of little moment.
Anytime there is a bad and corrupt government in any country the PRESS is weak or non-existent.
My final words are these: Good journalism is what maintains democracy.