Former President of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Loftus Durand is encouraging the Dominican public to turn out in large numbers outside Parliament today to call for electoral reform.
The CCM has been actively advocating for electoral reform in Dominica since January 2018, through its weekly radio programmes, public education campaign, and a number of public protests against such issues as the government’s proposed amendment to the Elections Act.
“Outside our parliamentary building where laws are supposed to be enacted, to ensure that at least that very long drawn out situation of electoral reform, just making the process free and fair, putting the mechanism in place that, that will be done,” he said.
He continued, “So whenever the next [general] election is called in Dominica, the Dominican population, by and large, should be much more satisfied…”
Durand added, “February 7, 2023, that is the first sitting of parliament. We are calling the people of Dominica out, we are not calling party supporters, we are calling on Dominicans, those of you who believe in your country, those of you who believe in democracy, come out and be counted on that day.”
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told a press conference last week that consultation with the renowned Caribbean jurist, Sir Dennis Byron took place on Monday, January 23.
He described that engagement as “very constructive” where they both looked at some of the recommendations.
“I really have no difficulties with the recommendations,” Skerrit stated. “I have reminded him of the urgency of getting it out of the way. Ideally, the Government would like to go to parliament before the next session of parliament, that is to say before June 30, 2023.”
The prime minister said Byron indicated to him that, “all things considered, he believes we can go to parliament in April of this year to pass the necessary legislation.”
Meantime, members of parliament will take the oath of allegiance at the First Meeting of the First Session of the Eleventh Parliament this morning.
President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin will deliver an address while Prime Minister Skerrit is expected to present proclamations for the dissolution of parliament.
Stopped from doing what Marie? You know how he should have been stopped? When he had called the elections all of you should have gone out to vote and throw him out like other opposition parties in other Caribbean countries have done. There could be no issue of overseas voters this time because the snap election was snap for him too so very few if any overseas voters came in.
I personally have no issue with duly registered Dominicans residing abroad who can vote legitimately under the current laws coming in to vote. I have a constitutional right to my personal opinion.
After all, many who oppose the government reside overseas, are citizens of other countries and stay on their perches there (to quote a well known figure) and dictate in very loud voices what should be done in Dominica and even who Dominicans should and shouldn’t vote for.
So why didn’t you all go to the polls and vote him out? You want to stop him by riot and civil disobedience? Good luck with that!
DNO, I need an applause button to insert here. Souplay. Well said Barbara!
Genuine and sensible electoral reforms are mostly likely to cause the glutton (the Dominican King Jong-un) at the top of the food chain his position and power. Therefore, Roosevelt will do anything and everything humanly possible to prevent this from happening.
Roosevelt doesn’t play fair. He always seeks for an unfair advantage. He is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice than to relinquish the high-rise position that he presently occupies.
Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the vacant lots of an abandoned mind. That’s was written specifically for Lying Roosevelt.
So folks
The election was held prior to the expected electoral reform. Outrage? yes?
Mr. Byron submitted RECOMMENDATIONS. As far as the public is aware, the RECOMMENDATIONS are contained in a confidential report to the PM and the Leader of the Opposition. The report has not been released to the Dominican public on whose behalf everyone is claiming to be speaking.
Now tell me which serious person would expect the RECOMMENDED draft laws to go before parliament today? And if no serious person would expect that, which serious person would have joined the protest? Which serious person would not have questioned the motives of the protest organisers?
So can we now expect a continuation of cursing out Dominicans for applying commonsense for the next five year term of the government?
People made a supposedly principled decision not to contest elections. So now the reality has hit home, Dominicans must help you salvage your usual failed strategies? Give me a break!
Eh bien, Skerrit hypocrite papa
So,why do we have a picture of the PALACE instead of the PARLIAMENT
Let’s be correct in our presentation.
I also call on all Dominicans to join us. Skerrit has to be stoped.