Today, 17th December 2019, is a sad day for Dominica’s democracy. The Dominica Labour Party, lead by Roosevelt Skerrit and his Barbadian handlers, has perfected the art of rigging elections to the point where it will be impossible for the Dominica Labour Party to ever be removed from office by the ballot.
For all those who are comfortable with the results of the December 6th, 2019, General Elections, they should make a basic Google search on what is Electoral Fraud and they will find the following definition from Wikipedia:
“Electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election fraud, election manipulation or vote rigging, is illegal interference with the process of an election, either by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates, or both. What exactly constitutes electoral fraud varies from country to country. Although technically the term “electoral fraud” covers only those acts which are illegal, the term is sometimes used to describe acts which are legal, but considered morally unacceptable, outside the spirit of an election or in violation of the principles of democracy.”
A political party that came into office in 2000 with a budget of less than EC$200,000.00, twenty years later lavishly spend EC$75 Million on an election campaign without conducting a single fundraising activity and with clear evidence from an international media organization, Aljazeera, that the Dominica Labour Party raises its funds from the sale of Dominica’s diplomatic passports and through the Citizenship By Investment programme.
The Dominica Labour Party’s lavish spending had no end and they were unapologetic as to the source of their funding, which appeared to be a bottomless pit. They paid opposition supporters to speak on their platform, constructed houses for would-be supporters without Physical Planning permission, chartered ferries to carry clapping supporters to campaign in neighbouring islands, brought down renowned international artists for hundreds of thousands of dollars to perform in free concerts, paid old candidates to vacate positions and new ones to replace them, all candidates enjoyed a bonanza of funds, free transportation food and drinks to all party activities, elaborate and expensive campaign paraphernalia and to cap it all up chartered dozens of aircraft to import voters to vote for the Dominica Labour Party.
The revelation by Annette Sanford of the Kalinago Territory that the Prime Minister in the presence of the Lawrence brothers offered her a bribe of $120,000.00 to abandon the opposition UWP and to speak on the Labour Party platform, meant nothing to a wide cross-section of the Dominican electorate.
Those who believe election rigging was just a simple exercise of voters attempting to vote more than once or some dead person appearing at a polling station where everyone knew that they were dead, for which reason the indelible ink was introduced in 1985, have a rude awakening. The Dominica Labour Party has taken election rigging to a new level to the extent that even the late Robert Mugabe, who thought that he had complete authority over Zimbabwe, look like a school child. Apparently, even the OAS, CARICOM and Commonwealth observers were outsmarted by the Dominica Labour Party, to the extent that it may have taken them to witness the chaos at Melville Hall airport for them to understand what had transpired in Dominica’s 2019 general elections.
Team Dominica UWP was blown away in understanding what had struck them. They knew that the DLP was going to steal the elections but in their naivety, they still believed that they could win an election without the cleansing of the voters list and identification cards. The UWP witnessed the plane and ferry loads of imported voters coming in to vote, thought that the imported voters would betray Labour and vote for UWP. Living in the false hope that God will deliver it for them, went to the final count of ballots until it dawned on them that the game was over.
The night before the elections, some UWP candidates were celebrating victory, a clear demonstration of their innocence, lack of understanding of the electoral process; that it is not over until it’s over. This also explains why, after months of protests on a platform of no Elections Without Electoral Reform, that the day before the elections, the UWP abandoned the struggle and decided to go to the polls as if everything was fine and normal – a fatal mistake. More than a year of protests for electoral reform came crumbling down on the day before the general elections, which should be referred to as Holy Thursday.
What went in the minds of the UWP leadership that they could have won the general elections under the status quo is research material for political analysts and historians.
There is no doubt that Roosevelt Skerrit was confronted with his biggest political challenge since he took over the leadership of the DLP in 2004. With a war chest of cash and all the other resources at his disposal, conditions indicated that the opposition was gaining ground, the DLP did not have the required support on the ground and their only chance of winning the elections was to import voters and this they did to a Cuban exile proportion. They imported voters for all constituencies from Scotts Head to Capuchin, even Reginald Austrie received his share of imported votes.
A quick glimpse of the voters who were imported revealed that many of them were the most deprived Dominicans in the diaspora, the most vulnerable, some illiterate and semi-illiterate whose only opportunity to travel was a free ticket to Dominica and back. But they all came on one mission to vote for the shoe and this they did. On one occasion an imported voter forgot the constituency that he was supposed to vote in. Such is the abuse of the electoral system under which a new government is sworn in.
The deployment of the Regional Security System (RSS) by Roosevelt Skerrit was a last-minute chance that he decided to gamble, apparently, the regional leaders were duped to believe that there was civil unrest in the country and fell victim to the ploy.
The final days leading to the general elections, the Dominica Labour Party pulled out every trick in the bag including regular addresses to the Nation on state radio, while the UWP continued to play Facebook and Q 95 Radio politics.
The December 6th 2019 general elections can be considered Dominica as a JACKET, where a man looks at his wife horning him with another man. He makes noise, but he cannot take legal action because no law has been broken and the immorality of the situation is not sufficient to prevent him from getting a jacket if he decides to remain in the relationship.
Dominica is now a Jacket, with a government that ascends to power with a high level of immoral acts, the selling of passports, bribery and cheating, importing voters yet according to the top echelon of the society, there was nothing illegal about it so the people get another DLP government for another five years.
As UWP continues to lick its wounds for another five years, there is need for a united opposition to continue the fight for electoral reform, sadly the December 6th elections has set it back five steps.
I would like to raise this point. we are getting ready for the third decade of the 21rst century. Most of the things we now do, we did not do 20 years ago. The world has changed technologically, and is continuing to change. Since there is some consensus that a mandate was given by the people through the overwhelming affirmation of the vote, and that the majority has spoken, would it be asking too much that our beautiful country be allowed to join the rest of the world, and implement new technologies and updated systems to allow our diaspora to save themselves some money and do their voting via overseas ballots without having to travel to Dominica? Most other countries already do this. Would it be asking too much to have electoral laws that reflect the times we live in and not the times of the past? After all, you must show ID to go and get your own money from a bank, why can’t we be required to show our IDs proudly when we vote?
Democracy in Dominica has gone badly awry. Dominica has now become the biggest rogue country in the Western Hemisphere. The country is tittering on complete economic and social collapse.
On top of that one from St. Joe, about 20 long years we doh see each other had the guts to greet me cuz we kw us, saying Danzi, so is always the other side you voting. I SAID yes, 20 years I’m A LABOURITE and I will stay on my position. Remember I told you all we will send Dr. KING UP . PM NOUS, SONJAY nous labourites la CON LALA NOUS PA KA LAJAY OU ET DLP.
Another UWP supporter writing garbage. Tried reading this but my brain would have non of it. The writer should go back to school to learn the meaning of Democracy.
Forget about migration.Look at the number of people who VOTED,VOTED VOTED in 2014,and the number who VOTED in 2019.
DNO, my conclusion is: You Like Division…Publishing an article from an individual who obviously has an axe to grind, is just flaming the fire…There was NO Evidence provided, I repeat NO EVIDENCE…just like UWP, I suspect will have its case thrown out, because of the lack of EVIDENCE. Until we can see evidence, we know its the sour grapes these morons are having to eat.
ADMIN: If you choose to separate yourself from those you disagree with that is your choice. Peaceful dissent is a necessary part of any healthy democracy.
Linton and his supporters can’t accept defeat
Aurora, it is all about discipline, decency, respect for our Dominica, our people, especially where our government and governance is concerned.
It is the same as a parent, Mother or father, respect and appreciate the child, especially those who are very young that parents must conduct themselves decency with no corruption, thievery, Bobol, that they grow up decent, with high level of decency, respect for all, to understand the environment that they live in from day to day. If parents of children fail to conduct themselves properly and decently at homes, children will pick it up, take to the school, park etc and behave badly and poorly without respect for others, meaning poor behaviour at home. It is just this way that Skerrit has conducted himself and behaves poorly, unprofessionally in government. Therefore children, adults under the roof of a government where the leader of the house (PM) behaves, poorly then we all suffer. The house must be respected. Our government accountable.
Linton and his supporters can accept defeat …..but they and no one in Domininca must accept thievery, corruption, a failed and highly corrupted LABOUR Governemnt under this failed Prime (Odd) Minister who has brought in poverty and has neglected our agricultural industry. Therefore this means that our farmers are now suffering and Skerrit is opening this blatant corrupted Red Cininc and hands out states money to people rather than create employment and opportunities for our unemployment to be engaged and contributing to our nations economy that failed Skerrit and fake Labour Government has created and continues to fail as a fake Labour government with this highly immature Skerrit who is visionless and know not what socio-economic development is all about. A nurse must be able to administer injection to the benefit of the patients. However, within Skerrits clan are people who condones his failure as our Dominica continues to reduce in deeper poverty through Skerrit and failed Labour.
All of the Doctor Finns, the commentaries, the letter writers, the Bwabandayes, this “Reform supporter” whatever that means, and all the rest, with that UWP theme, I have a high perception that they all come from the pen of the “same individual” who is hiding somewhere in the US of A; I even think that I know the State.
That individual simple gave up themself with the Bwabandaye identity, against me. From since I pointed it out, the attack has ceased
That individual cannot set foot in Dominica, not even if Lennox should become the Prime Minister–but God forbid this! Worse again to even use (his her, not identifying the gender) real name on DNO.
Sad day in Dominica! What can be sadder than the heart of a fugitive, that individual has even stopped using their “real name” on facebook, because of the resentment from facebook Dominicans. Sad day you say! And you have been going through sad days, weeks, months, and years? Good Lord!
Elizabeth, try hard to elevate yourself, decorum, intellectual and honour from these well observed intellectual sons of the soil. You response message makes no sense. It is just to pen nonsense only for your failed incompetent Skerrit and not in the interested of our Dominica and its people. We will continue to pontificate and elaborate the corruption and failures of this failed inept immature Skerrit and his highly corrupted labour government.
Domininca is not producing anything. NO more bananas, lies , provisions etc are being exported. The only thing that failed Skerrit can think of is our passports given to weird, corrupted, nefarious, dirty people to carry our passport with their dirty names stained in it. Is that what you want for our Dominica, under this failed incompetent immature Skerrit and his stained Bolist9c Labour Governemnt? Tell us, blind Skerritites, where the hell is the development taking place in Dominica. What are we producing and shipping, only Bobolistic tools?
“Elevate yourself”! Whatever you are I am standing way above you.
You are nothing more than a broken record on one of those old-time record player. Who would want to be elevated from the repeated nonsense that you are posting here?
What has it profited you if not more shame and disgrace? Go and consider what is the reason for your miserable 18-3 defeat; if at all you know how to find it
But why is it that is only UWP and it’s supporters are the only ones believe and saying the Dec. 6th 2019 was stolen when the entire region and the International World have said and agreed Dominica Election was Free and Fair and the result was the WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
Its a fact that the :the Dec. 6th 2019 was stolen. Are you blind, or hard of hearing or you are just in denial. You really think that failed , immature Skerrit and his failed corrupted Labour Governemnt is going to move Dominica and its people higher. They are the ones with the money deposited al over the world and some are nice, some are happy goers of this Skerrit fame and click. We know all about it.
My people, Skerrit and goonies are exceptionally rich, with nice money and currencies all over. Even wifey has been made a minister!!!? Can you imagine this? A woman we were told who is politically illiterate and Skerrit the hussy, gives here a ministry? Skerrit can you be that serious and knowledgeable of this act? Our government appears to be a bunch of immature loyalists to their leader and not of any importance to our Dominica and its struggling people and economy. What the hell does Melena have to offer?
Why must our Dominica and our government for 19yrs remain corrupt & poor
ADMIN: Melissa Skerrit has not been made a minister or been given an official cabinet position. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/sixteen-ministers-two-parliamentary-secretaries-in-new-dlp-cabinet/
all I can say is when one has to do an exam they are caught cheating the end result is 0%.
I concur.
Lennox should take out his calculator and do the math.
Really. here we go again UWP will find all sorts of excuses for their failures. When you run a business you have to put the work in. These guys have not put the work hence they continue to rip what they sow. You guys need to look within you really thought you could win this election? Living a dream and reality is different. If you want some advise I suggest you get off the radio and get on the ground in your constituencies to do what is required and who knows you may stand a chance continue down your current path and fail again. My advise is change your leadership employ someone who knows how to lead
Linton and you UWP people continue to insult the people of Dominica by saying that their vote on December 6th was not valid. Yes, I know you guys are embarrassed. But you don’t have to dwell on it. Learn from it!
Hope you have learnt your lessons of campaigning in Dominica and caring about the people in Dominica rather than dealing with a few opportunists in the diaspora. I also hope you have learned your lesson of not trying to destroy Dominica two weeks before an election. I wonder who advises these idiots.
This comment is exceedingly Jaded, I really do not understand what it means or what the author is trying to say.
The issue is Not Hon. Linton, nor his Decent UWP Team and followers. The problem aching our Dominica rests at the top of the Financial Centre where this failed incompetent Skerrit and his failed minister are. Go at them and have them answer questions of the Red Clinic Bobol, Bin Bobol, the Fertilizer Bool and to account for our states funds. we need audit ASAP.
Go after Skerrit, not Hon Linton ad his highly professional UWP Team.
Too much Bobol surrounds and surface around Skerrit`s failed Labour Government and as leader, he must stand up to it and give an account rather than shouting nonsense talk all over the place. the more he opens his mouth the deeper he goes into the abyss of corruption and bad governance. The Labour government under Skerrit is stained. Too many Bobol activities. You don`t believe me, go ask Hon. Linton. He was the one rightly exposed DLP`s…
I like the commentary however I would like to add some important notes that you missed out on hopes that DNO will publish.
1.The Aljazerra report was quite damning on the Opposition UWP as they were campaigning against corruption and diplomatic passports.
2. The blocking of the public roads as a way and means . We Dominicans DO NOT like it as not even the sick can get to the hospital.
3. You don’t mess with church ministers. You called for whatever for Pastor Peter R. now you know …LL can never be PM and as for the Bishop and Cardinal heckling was icing on your cake.
So now with your loss you can eat that cake.
Well written article by the REFORM SUPPORTER it deserves a prize in the FICTION category.
I`m lost to the what google has said. I am hoping that their is a message in it that I have not got?
The Al Jazeera commentary was wide open and clear with clarity as to what really took place within our government and situation.
This is therefore a real damn to Skerrit and his failed Labour Government where we know now that passport sales took place massively and the question is, Where is our money, where has it gone.? Unfortunately there is no development taking place in Dominica. Our people are suffering and struggling under this failed fake Labour government under this immature fake Prime “Odd” Minister. Skerrit has or has not shown any sign that he is capable to comprehend and understand the thoughts of “Socio-economic Development”.
We are in deep disaster under this government and Skerrit s responsible for this disaster. We need decent , committed people with foresight, experienced in government and decency, but not Skerrit. He must go, out of Government that he has…
UWP, your supporters came in mass THEY CAMPAIGN for a whole month. All village in Dominica had UWP OVER SEA supporters and you say Labour import Ten Thousand voters, MADNESS. I SAW them in St. Joe, including the singer, “MWEN CHEBAY ON SOUCOUYANT” sister. She CAMPAIGN with her group all round and now you coming and blash ppl with PACSHE COCO TALK, IF YOU MAN STATE YR NAME. The MASSISI said BATTE CORE ZOR TOUJOUR CE PERD ZOR PERD BAT LI BATTE LI.
Yes Danziger, call no name get no blame. The upper Morne SHAMOO the WHALE also had her sorry lieutenant form STX travel by boat 🚣 to join her in STT and left a week before election fully armed. Again Dr. Skerrit Dr. Vince and Dr. Queen (King) outsmarted them. That’s to show you the intellectual capabilities of the DLP. Tell Pashie Coco and Too lue lue get a life.
“UWP, your supporters came in mass?”
Danziger, did the UWP people wo came that their fares, pocket money etc was paid for by the UWP?
Anyone who resides overseas and are Dominicans are able freely to come to Dominica to vote. Where we struggle and see the corruption and deceitfulness is within this highly corrupted Labour government managed by its failed incompetent Odd Leaders. Shame on Skerrit, Shame of this failed Labour
Government and Shame on those blind Labour Skerrit followers who are blind to the effects that our nature Isle go through.
We have in government a highly failed Prime Odd Minister who has not elevated our people and country to a level of the next step where we produce alot. Today it is our passports being sold to funny nefarious people all over the Globe and pay hefty money of Skerrit and we need to hear in parliament, how much has been received, from whom and where is the money and who is being paid? I want to know everybody want to know. Who has our…
Well written article. Just really sad that the people of Dominica are the ones that will ‘sousay sel’ while Skerrit and his cronies will ‘sousay siwo’, at least for now.
Thanks again, but that’s your opinion. Sour grapes 🍇. That’s a hell of a long time to remain bitter. With the bullying and disrespect by the UWP, you got the audacity to talk, most of us are civilized and intelligent. I would never never elect a person less educated than I am to a leadership position. What am I saying to my children and grandchildren, if you make enough noise or incite violence you can be the best person to a leader! No I would like my PM to be a role model that my children could emulate. Now that you have expressed yourself, now as the opposition party, give us one or two of your accomplishments? You seat daily in front of a camera and criticize, but how have you elevate the suffering of your people. You take monthly overseas trips and fund raisers, then you should be able to account for the donations. If you’re interested jump high or low, Skeritt outsmarted you!
Your propaganda is amusing as well as late…ships sailed..horse bolted, barn door open. Every single observer mission declared the will of the people expressed. I think you will find your fiction ha already been given short shrift..NEXT..
Hope you all Christmas will be wonderful no body in Dominica should say they broks and the red clinic should be no more that’s my Christmas wish.
Mine, the best party didnt win because if DLP was the best party after 19 years we would have some form of job creating sector, some form of entertainment and at least one international project like an airport, seaport, marina or something. Dominica is last in infrastructure in the Caribbean and last in job creation. Stop being a hypocrite and put country first. Our unemployment rate is 52% percent while St kitts is 4.5%. The DLP rigged and blatantly stole the election by importing thousands of foreigners who were out of Dominica for over 10 to 15 years. No matter how long it takes, dictators and abusers always reach their ends shamefully. This corrupt and dishonest Labor party will reach their end sooner than later. No man is greater than God.
You could have at least responded to the commentary with a measure of sanity. 52% unemployment does not exist anywhere in real time. The election was not rigged; if you truly think so, explain why you are using the same old lame excuses as in past elections?
Dno if you only want comments based on your own personal perspective then why have a comment box? It seems so to me since whenever I post a comment it gets deleted all the time. Are you so petty dno?
ADMIN: We have no outstanding comments for you. You can always resubmit your comment or if you need further assistance you can email us at [email protected]
WOW!!! This article is pure hogwash and propaganda. Sheet in wolves clothing is calling the kettle black. Imagine “chartered dozens of aircraft to import voters to vote for the Dominica Labour Party”. It takes one to know one. How many voters did UWP imported or bribed?
What a childish report. Its over, deal with it or complain like a spoilt child for the next five years. Why not put the energy into positive strategy for self improvement till the next election?
Well written Commentary and I concur.
Well written fiction of a coward who will not pen his name.
Asking one question.Why is it that in 2014 UWP got 17,587 votes,and in 2019,they got 16,464 votes?A difference of 1,143.Labour in 2014 23,421 and in 2019 23,541 a difference of 120.Explain the 8,000 IMPORTED VOTERS.
Le Clown, you forgot a large number of people left Dominica after Erica and esp Maria?! Plus lots of dead/ineligible people on the voters’ lists?
One must take into consideration the number of people who migrated after Maria.
I concur.
Lennox should take out his calculator and do the math.
An article without a name is not important .The UWP hand plenty plenty overseas voter included Marigot, calling people illiterate is insulting. Election is over the best party won accept you loss and give peace a chance.
@Mine: Not only is it without a real name, but look at the identity” “Reform supporter”
As soon as I saw that I simply threw it out, because I new what to expect. Sad day for democracy “my foot”!