The United Progressive Party (UPP), led by Joshua Francis, is calling on the Electoral Commission to immediately rectify the unlawful suspension of new voter registration. The Chief Election Officer has informed the public that the suspension of new voter registration results from software and hardware development and training of registration officers.
A recent account published in local media describes how a prospective voter was denied the opportunity to register on January 12, 2026, because officials claimed the required software or technology was “not ready” to process first-time registrations. This administrative failure represents not merely an inconvenience, but a serious violation of electoral law.
Clear Legal Violation
Section 17(1) of the Registration of Electors Act, 2025 unambiguously states: “there shall be the continuous registration of people qualified under this Act to be registered as electors.” This is not a suggestion—it is a legal mandate.
By turning away new registrants for any reason, including technological or administrative unpreparedness, the Electoral Commission and the government of Dominica are in direct violation of this statutory requirement. There is no provision in law for the suspension of new voter registration due to software delays or any other administrative inconvenience.
Potential Legal Ramifications
This situation carries serious legal implications that must be addressed:
- Constitutional Violations: The denial of voter registration may constitute an infringement of citizens’ constitutional rights to participate in the democratic process, potentially giving rise to constitutional challenges.
- Breach of Statutory Duty: Officials responsible for voter registration have a statutory obligation under the Registration of Electors Act, 2025 to maintain continuous registration. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of this legal duty.
- Grounds for Electoral Petition: Should elections be called while eligible citizens remain unable to register due to this administrative failure will provide grounds for an electoral petition challenging the validity of such election results.
- Disenfranchisement Claims: Citizens who have been denied their right to register will have grounds for legal action against the state for unlawful disenfranchisement.
- Judicial Review: The actions—or inaction—of the Electoral Commission may be subject to judicial review proceedings to compel compliance with the law.
UPP Leader Joshua Francis stated: “At a time when electoral reform is supposedly at the forefront of Dominica’s national agenda, we find that the most basic requirement—allowing citizens to register to vote—is not being met. This is unacceptable and unlawful. No citizen should be told they must wait to exercise their fundamental democratic right because the government  and Electoral Commission failed to prepare adequate systems.”
The United Progressive Party demands:
- Immediate Resumptionof new voter registration in full compliance with Section 17(1) of the Registration of Electors Act, 2025;
- Public Statementfrom the Electoral Commission explaining on what legal basis new registrants have been turned away and providing a timeline for full restoration of registration services;
- Government Accountabilityfrom the Minister/s responsible for Electoral Affairs regarding this failure of administrative preparedness;
- Assurancethat no eligible Dominican will be prevented from registering to vote due to technological, administrative, or any other delays;
- Independent Reviewof the electoral reform implementation process to identify and rectify any other legal violations or administrative failures.
The UPP calls on all Dominicans who have been affected by this suspension of registration to come forward and make their experiences known. The party also calls on civil society organizations, legal professionals, and international observers to add their voices to improve the success and integrity of the electoral process in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Electoral reform must not only be fair—it must be seen to be fair, and it must be lawful. The current situation meets none of these standards.
The government must act immediately to restore continuous voter registration as the law requires. Anything less is a betrayal of democratic principles and a violation of the legal rights of Dominican citizens.
Correction Mr. Francis. The government is not responsible for registering voters. That is the duty of the Electoral Commission. They are the ones breaking the law and should and must be taken to court.
Government has to provide the finance and that’s it. That Electoral Commission must stop making itself out to be another ministry/department of government.
who PP? Upp or MePp? you or me that PP?
An AR-15 is a hunters rifle and AK+47 is a semi-automatic assault rifle which carries 7.62 caliber ammunition.Skerrit is armed with an AK-47.Mr.Nassief did not turn 18 after the confirmation process started in October 2025.The electoral cannot confirm and register at the same,the law makes provision for confirmation and registration,confirmation takes priority.Registation will CONTINUE when the electoral commission say it will begin,and that is before the next general election.
You are right about the guns, but that is a very poor understanding of the law and the account that Nassief gave especially that last line.
Perhaps stick to your strengths…even you recognize that what is going on right now isnt right.
I just wish you would admit it.
@Labour Power are you saying that voter registration will resume after a year from the start of the confirmation process? Sorry but you definitely need some new medication
I find that the opposition leaders are not assertive enough. Roosevelt go into battle with them using an AR-15 and the opposition with toothpicks. They (opposition) follows the biblical instructions of turning the other cheek when they are slapped.
Can’t help but think this is a seemingly reasonable point made by a disingenuous person.
You have proven yourself an aggressive bully and want to see that reflected in others so you can feel justified. Your behavior strongly suggests you think even more of you or people that act like you are the answer while your behavior is actually part of the problem. This thinking and behavior is shared by many an egotistical sort and its dragging the whole country down.
If Skerrit is a problem then the UPP or UWP claiming they are different then behaving just like him would make them hypocrites.
Turning the other cheek is not about weakness or not fighting for what’s right its about maintaining dignity and principle in the face of wrong doing.
In this statement, Joshua is doing a decent job in that respect.
Do you believe that there should never be wars even when all attempts at negotiating a peaceful settlement have failed?
Wars cost lives and caused the widespread destruction of food crops, buildings (schools, hospitals), infrastructure ( electricity plants, water and communication systems). However, it is sometimes a necessary evil. By what other means could the allies stop Adolf Hitler from conquering the world – by being diplomatic and principled?
People like you are great pretenders. Much too sanctimonious! There comes a time when you have to take the bull by its horns especially when the situation has become dire.
For twenty two years we have had a corrupt tyrant at the helm of government manipulating the electoral system in order to rust in the seat of power. By will or by force he should be out.
Let me give you a little credit and acknowledge that this response resembles improvement for you.
But you to still choose to smear me with your failings. You are the pretentious one blustering about fighting.
I don’t wish to overstate it because in the bigger scheme of things I’m no one special except to God, but I have been trained in violence. As someone who as fought physically and otherwise for what they believed in I have a sense for what is at stake.
Its always the cowards who call for resistance the loudest and for others to fight for them, they are quick to run away when people like me ,who prefer to remain quiet, but who will fight without hesitation if we believe in the cause.
Let me make it clear, kindness is not weakness but blustering and demanding others fight for you is a sign of weakness, its also cowardice.
You don’t have the right to lecture me or anyone about fighting or war. For all his failings even “Labour Power” has that over you.
@ ibo France, hope when the war you are calling for arrives you will be waiting on the front line fully armed with your boots on ready to die. How DNO can allow this violent rhetoric to be posted is quite baffling. The type of government that you are advocating for is similar to the governments of Adolf Hitler and other 20th century dictators such governments stay in power by subjecting the population to extreme violence. From what you say it is clear that the corruption and evil you talk about resides in you. Your hatred for Skeritt has clearly clouded your intelligence and turned you into a babbling fool.
so you telling me you have a problem with DNO publishing EGO’s comment against Skerrit but Labour Power’s comment in support of Skerrit literally referencing guns is no problem. His is not violent but EGO’s is?
I dont like EGO and one of the reasons is he is a hypocrite about this: free speech is for all – especially for opinions you don’t agree with.
Still…his right to free speech is also my right and your right too, its worth defending.
Thought the conduct of voter registration was the business of the Electoral Commission. If the Electoral Commission is failing to perform it should be replaced. If new voters are nor been registered what is the Commission doing?
Point stop being disingenuous. It’s general knowledge that Roosevelt controls all political processes in Dominica. The person who is supposedly in charge of the electoral commission is just a figurehead. Who is to blame for the fiasco and ineptitude happening with the new registration of voters, the blame lies squarely with the Jack of all trades and Master of none.
I reiterate for the umpteenth time. The RLP wins elections by fraudulent means but they cannot govern productively. Proof: Examine the civil service, healthcare, environment, infrastructure, agriculture, the sorry state of the economy
“Point stop being disingenuous. It’s general knowledge that Roosevelt controls all political processes in…. …”@ Ibo France, I deliberately missed that general knowledge class as I was advised well in advance that you were going to be the tutor and I was not deliberately going to expose my brain to garbage.
Poor attempt at comedy. You are trying your best to be a comedian but stick to your day job on NEP. If you were to make the mistake and abandon that NEP job for the stage, no one will attend your shows like Melania’s documentary. You will starve to death or retrieve your breakfast, lunch and supper from a bin.
No law, no constitution can stop me! Roosevelt’s declaration. Like the Donald in the US not adhering to breaching, violating and disregarding every law/rule in the constitution, so does this copycat (Roosevelt).
The only solution to rid Dominica of this Great Satan is the power of the people. is sustained street protests and demonstrations by most Dominicans. The power of the people is greater than the people in power.
Politicians, trade unions, clergy, business sector, NGOs, civil organisations, come on, join together as one unstoppable force, and let’s liberate ourselves from this stifling captivity once and for all.