The United Workers’ Party (UWP) has expressed serious concerns regarding the electoral reform legislation introduced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to Parliament on December 16, 2024. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the party outlined several shortcomings in the proposed bills, specifically the Electoral Commission Act, the revised House of Assemblies Elections Act, and the revised Registration of Electors Act, calling for immediate amendments to ensure fair, free, and credible elections in Dominica.
The UWP argues that while the proposed reforms aim to address long-standing issues within the electoral process, they fall short of meeting public expectations for genuine change. The party’s position is grounded in past assessments, including a 2014 report from the Commonwealth Observer Mission, which deemed the electoral process in Dominica “free, but not necessarily fair,” citing incumbency and a lack of impartiality in public service provision. Furthermore, the UWP says, the Caribbean Court of Justice highlighted concerns over the integrity of the electoral process following the controversial 2019 elections.
Key areas of concern raised by the UWP include the integrity of the voter registration system, which currently shows a register with more individuals than the actual resident population of Dominica. The party is advocating for a complete re-registration of voters to ensure an accurate and legitimate electoral roll. Additionally, the proposed legislation allows citizens living abroad—who are not ordinarily residents in Dominica—to vote and influence outcomes in constituencies where they do not reside. The UWP considers this practice problematic and calls for reforms to rectify these issues.
The party also cites the lack of robust voter identification measures, inadequate campaign finance regulations, and insufficient provisions against election offenses such as bribery and the abuse of incumbency. Notably, the UWP emphasizes the importance of enforcing equal media access during campaigns and ensuring the independence and expertise of the electoral commission.
Despite their urgent request for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss these critical issues, the UWP has received a response indicating that the Prime Minister’s busy travel schedule would prevent a face-to-face meeting. The party expressed disappointment, stressing that electoral reform is an important matter that could determine the future of the nation.
“The Prime Minister must prioritize these reforms, which have already been successfully implemented in neighboring countries like St. Lucia and Grenada,” UWP leader Thomson Fontaine stated. “The time for genuine electoral reform is now, and we urge the Prime Minister to take immediate action.”
The chickens of electoral reform are coming home to roost and all man fraid. Ministers fraid, men in the electoral office fraid, passport peddlers fraid, lawyers and Judges fraid, police commitioner et al fraid and met fraidy himself fraid…
I agree completely: our values should be integrated into the electoral process. Would disenfranchisement of some Dominican citizens be a Dominican value?
So what exactly does the Saint Lucia and Grenada legislation provide for? Please make the point clearly.. Provide examples (in the OECS/CARICOM) of the sort of things that are in force to serve as “best practice”…and what obtains in other Commonwealth jurisdictions? Dominica’s reform should come along the best practices in the OECS, CARICOM and the Commonwealth.. The arguments need to be more persuasive…Dominica should not go on a frolic of its own with opposition and govt pulling in different directions on reform.. Ultimately, harmonized OECS legislation based on agreed best practice should be the goal…not on individual member states’ parties narrow political interests in governing.
Your very last statement I embrace 100%. There should be uniformity when it comes to the electoral process in all member countries of the OECS. Full-STOP!!!!!!!
It’s clear! Roosevelt’s freedom is in serious jeopardy if fair electoral reforms leading to a level playing field in the electoral system happen.
For the umpteenth time, the people in a massive show of support are the only ones who have the power and influence to bring about the desirable reforms the country needs.
If the combination of the opposition political parties, the private sector, the clergy, and rest of civil society cannot get together in sufficient numbers to influence the desired outcome the country yearns for, the nation sink to the abyss.
Our electoral system is about our values. Our present corrupt electoral system shows that we have lost our values along the way. Our values should be constantly nurtured within our homes, schools and society and integrated into the electoral process itself.