CCM president says PM’s statement on injunction “misleading”

A CCM-organized protest

President of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Loftus Durand, has responded to recent remarks made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as they relate to the delays in the process for the implementation of Electoral Reform in Dominica.

Skerrit said recently, that the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) used the CCM to file an injunction in the courts, preventing the government from seeking parliamentary approval for the amendments.

However, during an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), Durand described the prime minister’s statement as “very misleading” to the Dominican people.

“There is nothing in the legislation that has been stopped because of the injunction that would affect the work of the commission,” he said. “The Commission still has its way to go ahead and cleanse the list, “to go ahead and institute a card for voting…to go ahead and update the list, so there is no injunction on the Commission stopping it or preventing it from doing the electoral reforms that the people in Dominica have been talking about.”

Durand continued, “As we speak, the Commission still have the power and authority to go ahead and continue to do its work on behalf of the people.”

He explained that the injunction was filed against the enactment of legislation for the use of a National ID Card which is to be implemented by the Electoral Commission.

“Because nowhere in our electoral laws, the commission [has] the authority to produce National ID Cards. On the contrary, it gives the commission a specific mandate to provide for voting and that we are saying should only be a voters ID Card, because a voters ID Card have specific stipulation out there.”

He mentioned for example, one has to be 18 years of age to vote and may obtain a Nationa ID Card before that. He pointed out that one also has to be living in the country.

Secondly, Durand said another matter that is under injunction “is the idea that the government went to our parliament and tried to amend the electoral laws to confer on the commission, to give the commission the necessary powers that they need in order to authorize people to go overseas to register voters.

Durand said according to the law once you are out of state for more than 5 years consecutively that person should not be on the list.

“We are saying that what is in the law should stand and it is on these two situations, that an injunction is at our courts as we speak,” he stated. “So, the Prime Minister, his statement is very misleading to the Dominican people.”

Meantime, the CCM president explained that there is another aspect of the Voter ID cards, the use of the biometrics, that requires legislation “and that for sure we are in agreement that the commission would have to get the necessary legislation from Parliament” to facilitate its work in that regard.

Biometrics is the measurement and statistical analysis of people’s unique physical and behavioral characteristics such as finger print authentication, voice recognition, facial recognition and retinal scanning.

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32 Comments

  1. January 15, 2019

    Grandpapa used to say that “a lair is a thief and a thief is a lair” and he also assured me that ” Stupidity and Ignorance are first cousins” when one listens to the Blind; Deaf; and Dumb on the government controlled radio stations beating their chest and applauding what they refer to as the “landmark elections voting case coming out of Canada you would think it was as a result of the court intervention of Senior Clown-cil and the Double (Dr) PhD; one even suggested that all the G/ovt has to do is go to Parliament and amend the law; if our “recalcitrant” law makers have difficulty with electoral reform why don’t they go to our CARRICOM neighbors who have done so successfully, and seek professional, legal advice; “misleading” is but a kind word to describe the utterances of the Dr.

  2. Manyways
    January 15, 2019

    What is a Voter ID Card and its use
    The making of photo identity cards for all voters of the country in an attempt to improve the accuracy of the electoral rolls and prevent electoral fraud. To take advantage of the latest technological innovations, the Commission must institute the Electors Photo Identity Card Program.. The voter ID card or EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) is an identification card issued by the Election Commission to all eligible voters to enable voter identification on Election Day. All those who are already enrolled in the voter’s list are eligible to receive a voter ID card also known as election card. These election cards carry personal details and a distinct identification number. In future, data of a biometric nature like digital signature and fingerprints.

  3. Coveringmyhousenow
    January 14, 2019

    I am no troll. This cite will help readers understand what Rupert Sorhaindo said,”https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/cb/2019/36645″ Maybe after reading Durand may wish to correct his misleading comment.

  4. Gouvelma
    January 14, 2019

    A drowning man will grasp at a straw. Skerritt and his goons will do any and everything within tuber power and try to use their parliamentary majority to legitimize their actions to remain in power. I hope the new government after elections will give the office of the DPP and the police the resources needed to make are members if the labor party government spend their retirement in jail.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 15, 2019

      Yes those goons, who don’t care of poverty increased, they sit in Roseau etc in their comfortable chairs and nice china cabinet and the corrupt cabinet that has failed us over 18 years they still have the audacity to say, “we love our failed, inept PM”. That clown who has failed Domininca and its people. They have to represent failed inept Skerrit because they are all scared of Hon Linton and his professional UWP Team, waiting to win over the reigns of government where there will be decency and accountability and the likes of Sorhaindo and company has been blind and ignored the high level of corruption (Bin & fertilizer) and obvious Bobol dealing with our states, peoples` had earned tax money. To go with this and condone it, shows absolute blind support to failed and thievery corrupt Labour government. That is what this intelligent man Sorhaindo for the days of SMA who disciplined us to good behaviour, good government, decency in government and today is supporting a failed…

  5. Ti Garcon
    January 14, 2019

    I dont believe small poor countries like ours should be wasting resources on voter ID cards.
    The solution is simple, ask people to bring their own ID cards when they show up to vote. Passport, Social Security card, driver’s license etc. All this unnecessary huff and puffing and in the end elections will get called and nothing would have changed. Why, cuz both sides are ignorant and no one want to come to an understanding.
    Like the UWP with their no reform no elections- watch them contest the next elections like clowns. smfh.

  6. viewsexpressed
    January 14, 2019

    “So, the Prime Minister, his statement is very misleading to the Dominican people.” Typical Skerrit devious move and not standing to the truth, but appears make stories as he goes to fulfill his questionable corrupt labour government. We recall, the bus loads of people ferry in to Domininca wearing their winter coats, voted and departed next day on expensive chartered flights. All kind of devious, out of the law action this corrupt Labour appears to be take in order to have themselves stay in government. Joseph Issac knows better as he came from a disciplined UWP party and a disciplined Leader of the UWP Hon Lennox Linto, So Joseph Issac, now is the time for you to speak up and condemn Skerrit1s hypocrisy. Do think you have the stamina and decency to stand up t Corrupt, now that you are engaged with this rotten corrupt Labour Government and its incompetent and questionable Prime (Odd) Minister.
    Labour has failed us, Skerrit has failed and his 18 ministers have blindly failed us.

  7. Rupert Sorhaindo
    January 14, 2019

    DNO, I am very disappointed though not surprised that you would have printed Mr Durand ‘s (CCM President) uninformed “legal opinion” without attempting to ascertain the truth about the limits of the authority of the Electoral Commission, so as not to add to the confusion being created by Durand and his allies.
    DNO owes it to the reading public to do an independent search for mthe truth on the matters addressed by Durand by reading the revenant legislation, consulting with an independent legal authority, or interviewing the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, to publish his findings! THAT would be responsible journalism!
    And while I’m on issue of electoral reform, I’m waiting for DNO’s publication of the Canadian Supreme Court’s landmark decision re the constitutional rights of citizens resident abroad!

    ADMIN: There is validity in your statement. We always intended to do a follow-up.

    • Just thinking
      January 14, 2019

      Good evening inspector.??

    • AA
      January 14, 2019

      Look at the embarrassment of an individual, someone that young persons use to look up to in the country is now trying to make himself still relevant. Soks the law is clear and you should be advocating for the upholding of law and order in the country rather than condoning the breaking of these laws. what is required is simple:
      – Persons who are away from the state for more than five years contentiously should not be allowed to vote
      – Periodic re registration of the electorate to clear the voters list of dead persons and persons who are not qualified to vote.

      These are simple matters which every right thinking person who is interested in the democracy of the country should advocate for. But you and your bofa clan intends to keep the poor people poor in the country so that you all could feel superior, but your time have passed and the poor people are taking back control.

    • Joseph John
      January 14, 2019

      Again we see opposition forces trying to frame Skerrit as consummate liar. But Mr Durant admits that there are injuctions. So the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr Dr Rosevet Skerrit was not lying or attempting to frame anyone. I am no lawyer but the remmifications of any law is always left to interpretations. So why are the relevant law not quoted ad verbatim by Mr Durand. If there is legal passage why was there a demonstration to the extent that riot police had to be activated and people arrested. So you put people in harms way like sheep LED to the slaughter when there is a legal, peaceful and
      safe avenue……INJUNCTION !
      On this issue opposition forces completely disregard the supreme LAW the of the land the…. CONSTITUTION. What is the reference point of the Constitution in this legal argument(s) ?
      Now the Emigration Department, the police, has been issued with authority to issue passports. Can the Electoral office be authorized to issue National I.D.

    • Joseph John
      January 14, 2019

      National I.D. cards ? There seem to be disagreement between two positions ……National I.D. or Voter Registration card ? So which will it be ?
      The other idea is the residential aspect. Dominicans are required to be living in Dominica at least five years before election to be entitled to vote. To me that is confusing. For example can a Dominican by birth with dual citizenship in accordance with the provision of the constitution he be denied his voting rights, his human rights, his constitutional rights, his God given rights ?
      The answers are blowing in the political wind.
      All I can say as I said before on the issue of the National Airport …..”SKERRIT IS NOT LYING” There are injunction afoot. So go figure.

    • Misrer
      January 15, 2019

      In the interest of fairness please in form readers that Canadian citizens abroad are also obligated to pay taxes and therefore would legitimately have a right to vote in that country.

      • Joseph John
        January 15, 2019

        @ Misrer….Thanks for the information on taxes and the right to vote in Canada. But what is not clear ….can a Dominican living in either Canada or Dominica have the right to vote in both countries. The USA do not care about dual citizenship. If you are a usa citizen you have a right to vote with no residence qualifications.
        An other point of contention in the legality or illegality of paying a person to vote for you, or paying for his/her transportation by air ,sea or land. Are there any law on this ? Are the objections advanced on the basis of principal or of law? Is this practice a bribe ? If illegal what is the relevant legislation ? Can anyone provide some clues. DNO, what does your legal advisers think.

    • RandyX
      January 15, 2019

      …and another one singing for his supper. This is a prime example of what’s wrong in Dominica. Patriotismus has given way to greed and selfishness.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 15, 2019

      “DNO, I am very disappointed though not surprised that you would have printed Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo uninformed response on this matter of “legal opinion”

      These professional guys are very disappointing.

    • %
      January 15, 2019

      Canadian politician don’t pay plane tickets to bribe voters…Our jurisdiction is totally different.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 15, 2019

      There is no way that our people will take Sorhaindo seriously. As an educated school teacher with all the wisdom t teach, has not wisdom at all to examine and talk of decency in poitcs and in g0veremnt. There is no passion or concern showed about the poor people living deep poverty in Gutter Village, Yam Piece, The Carib Territory, Silver Lake and he lives in a nice house with comfort and such silver and sits on his high throne to lecture us to side and be with Skerrit? Sorhaindo, you ust be sick somewhere and we will not condone nor approve or welcome your illiterate views in this year 2019. Go open your eyes, go visit these villages and you tell us before you take garbage, go show us where the development is taking place in Domininca. From top of the Financial Centre where I sit, I cam list them for you as I am on the field daily and hearing the cries and tears of mothers, grandmas crying for help out of poverty, now we hear that ent Skerrit wife want to run in Roseau Central. What…

  8. Ibo France
    January 14, 2019

    I take no pleasure in making this statement. Mr. Skerrit is notorious and legendary for his untrustworthiness. The naivety of Dominicans is his most useful tool. He makes falsehood appear like truth and makes truth appear like falsehood. Truth-telling is completely alien to Doctor². The man is such an awful liar that he even becomes astonished when people believe him.
    The electoral reforms that are sought by the people are to give each political party or individual candidate a fair chance at the polls. It’s about creating a level playing field. No political party will gain an advantage. How can anyone be against that? Only if you are dishonest and corrupt to the bone. Only deplorables can vote for such a boldfaced LIAR and his band of bandits.

    • January 14, 2019

      @ibo france, there is not one trustworthy politician that i know of. this statement is misleading Mr. Durand speaks as if the Commission is a law unto itself and can clense the list by executive authority and you lap it up and go off on another of your hate skeritt tirades. The truth is the electoral commission is governed by law and any changes to its mandate must be authorised by parliament. So the injunction filed by Durand and the UWP is holding up electoal reform. This is not suprising as for the UWP and its supporters it is only their way or no way, no form of compromise, they know it all.

      • Ibo France
        January 14, 2019

        Anon, let me be crystal clear, I don’t hate Skerrit personally, I strongly abhor his authoritarian, corrupt, divisive and dishonest style of politics. The man has no connection with the truth. He is demonically dishonest. Your assertion that the bad Doctor² has no power to make changes to the electoral system is patently inexact. The double doctorate misleader’s fingerprints are on everything political in the country. How you can support and defend such an awfully corrupt character is beyond me. Electoral reforms are a MUST! The machinations, shenanigans and skullduggery surrounding every election must be brought to an abrupt end. Only a double-dealing Double Doctor will stand in the way of fair and sensible electoral reforms.

      • Laughter the best
        January 15, 2019

        Isn’ t A NON the only one????one trustworthy politician that he know’s of? BC he is the only one.

  9. Satan is a LIAR
    January 14, 2019

    I will not respond to this article but instead, I will use this site to warn people about that lying feller in the Bible that Jesus so correctly referred to as the DEVIL or Satan. Infact here is how Jeus describes that lying devil in St. John 8:44
    “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
    So Jesus said that Satan is 1. A murderer from the beginning. In other words Satan began his journey by taking life in the beginning. I guess he took Abel life. 2. He is an enemy of truth 3. There is never truth in anything that devil says 4 . His native language is lies 5 He is the father of lies and no doubt father of all liars. That Satan Jesus spoke about is prolific liar and therefore people must not listen to anything he says!

    • January 14, 2019

      @Satan is a LIAR “So Jesus said that Satan is 1. A murderer from the beginning.—, Satan began his journey by taking life in the beginning. I guess he took Abel life”

      You have some truth in that statement above, but you need clarity if you use “Abel” in your “at the beginning” pertaining to Jesus’ word.

      The beginning was at the Garden of Eden and the Life that Jesus spoke about is of Adam and Eve, who died spiritually, and brought “Abel” into this world and from generations to this day into that same state of death.

      Apparently, you do not know that Jesus said: “It is the Spirit who gives Life. Adam and Eve were alive and well, spiritually, in God’s presence until Satan caused their death through his lie.

      Jesus gave His blood, as a sacrifice to God, the Father, to renew your mortal state which cages your soul, maybe sleeping dead, until you undergo the Spiritual rebirth. “There is no Life in the flesh”, that was from the beginning

      • RandyX
        January 15, 2019

        Nobody really interested on your weekly sermon mixed with a good dose of Skerrit propaganda.

  10. %
    January 14, 2019

    With Skerrit, we have the most deceiptful leader that Dominica has ever seen. One who believes that it is his preserve to rule Dominica forever,despite his incompetence.. He leads only by trickery, lies and deception..Oh this man LIES!!! That’s why the country is the appendage of the other Caribbean countries .
    We need a cleansing of the voters list
    We need ID card specifically for voting
    Let’s not get sidetracked by Skerrit’s lies.He Lies,and LIES,and Lies!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

    • DE TRUMP
      January 14, 2019

      you would not take a day off? talk about your pm but leave my country out of it plaese. we are blessed and we will be ok.

  11. LaPlaine Observer
    January 14, 2019

    NEVER in the history of this country, have a we had the word lies, deception, and misleading associated with the Prime Minister. These descriptive words have been invoked every time the PM utters a word.

  12. Neville
    January 14, 2019

    Mr. Durand, you call it very politely misleading. I would call it a blatant lie!

    • %
      January 14, 2019

      I fully concur.He LIES,and lies,and lies .Oh what a bad example for our youth!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

  13. Eh Be Nou Fini Bat
    January 14, 2019

    Mr,. Durand do you know what you are saying? Did you read anywhere in the legislation the the Commission was going to issued cards? You see in the law the power to register voters overseas?

    I wonder if we are reading from the same book we

    Admin you guys need to look at Mr. Durand’s points and compare them with what is in the Bill.

  14. jamie
    January 14, 2019

    Mr.Durand,Skerrit can only continue to fool his base,and his time has come to go,but a desperate man will do all it takes to remain in power.

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