Church, business, civil society leaders lobby for electoral reform

The committee presents its report at DPSU building on Monday. Rodney is at the microphone

A committee has been set up by a group of church, business and civil society leaders who are lobbying for electoral reform before the upcoming general election.

The group leaders have been meeting regularly since Wednesday 31st January 2019, in an effort to dissolve the road blocks in route to electoral reform.

The committee met at the Public Service Union (DPSU) building on Monday morning to deliver their interim report to key stakeholders, the media and other constituent members.

“When there is an issue of civil unrest/unlawful activities, the business community suffers. Looting and vandalism of 7th February 2017 and after Hurricane Maria, are vivid reminders, to the extent that some businesses did not survive as a result of unlawful activities,” President of the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches (DAEC), Pastor Randy Rodney said. “We are observing the emotions expressed in the public. If something is not done to reasonably satisfy the electoral reform process, there is a chance that something will erupt.”

According to him, any eruption of unlawful activities and any consequential impact on the business environment will resonate throughout the society, impacting employees, families, churches and the already stressed legal machinery.

“To put it simple, what we want to achieve is that the public will perceive that whoever wins the next general election has done so fairly and the people will go back to working and building the country,” Rodney stated. “We want to avoid the perception that the elections were not fair, which may lead to unrest whereby persons with criminal intent may take advantage of the situation to the detriment of the business community and the country.”

He said the group recognizes that one way to obtain the perception that the election held was fair is to have a sanitized listed of eligible electors, “that is to say, the people on the electors’ lists are generally entitled to be there and that the electors can be properly identified at the polls.” 

Hence, the group’s primary goals, within the provisions of the Constitution, enacted legislation and regulations are, according to Rodney, “to realize a sanitized list of eligible voters, and to have eligible elector identified with a valid ID.”

He explained that the group has decided to delay any engagements or meetings with the general public until after the electoral reform efforts are either well on the way to bear fruit or are deemed frustrated by one or more stakeholders.

“We recognize the need to engage in an education process with the general public, to guide and remind the citizens on the elector’s role, the responsibility in electoral reform and the citizens’ shared responsibility in maintaining a good environment to live, work and do business,” the clergy man declared.

Rodney revealed that early in the encounters, on the 26th of February 2019, some recommendations were submitted to the Electoral Commission. After meetings with all the key Stakeholders, the group has compiled an interim report which was dispatched to all stakeholders.

Furthermore, he said the group requested another meeting with the Electoral Commission at which they plan to discuss the interim report.

“We will be tabling the report at a meeting with our various constituents tomorrow Tuesday 9th April 2019 at 4:30 pm at the conference room of the Dominica Public Service Union Building on valley road,” he revealed. “The report will be discussed then.”

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22 Comments

  1. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    April 10, 2019

    Lobbying is nothing more then trying to influence someone into doing something.

     Whereas we are into a dictatorship in Dominica; I doubt any amount of futile lobbying is going to move Roosevelt Skerrit to action. 

    The only thing that might mover that corrupted boy Roosevelt to bow in subjection to the will, and wish of the people is for the people of the country who are the real power of the country; go out into the streets and demonstrate their disapproval of this corrupted man Roosevelt Skerrit and his cabal, which is not actually a government!

     Nothing less than a general strike at this time will move the corrupted culprit to do what the people wish!

    When we talk, we must also act: A general strike will shut down the island; civil disobedience works; it worked for factions of the labor party to which Roosevelt Skerrit belongs when they use the method to overthrow Patrick John labor party government. 

    Roosevelt appointed president Charles Savarin instigated the 1979…

  2. Surprised
    April 10, 2019

    How comes Dominica Nurses Association not in that group?

  3. April 9, 2019

    If the UWP believe that they are in to be the next Governing body of Dominica, why don’t they simply wait for their king to sit on his Throne, then they can remove everything that they don’t like; and stop with all of that noise

    But boy O boy! I am afraid, for Dominica and her people wee!

    I wish that this Randy preacher-man would start provoking spiritual wisdom and understanding in the minds of his followers, that is the only way they can achieve knowledge of God and His Christ Jesus–the knowledge that is evidence of Eternal Life in a person.

    That is the work of a man of God, not and involvement in a particular side of politics. The Primary Controller, the King of all kings is very unhappy with that situation. And He will allow no “flesh” to glory in His presence

    Election reform will happen by His Will! NOT BY THE WILL OF MAN. Amen!

    • RandyX
      April 10, 2019

      You are on one hand a religious fantasist and on the other hand a supporter of liars and thief. Are you delusional?

  4. Ibo France
    April 9, 2019

    The Sherrit-led government will go down, in the annals of history, as the most corrupt, divisive, inept and opaque administration in Dominica. Imagine this, EVERYTHING that is recommended to strengthen and improve our democracy, Skerrit, his ministers and counsels adamantly oppose. The fact is that these changes give no advantage to any political party and severely reduce corruption in government. Here they are: fair and sensible electoral reforms, freedom of information act, transparency and accountability, public service reforms, etcetera. Only a regime bent on thievery and political mischief will object to these much needed changes.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      April 9, 2019

      Ibo Malaprop France, please be take hid; Jealousy is a terrible sickness!
      Get well soon!

  5. KID ON THE BLOCK
    April 9, 2019

    Just another arm of the UWP in disguise headed by a man who says he is a man of God. Yes a man of God he says he is but inciting VIOLENCE in the country.

    • April 9, 2019

      There is nothing that says as a pastor or Christian you have to be peaceful all the time .This is the mistake we have made.
      The good book says
      The Kingdom of God suffer violence and the violent take it by force

      • April 9, 2019

        Indirah Ghandi There are many good books in the world, which one are you referring to?

        But if you are speaking about the Bible, notice that you said “the kingdom of God suffered violence” not the Kingdom of God incited violence.

        You guys should be more careful when you are referring to the Bible. How can you say that the Bible never taught to be at peace all the time, when the primary gift of God’s Holy is peace?

        What do you do? Drop the peace to go into a fighting, and then to take it back again? Lol!

      • Karl Orndem
        April 12, 2019

        ElizabethLinaXavier i wonder which bible you are reading. Because the one i have read does incite violence at times. For example, Jesus himself picked up a whip and beat people and turned over tables in the temple. In addition, the Old Testament is laden with incited violence on behalf of and by God’s “chosen”

    • Karl Orndem
      April 9, 2019

      what violence has he incited? To my knowledge he has incited due diligence with the electoral committee which has failed to bring about reform. I see or hear no violence from this group. The people want certain standards in the country. It cannot be the goose alone swimming in milk and honey. There are serious matters that need to be addressed on a national level. No long can we continue to operate the way we have for the last 10, 15, 20 years. no longer should we let others do what they want with the country and its processes and deteriorate our integrity and standard of doing things here. we want accountability. That has nothing to do with violence, unless thats the only way you are able to think, then that is on you Kid, as clearly you are showing some biased. Just remember, because i oppose you and your government, DOES NOT MEAN i support Lennox and UWP.

  6. Jonathan Y St Jean
    April 9, 2019

    Lin Clown, your comment sounds very shortsighted and angry to me. You see electoral reform and electoral matters are national concerns and all need to participate for the sake of the country. When Skerritt said there was too much politics in Dominica I’m sure he was referring to people like you.

  7. LATITUDE
    April 8, 2019

    woo, booo randy is always waving a blue flag even on his so called religious radio show, he is only seeing blue and hearing q , what he has to say and an empty barrel is the same thing.

    • Neville
      April 9, 2019

      I rather listen to him than listen to Skerrit, Austrie or Douglas.

  8. Massacre
    April 8, 2019

    Its about time the silent majority come out in the open to show their disagreement while the wana be dictator is still around . Let him see that the tides are changing against him.

  9. Lin clown
    April 8, 2019

    As long as people like ,Randy Rodney,Rosie Felix,Thomas Letang and Loftus Durand are involved in something, the Government should not part.These people are UWP puppets

    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      April 9, 2019

      Lin Clown, your comment sounds very shortsighted and angry to me. You see electoral reform and electoral matters are national concerns and all need to participate for the sake of the country. When Skerritt said there was too much politics in Dominica I’m sure he was referring to people like you.

    • Ibo France
      April 9, 2019

      Lin Clown, your comments are very instructive as to the mentality of a typical DLP supporter. When we have a diversity of opinions, it is good for any organization or democracy. It means there will be rigorous and vigorous debates. When everybody thinks alike not much thinking is taking place. Stop the false accusations and the deliberate attempt to sully the names of these courageous nationals. Not because I oppose your misguided policies makes me your enemy. Lastly, when a political party takes up residence in government, it is imperative that they govern for all the people and not its party supporters only. The Sherrit-led regime has a misconception about government. They govern for their supporters only and see supporters of the opposition, who are born and bred Dominicans, as their lifelong enemies. With half of the country being favored by the government and the other half being ostracized, no wonder the country is so underdeveloped.

  10. Ibo France
    April 8, 2019

    Even though late, it is heartening to see the genuine involvement of civil society in the quest for a worthwhile cause, electoral reforms. We must not always depend on the political opposition to initiate action when the issues are of national importance. The business sector, the clergy and the media are powerful entities in any society. They should use their power of influence, when necessary, for the good of all. I find, ever so often, we lean on politicians (opposition) to lead the way when there are clear breaches of trust and instances of political shenanigans by the ruling elites. I want to encourage these the three influential groups to become more involved, when appropriate, in our quest for good governance. Just be apolitical and unbiased. Nineteen years of bad governance has Dominica teetering on the edge of economic disaster. All right thinking people agitate for a ‘C’ change in politics in Dominica.

  11. ArAb
    April 8, 2019

    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Not with this PM

  12. %
    April 8, 2019

    But other Caribbean, Commonwealth and democratic countries with larger populations have given their people electoral reform without all this confusion .What is it that Skerrit is fearful of???Is it that he is not above board?Is it that he has many passports?? Is it that he knows his wrongs more than us? Is it that he does not know his date of birth?
    We need Voters ID card, cleaning of the electors list, campaign finance reform.Its not begging, it’s demanding!!
    2005 Election Stolen, 2009 Election Stolen, 2014 Election Stolen.
    Not this time!!!
    Your CV tells me you got grade”A” for embarrassment at school!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  13. Marlene
    April 8, 2019

    Are Dominicans finally waking up and get together to stand up against Skerrit & Co.? I hope so, I sincerely hope so! They left it pretty late though, it’s already 5 to 12.

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