DFP leader disappointed in panel discussion organized by Electoral Commission

Kent Vital is the political leader of the DFP

Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Kent Vital is expressing disappointment with the manner in which the recently held panel discussion on Electoral Reform was organized.

The panel discussion was organized by the Electoral Commission, working in conjunction with the University of the West Indies Open Campus Dominica and the Dominica State College, on the theme “The Electoral Process : The Way Forward”.

One of the primary objectives of the panel discussion was to advance the Electoral Commission’s mandate to inform and educate the general public on electoral matters.s to allow for maximum reach of the information presented at the event.

“I do not think it really served a useful purpose because it wasn’t broad enough and it was not an honest attempt,” Vital told Dominica News Online (DNO) during an interview on Friday. “It was maybe an attempt to once again to try to maybe catch the opposition by surprise.”

He continued, “It turned out that the panel was just one where sitting parliamentarians spoke. So, to my mind, [it] did not involve all the views of our stakeholders; it did not involve the views of the community, of the unions, of other political parties like the Dominica Freedom Party.”

Vital stated that it would have been better to have a fuller range of representation than the limited set of stakeholders that were allowed to participate.

 “If the government wants a truly genuine discussion, then let’s hear from the stakeholders,” he noted.

Vital called for respect for the existing law.

“Or if you want to suggest changes, then make the suggestions,” he pointed out. “They have not made the suggestions but are arguing things.”

“You are having a panel discussion; you are inviting particular persons but you didn’t clearly say to the public, don’t come,” he argued. “Obviously in a matter like that the public would be highly interested.”

Vital added, “If I am an honest government and I am having a panel discussion and there is space, first of all I would open it to the public…let persons come and let them experience it.”

He said he would make the event open and transparent and not restrict questions.

“I want people to participate,” Vital stated. 

Vital said another area of disappointment for him was the large number of police present during the panel discussion and described as questionable, the number of police officers who appeared in camouflage and machine guns for the meeting.

“There is no justification for bringing machine guns,” he said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

26 Comments

  1. Peace
    May 28, 2019

    Mr. Vital, if you are serious about the Dominica Freedom Party, now is time to devote your energy into rebuilding the party. There are many who no longer believe in the DLP and WILL NEVER support the other one. EVER!! Build up your team. Please do not spend a dime this election … keep it in the piggy bank for it is too late for this elections. You need to start being visible. Write a few op-eds. Be on the radio. Recruit supports and candidates. In the next 5 years we will be a stronger party. We just need dynamic leadership! You can do it, Mr. Vital.

  2. Lin clown
    May 28, 2019

    % Come with all your boots on the ground.Bring Ibo France,Massacre,Gouvelma,Telemacaue,Viewsexpress,Alex Bruno,Athie Martin and the other lazy BlueBugs.Then you will know what boots on the ground look like.Violent UWP.SKERRIT should stop taking BS from UWP.

  3. ??
    May 28, 2019

    How can Vital be disappointed in the presence of police when it was made loud and clear that that individuals should show up to cause a disturbance. The police did a wonderful job in keeping the peace. No one got hurt and the proceeding went on without a hitch. Unfortunately, some people wanted chaos to show how bad the country. The police will continue to do their jobs and keep everyone safe, so who vex loss.

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 27, 2019

    “I do not think it really served a useful purpose because it wasn’t broad enough and it was not an honest attempt. ”
    I agree with you it was not an honest attempt on the part of the the so called Electoral Reform commission, of whom all the the people involved are puppets controlled like robots by Roosevelt Skerrit.
    In the first place the University of the West Indies is not an local entity, though there is a extramural department of the University of the West Indies in Dominica.
    Involving the University of the West Indies is having the entire Caribbean region involve in the internal affairs of the country, since the main campuses of the UWI are located in Mona in Jamaica, Cave Hill Barbados, and St. Augustine  Trinidad.
    With departments such as in Dominica, Antigua, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Grenada.
    The local state college should not be involved in that since such discussions might be a political influence on the students since old man Peter under Roosevelt influence!

  5. Papa Creole
    May 27, 2019

    Garçon move dere with your talk. Where you resurrect from? Eh? Stupes alas poor freedom!”

    • %
      May 27, 2019

      @Papa Creole
      I think your garbage is what DNO should cover .. You have nothing to contribute, you are as empty and buggy like Skerrit!!
      What is needed is “boots on the ground”.The opposition certainly has the numbers to do just that!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  6. Anonymous
    May 27, 2019

    I myself I tired talk, I not commenting on dno anymore. I ready for action.

  7. Ibo France
    May 27, 2019

    The present government is driven by partisan political calculation. On the issue of electoral reforms, it has obstinately refused to yield to common sense. Only by political subterfuge, chicanery and skullduggery can the DLP barely manage to succeed next election. The winds of change are blowing in favor of the Blue Tidal Wave to a historic victory.

  8. Jonathan Y St Jean
    May 27, 2019

    Just the fact that the Freedom party was not officially invited by the Chairman, Mr. Burton, tells you that there was trickery and not a genuine attempt to inform the public. The purpose was to attack the opposition and make it sound like it’s a war between Labour Party and the UWP. Just look at the behavior and demeanor if Francine Baron. Also why Burton on the panel? The commission is supposed to be independent but we saw that Burton is a government operative. This charade will not stand. Then the heavily armed police presence was a disgrace and showed that Skerritt is afraid of the Dominican people. Dominica is a peaceful country still, however, Skerritt is provoking situations so he can lock up opposition leaders and declare a state of emergency and bypass calling the elections on time. Things have never been this bad in Dominica in the past because leaders respected the rule of law and precedent. What do you expect when a man has two undeserved doctorates which don’t mean squat.

  9. Lin clown
    May 27, 2019

    Mr Vital did you know the UWP called the HARDWORKING Civil Servants SHERKERS and JERKERS.Did you know FREEDOM bought Domlec andUWP sold it?They took millions of dollars from Social Security and never paid back.They fired Commissioner Blanchard and his Deputy.Closed down a multi-million dollar hotel in layou.Put a Hospital user fee people could not pay.Fired JEFF SCOTLAND from DBGA.PUT their peppets at DBS.DID you know that Mr.Vital?You are supporting the most CORRUPT PARTY in Dominica.Shame on you.

  10. My Little Take
    May 27, 2019

    As disappointed as Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Kent Vital is, I bet you Skerrit and his gang were even more disappointed with the outcome of the so called panel discussion. How could you have a panel discussion and invited the public but when they showed up they were not allowed to go pass the gate by the police, while they surrounded the place with the state army dressed in their army fatigue and armed with their machine guns as if they were cent to war? Then on top of that they had their 3 lawyers Burton, Francine and Alick Lawrence as panelist though to me, they were their to provoke Mr. Linton to see if he would not take their bate so their 3 lawyers could twist evidence against him. To me the plan was to provoke Linton and use their army to even hurt Linton, if not the worse thing and their 3 lawyers would twist the truth. To me, it looked more like a nation plot to assassinate someone they all afraid of and that’s why they were disappointed the plan failed

    Admin: The other panellist representing the government was Levi Peter, not Alick Lawrence.

  11. Lin clown
    May 27, 2019

    VITAL.In the 60,s and 70’s the Freedom Party could not win an election.PATRICK JOHN was king.Untill he tried to introduce two bills to the house which the masses were not infavour.Vital it was the Labour Party supporters who turned against Patrick John,and,voted the Freedom Party.The majority of Freedomites were Labourites before 1980 UWP was involved in so much CORRUPTION and LIES.MAMO told Freedomites and Labourites they should never vote UWP.VITAL has betrayed MAMO by supporting UWP.MAMO must be turning in her grave.JOHNSON BOSTON,MICHAEL ASTAPHAN,KENT VITAL are all TRAIT. ORS.

    • Peace
      May 28, 2019

      Stop the nonsense! How is Mr. Vital a traitor? As the leader of a political party, Mr. Vital has every right to comment on something as serious as electoral reform. IF Dame Mary Eugenia Charles is rolling in her grave, it is because she can’t believe the level of discord the UWP is creating in the country. Let’s Vital speak!

    • RandyX
      May 30, 2019

      No, they are not traitors! But you, your hardline comrades, Skerrit, Austrie, Ian, Tony and Blackmoore are traitors and they will be dealt with as such. Be under no illusion all you will pay for all your crimes committed against your country!

  12. Neville
    May 27, 2019

    There is absolutely not justification for the police turning up with machine guns. That’s how things are in DA and it’s all Skerrits fault. This man has to go! He’s done enough damage to DA.

  13. Man bites dogs
    May 27, 2019

    Mummy look a Dummy, sorry Kent Vidal, you not ready yet go away and come back in twenty years time. Linton the shut man is bad but you are worse.

  14. Ibo France
    May 27, 2019

    I totally endorse Mr. Vital’s pontification on the farcical discussion that was organized by the electoral commission. Anytime Skerrit’s operatives are involved in events of a national nature, it’s for strictly political expediency. It was hastily organized to coincide with the discussions planned by the Electoral Reform Group that very evening. This incumbent government stifles democracy, silence the people’s voices and use the armed forces to intimidate peaceful agitators. The Skerrit-led DLP government deserves the collective scorn of all honest, law abiding, fair minded Dominican. Dominica needs a brand new government, with a brand new vision and ideas, to hive it s brand new make-over. The economic stress and the social conditions are becoming unbearable. I’m frantically waving the S.O.S. flag.

  15. Ras B
    May 27, 2019

    Are you still around? In this political season nothing is being heard from or about the freedom party. Are you serious?

    The two major parties have presented their candidates, you claimed about a year ago that your party would be represented in every constituency, what happened? Have you changed your mind? Should this raise the issue of credibility?

    The freedom party is not visible, Is there a problem?

    • Ibo France
      May 28, 2019

      Bro, I was just about to publish the precise comments verbatim before reading your commentary. The DFP is not a serious contender at this point in time as it has not presented a full slate of serious at the eleventh hour of the next election. In my honest opinion, the party can only be a spoiler. Mr. Vital, time to be forthright with the public. At this crucial point in time, your chances of seriously contesting the upcoming election is nil. Only the collective efforts of all those who are not in support of the tyrannical reign of Skerrit and the DLP will end his suffocating choke hold on the country and its people.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 28, 2019

      I Think if the DFP have supporters left, the appropriate thing for him to do at this crucial moment is to advise them to give their Support to the UWP.

      And if he has candidate to contest any seat and win; assuming they do not have a majority to form the government, it would be in the interest of the country for him to collude with the UWP and form the government.

      Anything to get rid of Roosevelt Melisa the adulterous queen, and king who are destroying the country!
      If Roosevelt gets one more day in office after the Election, everybody living in the country should vacate to other islands in the Caribbean, and North America.
      Seek asylum in North America, and Europe; leave it to the adulterers to turn off the lights!
      I know the duo are going to run to America with their American born children: …………….

      ………………..

      Hahahahahahahahahahahaahhahah!

  16. Bwa-Bnday
    May 27, 2019

    Thank you Mr. Vital. However I am going to remind you that elections are constitutionally due in about 12 months and can be called anytime Skerrit is confident that the imported Haitians who have been fast tracked to citizenship have filled the list to increase his chances to victory.

    I am assuming that Freedom has ALREADY concluded wining any constituency this time around is IMPOSSIBLE and ready to advise its supports to join Team Dominica is getting rid of Dr.Dr. HiFU. Also, I would also appreciate if you Ken and Linton would publicly tell ALL your followers to work with CCM reference achieving their June 30th ultimatum to Dr. Dr. HiFU as indicated on Patriots Voice Program (Q95) yesterday. No more talk guys, its time for real action….BOOTS ON THE Ground.

  17. Joseph John
    May 27, 2019

    Why he kept saying “the government”. The government did not organize anything. The government was “invited” to send representatives to participate and they did. So if you feel ashamed for not getting invited do not blame the government or for that matter the opposition. They were invited they did not invite anyone.
    You could join the conversation in looking at both sides of the issue and trying to find a peaceful solution. For the first time the opposition leader suggested that the law could be changed, but opened his side of the “debate” by saying that his party will not compromise on anything. He wants all his demands met immediately.
    As for the leader of the DFP, no one know what he or his party stands.
    The UWP has no ideology but they claim that they stand for change. They say “change” with their mouths but they do not “show” it with their attitude. All I get from them are accusations and negative criticisms. They do not demonstrate an attitude for a better D.A.

  18. Braindamage
    May 27, 2019

    Mr. Vital, in time of Mamo when the Workers was in Government, She decided to join forces with the Labor party to remove Edo from power “By all cost”, because to her Edo was forming the fool.

    Well Mr. Vital now is the time to join forces with the UWP to remove Skerro who is “doing and forming the fool now”. Dominica is not his potato field to be have machine gun to be guarding an important discussion that was taking place..

    • Joseph John
      May 27, 2019

      Agreed. The DFP should join forces with the UWP. They deserve each other. Both do not know where they are going and will not know when they will get there, but they know words…..talk talk and more talk always with nothing to offer as demonstrated by their track records.

  19. jackarie
    May 27, 2019

    Mr. Vital we are awaiting the announcement of your 21 candidates. Thank you!

    • Joseph John
      May 27, 2019

      He has one candidate Michal Astaphan the …. solar panel expert. One leader and one candidate, party of two. If you add a weekly radio show you have a party off 3.
      Their slogan is Skerrit must go. Their ideology Skerrit must go, their vision Skerrit must go. (3)

      Well next election the voters will say, “you first.” Bye !

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available