On March 19, 2025, the Parliament of Dominica successfully passed three significant bills aimed at modernizing the electoral process within the Commonwealth, including the Registration of Electors Bill, 2024, the House of Assembly Elections Bill, 2024, and the Electoral Commission Bill, 2024.
In a press statement released after the Bills’ passage, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) expressed their congratulations to the government for spearheading this process. saying, “We note with pride that the bills were all unanimously approved by the Parliament!”
The DLP highlighted that the journey toward these modifications has been extensive and complex, having begun over a decade ago. This process included numerous consultations across Dominica as well as engagement with various regional and international organizations, such as the Commonwealth and the Organization of American States. The statement pointed out the role of “the former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Denise Byron, who was engaged in the process and drafted the laws.”
While the reforms have been generally supported, the DLP acknowledged that some citizens protested outside Parliament. However, it was emphasized that “ALL the members, both on the government side and the opposition, voted in favor of the bills!” The DLP further remarked that even those opposition members who participated in protests later recognized that the new legislation represents “major improvements on what previously existed.”
The press statement also indicated that although compromises were made during discussions, the Labour Party maintained a strong perspective on certain issues. For instance, the party believed that “a national ID card would have more value than just a voter ID card,” while also suggesting that the electoral office should extend its confirmation process to major cities overseas where many Dominicans reside via representative. However, according to the DLP, it agreed to conduct all confirmations within the island.
Moreover, the DLP took the opportunity to commend the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force for their management of the demonstration outside Parliament, noting their “valiant” efforts to safeguard the legislative body while facing aggressive protests. The party stated that demonstrators attempted various measures to breach the barricades and that police had to respond to violence with tear gas after issuing warnings for protestors to dispersed–move that has since been highly scrutinized and hotly debated in the public sphere.
In concluding the statement, the Dominica Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic advancement and national development. “There is a role for all Dominicans to play in this regard,” the DLP asserted, emphasizing that “inciting violence and breaking the law should not be encouraged or tolerated.” The statement encapsulated the party’s vision by stating, “Dominica is better than that! In Labour, our politics is about PEOPLE! People first; people always!”
Further, it encouraged citizens, particularly Labour Party supporters, to engage fully in the upcoming voter confirmation processes.
See full statement:
On point! Great work, comrades. Stay focused and keep working to keep Dominica safe and progressive.
only country in the world with the voters list nearly as big as the population.
wicked government
all all u missing are some tail….like my father jacka..has…you are not as popular as b4…take that and put in in your pipe….
Huh? With 19 seats out of 21 in Parliament and no sight of any viable opposition? Sure you had your meds this morning?
All smiles for now. Delbert Paris and Lennox Linton should be in the photo-op smiling too. One voted for the bill, the latter gave strong moral support.
The violent, undisciplined, rabid, barbarous armed hooligans managed to dismantle the protests. This is not the end of the battle for free and fair elections. To be continued…….
A rogue government needs a rogue police force to survive, but eventually the people always triumph.
Looking at my Crystal Ball, i suspect next, you’ll go to parliament to bann the opposition from having any meetings, protests, demonstrations, etc, or else you’ll unleash your rogues. The people need to get ready.
What a world we live in. These people are breaking their arms patting themselves on their backs and hailing self-congratulations to a process that they know is unfair, and unjust. None of them seem to care what their real constituents think, or that some of them were not even chosen by the people at all but were appointed by a wannabe megalomaniac. Throughout history it has always been a shame to see what power and greed does to humans, and a pleasure to see when they meet their end. The true ruler of Earth is always watching!
If we are living in a Dominica where you, Skerrit, can take anything you want to parliament, and use your majority in the house plus a rogue, broken, untrained and unprofessional police force to subjugate dissent, then we are living in a very dangerous Dominica. The people will have the last say though, because power evsntually resides with the people, and not the goons protecting you.
I read this somewhere.
‘The wheels of justice turns slow, but it turns all the same’. Time Will Tell.
I am disappointed in DLP for bowing to a handful of failed corrupt wannabe politicians.UWP is a failed political party with no representation in parliament,and therefore they do not represent the people.ERC headed by Johnson Boston a failed DFP general secretary(for 42 years)does not represent the people.
@Lin Clown BOO-KOO-LOO
You are an empty vessel. I respond to you, but honestly i dont read your comment like many others do.
There is nothing to be learnt from you.