Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Lennox Linton said the party has sought legal advice about the possibility of filing an injunction to stop the December 6, general elections in Dominica.
Linton was speaking on the ‘Between You and Me’ talk show aired on Q-95 on the weekend.
“First of all I am not going to file any injunction. The lawyers have been asked to look at the possibility of injuncting the elections on specific grounds and the lawyers will indicate whether they think there is reasonable chance of success with that, whether we should proceed with it or whether we should wait to challenge the results of the elections after the elections is held based on certain irregularities that have been observed as of right now,” he said. “The call for the injunction we can only as political parties request the advice and guidance of the lawyers and that process is ongoing.”
He said the people of Dominica have a moral obligation to prevent the nomination from taking place.
Linton argued that an election that is two and a half years before the constitutionally due date, is not the people’s election.
“There is no instability going on in the country at this moment,” Linton argued. “There is no mass resignation of people from your cabinet. Everybody loves you, everybody [adores] you, and so what is the reset you are talking about?”
Furthermore, Linton stated that the people of Dominica need to consider, “they have no responsibility to go along with whatever Skerrit tells them they need to go along with…”
He reiterated the fact that the UWP objects to an election on December 6, because the electoral commission is not ready to deliver the election with a process that it is committed to reform and that process is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Linton revealed that the opposition also plans to write to various institutions including, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organization of American States (OAS), friendly governments, and the Commonwealth to make them aware of what is happening and the potential of unrest that could emerge, “because of the conduct of the Prime Minister and his response to the reaction of people so far, that he is behaving unreasonably and indeed in a very disgraceful manner by trying to use our electoral process as his own personal football for his own private gain.”
“And the message to the people of Dominica is that they should not allow it,” he stressed.
According to Linton, the situation may well be shaping up to be what he describes as a volatile situation in Dominica, which has been created by the surprise announcement against the background of various reports on the country’s tainted electoral system, and in the face of the recent discussion with Sir Dennis whom he appointed as a one-man commission to investigate and make the necessary recommendations.
“I want to let those bodies know that our party will not be contesting the elections and we are in the process of advising others, possibly independent candidates not to obtain nomination and the general public not to participate in the voting process at all,” Linton remarked. “We have voices calling for unity in opposing the election call and the PM’s response makes it very likely that there could be violent public confrontation.”
He called on the good officers of the institutions mentioned earlier to monitor and address the growing possibility of unrest.
“It is important that they are aware of that,” Linton remarked. “They interfere when they feel they have to interfere at the invitation of the Prime Minister.”
He pointed out that, they came to Dominica through the RSS in December of 2019 with their machine guns, “to tell us that something was wrong with what we were doing as opposed to something being wrong with Roosevelt Skerrit that was denying us ID cards that all of them have in their countries, and all of them have procedures in their countries for regularly cleaning the list of electors, keeping it sanitized.”
Following the 2019 general elections, Prime Minister Skerrit promised to initiate the process of electoral reform within the first 100 days of his new administration. He later selected Eminent Caribbean Jurist, Sir Dennis Byron to serve as a sole commissioner to advance efforts towards electoral reform in Dominica.
At the time Skerrit urged the UWP to fully engage in the electoral reform process and implored them to put the “destructive rancour and revolt” behind them, pointing out that all the observers, including their friends, have pronounced the elections of Dominica “free and fair.”
In a letter dated November 6, 2022, Sir Byron – a former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, former Chief Justice of the OECS Supreme Court, and Privy Councilor, revealed that he will be presenting his long-awaited report in two phases.
“Phase I will deal with the Registration of Electors and Phase II with the Election Process. I am in the final stage of the Phase I report,” he said in the letter copied to Mr. Duncan Stowe, Chairman of the Electoral Commission.
The pending report, which Prime Minister Skerrit said he’d promptly take to parliament to pass into law, is expected to be significant, therefore it’s no surprise that many including Linton, who previously wrote to Byron, are inquiring as to when will it be delivered.
In the said letter, Byron acknowledged that his engagement “carries the expectation of bridging the sharp divisions of opinion that have handicapped the completion of this reform exercise.”
Against this background, he declared that legislative support is required to give effect to the recommended reforms.
“He pointed out that, they came to Dominica through the RSS in December of 2019 with their machine guns, “to tell us that something was wrong with what we were doing as opposed to something being wrong with Roosevelt Skerrit that was denying us ID cards that all of them have in their countries, and all of them have procedures in their countries for regularly cleaning the list of electors, keeping it sanitized.”
What a magnificent stroke for six. Not a man moved. Well said Lennox!!! Well said!!!
This top-class comment of Lennox must not be lost.
The same Dominicans Linton talking about is the Dominicans who are keeping him out of the reigns of government.It is the same Dominicans who has never voted his party in the last seven elections.Dominicans a happy to see the back of UWP especially Linton.Remember he said the same BS about taking part in the 2019 election?Money disease caused him to take part.Why did he not resign from the party and as opposition leader?because of money.Deep in his hard he hate UWP for not taking part in the election,dispute the fact he know UWP will lost Winning the Marigot seat is all he is concern about.If the court matter drags on for two years he will get pay for those two years.Skerrit is taking away two years salary in the sum of more than $160,000.They know election reform is not a must,and election in Dominica is conducted according to the election law of Dominica.That is why all matters they took to court were considered to be garbage and dumped in the garbage.Farewell UWP.
Lin Clown, once again you are speaking my thoughts.
I just cannot understand, why those guys are saying “Dominicans, Dominicans”, when Dominicans are the ones keeping them away from becoming leaders of their Nation for election and elections passed, and will still be so for elections to come. How strange!
Injunction, my foot! Lawyers or not, Linton has no power to stop that coming election; for there is One, full of Mighty Power and Authority over him–I know Him very well.
This guy is a hypocrite,when one of the election observers said in 2014 the election was free but not necessarily fair,they were not considered to be Skerrit friend by Linton.In 2019 the same observers said the election was free and fair and reflected the will of the people,all of a sudden all the observers are Skeritt’s friends.Linton problem is the $5,000 plus allowances he is going lose for Christmas.Linton know his party called election 6 months before it was due.He know election reform is not in the law and constitution.He know Skerrit can call election anytime within 5 years.He know his party never thought of introducing electoral reform.And he know his party formed the government between 1995 and 2000 without the blessing of the people.He also know the people has never supported his party.Linton main worry is how he is going to get a salary come December 2022.Left to Linton he would take part in every election,with or without electoral,snap or not.It is all about money and…
Instead of prognosticating a very likely “violent public confrontation” as a result of the Prime Minister’s response,why not instead use your influence to appeal for a peaceful non- violent, non- confrontational response on the part of the people?
He would not do so because this would be violently against what he stands for. Have a look at this dude’s record as leader of his party. What have we gotten from him but confrontation and daybah? Do you recall when he had to be asked to leave the Hosue? Do you recall the riotous calamity in Marigot right prior to the elections in 2019? This guy was always bad news for UWPwee and for Dominica. Always!
Awa we, I had you in high regard but that is crap now. I done with dat
“Dominicans have moral obligation to prevent nomination” I am asking you Ugly Lenny, who are the Dominicans you talking about? Is that you are so dam S****d Labour has the majority of voters? Another question for you ugly Lenny, where does” moral obligation ” comes into that coming election 6. 12. 22 didn’t Edison James did the same thing just that it backfired on him big time because so-called workers clowns were useless and have not changed.
It has been 10 days since Skerrit made his snap election announcement. UWP and anyone else who needs to object should have already consulted the lawyers.
Come one guys – get it together. If you all plan on taking this man down, then have yourself armed, ready to go at any notice. He is always a step ahead, where as, it is the opposition that needs to be a few steps ahead. Stop wasting time and determine what the legalities are so that you can plan/lead accordingly.
Did you not see that LL said the lawyers were consulted and any legal proceedings is up to them? Wha happen you blind in you ears or you cant hear in your eyes? Stuppes man!
NO REFORM, NO ELECTION!
Boss, you are gonna have to find another slogan very soon because come December 6, you will be crying and wailing and gnashing your teeth when you realize that there are General Elections without the reform that you wish. Get your diapers and anti-diarrhoea tabs ready!
NO REFORM NO ELECTION
….and for Skerrit, no reform no erection.