President of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Loftus Durand, believes that despite failed efforts to ensure electoral reform before the December 6 general elections, many more people in Dominica are now more aware of the message and the group will continue to champion the cause for free and fair elections.
Since its formation in 2014, the CCM has been at the forefront of a campaign for electoral reform, organizing meetings and directing protests in pursuit of that end. Despite these efforts, the 2019 general election was held without the implementation of basic reforms such as the cleansing of the voters’ list and the introduction of voter identification cards.
The CCM President, who was recently chosen as the Sun newspaper 2019 ‘Person of the Year’, told Dominica News Online, in an interview, that the collective effort of the organization, last year, has raised awareness of for the need for electoral reform in Dominica.
“Like all scenarios in life, much more can be accomplished based on how you look at it, but I am very satisfied based on where we are, and what we did in 2019, as the Concerned Citizens Movement,” Durand said.“We basically sounded the alarm that our democracy is on the fritz in Dominica.
He continued, “In the very genesis of that movement, a lot of persons did not understand the call that we were making then, all the way back in 2014. But, I must admit that along the years, through the hard work of the members of the CCM and others who support the movement in one way, shape or form, that call became louder, and a lot more persons in Dominica are aware of the message that we are continuing to champion as it relates to free and fair elections.”
Durand alleged that the last general election, held in December 2019, was a “sham” and was “without a shadow of doubt, stolen” by the Dominica Labour Party through unfair practices, including the importation and impersonation of voters.
“We saw the Dominica Labour Party go around Dominica putting up their red flags, their red paraphernalia and everything, a whole year before. When I say the election was rigged, that is the evidence we have pointing to it…” he explained. “We witnessed the various bands, the various gospel artistes, the various activities that basically lent themselves to tricking and bribery of a number of voters in and out of Dominica.”
Durand said that although the CCM is disappointed in the events and outcome of the December 2019 general election, the organization remains undaunted.
“We feel a sense of disappointment, but I am, for sure, and some persons are, for sure, in that… we are somehow not too despondent, not too depressed…” he assured. “There’s a sense of eagerness now in moving forward so that when we come out with similar messages, persons now will be much more eager to come out and support the movement in a bigger way.”
He guaranteed the public that the CCM “will continue to stand in defense of our country… as it relates to the continued task of free and fair elections in Dominica.”
Regarding his Sun “Person of The Year” award, the CCM president said he has decided that this title must be shared with “patriots” who stand for their country, particularly in the movement towards electoral reform.
Wa wa wa. I wonder how long you all will stay singing the same song. A song that has no turne . A song that cost you your lost on December 6. A song that is outdated. Come on my brother. Let us sing a new song. A song that can bring peace and harmony in our beloved Dominica. A song that build and unite our people. A song that can create a better way for our people and future generations. Come on let us sing. Peace is flowing like a river. Let the God of our fore fathers be our guide in this bless and holy land.
The people of Granbay played the GAME. LABOUR POWER VOTES: 1,525. (UWP) 209 VOTES. Go ahead half gone but it will be ALL GONE CON DI CHAT LA. MASSISI LA DI ZOR BATTE CORE ZOR, PASQUE NOUS LABOURITES SAV NOUS AMAY PM NOUS, SAY POUR SA NOUS REELE E (REELECT).
Loftus, you think you are another Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Get a life and a job. All your ranting falling on deaf ears. You stop burning the streets and blocking the roads. What next is up your sleeve, …….? Go job hunting, …… You, lennox , and Baptiste, are three blind mice.
Sir, PM did not import me to Dominica, cuz I’m not a MARCHANDISE KNOW YOUR POSITION. Twenty long years i’m a labourite. I am not rich but I work to TAKE care of my BILLS etc, Danziger kw her way home, is in the St. Joe consistuency, and you kw very well is LABOUR CITY. How many you brought home? Where were you when yr acolites attacked the Cardinal and Bishop? MA TAN OU,
I wish to congratulate and commend Loftus Durand and CCM for their past efforts and continuing efforts into the future.. It is quite shameful, dishonest and hypocritical for the DLP to reject electoral reform before the Dec 6 election and for Skerrit to call for the same thing after Dec 6..
Thou SUETIWER, if you dont have any thing to say LA FERM, cuz GRAND NOMME PA KA HONTE. Thou HIPPO, YOU, LL, BAPTO, SPRAGS, LET THE WEARY REST.
“It is quite shameful, dishonest and hypocritical for the DLP to reject electoral reform before the Dec 6 election and for Skerrit to call for the same thing after Dec 6”
That is the utterances keeping the people stuck in the web of left and right; good that those people are the minority; it is their leaders keeping them in that sorry trap
Clayton writes that “Doctor” name in his signature and yet he speaks without class & decency
Just before the election, PM Skerrit mentioned he gave the electoral commission $6 million for the go-ahead of electoral reform. It is also a fact the UWP attacked the head of the commision, even calling for his resignation (as usual) for delaying that process
So how can Clayton say that PM Skerrit “rejected” electoral reform before the election?
Man, you are the one who is shameful and dishonest. Stop misleading your people; the deception is not working. Tell the people the truth, if indeed you have it
Poor Poor Pity, Go ahead and continue licking your wombs. Fact remains you the CCM is the mouthpiece of the Unitfy Worthless Parasites, (UWP.) Stop the sham. Your devious and divisive behavior is too blame for your whooping. How do your think your overseas voters are viewing your rhetoric and lies, when they know you also brought them to vote? It’s shameless to blame your defeats on everyone but yourself!
When we the people needed you the most where was the UWP or the CCM? You could have done the same as the DLP, instead you publicly humiliated the bishop and cardinal, preached violence and light up Roseau and Salisbury. Man this’s 2020 put your BULL CRAP in a bag and wait until 2025. The CCM is the intellectual branch of the UWP and you were REJECTED. Did you read the article from National Graphic and then pickup by CNN? You and your associates are bent on distruction, chaos and anarchy, but the hands of the most high will be our guide. Yes he delivered us and he will protect us!
Population= 71,293. Is this the resident population based on the last census?
Electors= 70,645. Does this figure take into consideration the non-resident population? Did the the mathematician who wrote the figures on the placard take into consideration that there exist a large percentage of the Population residing outside of Dominica who also have a right to vote? I would suggest to the placard bearer to also include a figure for the non-resident population who also voted (as entitled) in order to give a fairer representation of the voting population. Loftus Duran like his boss Lennox Linton continue to mis-inform their blind followers.
I am ready to hit the streets as soon as you ring the bell.. The election was stolen, and nothing is settled unless it is settled properly..
The doubling of our efforts must start now, not later!!
Skerrit
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Durand, I understand the need for electoral reform in Dominica but when you suggest that there should be no bands, no gospel artists at political functions are you insinuating that political parties should not entertain their supporters? If that is your mindset then you will always be on the losing side; you have ran out of credible ideas.
Loftus Durand you are back with this same nonsense again. You all are looking in the wrong direction and this is why you are making no progress. All the reasons you mentioned for your party miserably losing the last general elections are not valid. Face it, the real reason is that your party doesn’t have the funds to match up. So don’t you think campaign finance reform is a better focus for you? It was obvious the DLP had millions of dollars whereas Mr Linton revealed that the UWP had just about $2M.
So stop this nonsense about impersonation. You had an agent at the polling station who has the right to object. I would assume the agent was from the community and as such knows the people. Stop this nonsense about importation. As long as you are on the list, you are eligible to vote. Stop beating this dead horse. Stop trying to make the lame walk, you are not Jesus. Campaign finance must be your fight. All the best.
Most Dominicans do not care about electoral reform.Those who care,believe LOFTUS DURAND is a PUPPET of the UWP.Also DURAND does not say UWP lost MASSIVE support in the 2019 election,and,the MAJORITY of Dominican voters has NEVER VOTED UWP.
Stop the talk! We need action! Right now the dictator is only laughing at all you. You already allowed him to steal another election.
I stand with you, my brother. We MUST continue to inform the people so that their eyes will be fully opened since they have been blinded for so long. Sometimes it’s hard to come around when there has been so much brain-washing and deceit but in the long run there will be victory and good over every evil force that has held the people in bondage of their own rights and democracy.
IN SOLIDARITY