Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Duncan Stowe, has responded to concerns raised in the media regarding the government’s ongoing digital electoral reform survey.
Expert Jurist, Sir Dennis Byron, was contracted by the government to undertake a review of Dominica’s electoral process, systems and legislation – under which the survey falls.
Since April 26, the survey has been available on the electoral office’s website to nationals who are 18 years and older.
According to a press release from Sir Byron, the endeavor is anonymous and independent of the government, political parties and appointees, entities and individuals. He also gave the assurance that the survey’s back end is only being accessed by him and his team.
Since it was announced, some have expressed skepticism as to whether the survey will yield any real fruit, labelling the venture as ill-advised, flawed and inadequate to provide a clear picture of the views of voters on electoral reform.
In a commentary piece recently, Politics and Government Instructor Alex Bruno critiqued the survey as being exclusively digital. He is convinced that this will alienate sections of the population who do not have internet access and hence yield inaccurate results.
Bruno also questioned the reliability of the survey as he is of the view that “possibilities exist for widespread abuse” due to the fact that an individual is able to retake the survey multiple times.
In an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), Stowe said he is aware of the concerns raised, however, he says it must be noted that the survey is aimed at extracting information from a sample of individuals and not necessarily 100 percent of the Dominican electorate. In light of this, Stowe said the question of disenfranchisement is a non-issue.
He said that the survey should be regarded not as a poll or general election which would normally encompass the participation of the entire electorate but instead, as just a survey – geared at gathering information from a subset of people, with the purpose of generalizing the results to a larger population.
“I am not an expert in doing surveys of that nature but I have a basic understanding as to what’s involved and from my understanding, when you do a survey of that nature, you are merely trying to get a sample of what persons out there are thinking,” he reiterated adding, “This is not a general election. It is a survey.”
“…I think persons need to understand that it is a survey which is really trying to get the opinion of members of the public on some of the critical issues relating to electoral reform that we’ve been talking about in Dominica. It is not a poll. So therefore, you are not disenfranchising persons per say, because you’re really… trying to get a sample of the electorate,” he said.
As to the issue of the survey being completely digital, Stowe echoed a sentiment similar to Sir Byron in a press release last week in which he called on individuals to assist those who may not have access to the internet to complete the survey.
“Yes it is being done electronically. Yes, everyone in the country does not have access to a computer or a tablet but I am sure those who have access are in a position to assist the persons who do not have access to ensure as many persons participate in the process,” Stowe said while suggesting that individuals should adopt an ‘each one, help one’ approach in order to advance the survey which he believes will have benefits for everyone.
“It’s really feedback that they are trying to get on particular issues – issues that relate to the electoral process… It is not possible to do a survey of that nature… and get 100 percent participation. I am sure the persons who are responsible for processing the data, they are aware of that,” he said.
When questioned on the possibility of an abuse of the system, the chairman expressed confidence that the structure is secure and that the experts contracted to manage the process are able to spot fraudulent activity. He confirmed that “from the last week or so, that type of pattern of fraudulent activity had not been detected.”
“The system which is in place to conduct the survey is a secure system. I think it is a system whereby persons will continue to remain anonymous. It is not a system that is being managed by the electoral office. It is not a system that is being managed by the government of Dominica. It is not a system that is managed by Sir Dennis Byron. He has contracted experts. The person who designed the survey and the person who gives advice to Sir Dennis, he is in Trinidad [at] the back end…. And that’s where it is being processed. So everything is pretty much secure,” he said.
“Again, I am not an expert in the area but from my conversations with the persons who are responsible for managing the process, you can’t really prevent fraud in any survey of that nature anywhere in the world. But the people are sufficiently trained that if there is any fraudulent activity taking place, they are sufficiently trained to spot it,” he stated.
As part of the electoral review process, another survey has already been conducted involving civic minded individuals and groups, including the political parties in Dominica, according to chairman.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit recently on his Anou Parle radio program said that he wishes for the reform process to be done speedily with swift implementation of legislation.
“I would love to have electoral reform done and completed,” he said.
“I really hope we can conclude this, at least the legislation this year and use 2022 to roll out the actions of coming out of this legislation and the recommendation of Sir Dennis. I would really want to have this done and over with [as] quickly as possible.”
The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) among other groups over the years, have organized movements including protests, to demand electoral reform in Dominica. The cleaning up of the voters list, voter identification cards and the issue of bribery and treating are key issues preventing free and fair elections in Dominica, the opposition claims.
In August 2020, Skerrit announced that cabinet had approved the engagement of Sir Byron to head efforts towards implementing electoral reform in Dominica.
According to the prime minister, government has already provided the electoral commission with all resources required to implement electoral reform including software, hardware, human resources, training and draft legislation.
“There was a delay because of the coronavirus and … in the appointment of the chairman of the Electoral Commission but since then, consultations have commenced and many organizations and individuals were written to soliciting feedback and comments from them in respect to electoral reform. I believe following this there will be town hall meetings obviously carried by the use of technology, so that people can air their views to Sir Dennis Byron who will then make recommendations,” he noted.
One of Sir Byron’s mandates, according to Skerrit, is to look at existing drafts legislation and determine whether they “meet the requirements of what we are seeking to achieve.”
Last year, the government wrote to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat asking them to assist Sir Dennis in the carrying out his duties. He has also been authorized to engage the OECS Commission to consider best practices and come up with recommendations in that regard, Skerrit said.
Dominica has always had free and fair elections, the prime minister said.
The survey closes on May 14, 2021.
Garson, Duncan really surprised me. Mister is/was such a nice respectable man before he became a prostituting his dignity and ethics for the cabal its amazing. These guys are the ones who should be on the frontline fighting corruption but instead he has become one of the POSTER boys for corruption. Like the leader of the 6:30 Club Mr. Pantyman, he will soon find himself facing the wrath of the people. Cant wait to hear his excuse why he did all this corrupt stuff. The hour of reckoning will soon come.
CARICOM countries have all implemented Electoral Reforms to ensure their Elections are Free and Fair.
St. Kitts & Nevis did not engage its own legal luminarie Byron to consult on reforms nor pay him any sum of money, but has implemented necessary Reforms – Re – registration, clean Voters’ List, issuance of Voter ID Card.
Electoral Commission, OAS, CARICOM, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the citizens, Civil Society, have all recommended same for Dominica, yet authorities stubborn.
The Byron stint is calculated to put a spoke in the wheel of genuine Electoral Reforms, a la other CARICOM countries. There in lies the problem facing Dominica as citizens strive for freedom, equality and liberty and rule of Law.
The almost 1/2 a million $$$$$$$$ to be paid to Byron is further testimony of the misuse of people’s money to fulfill the Cabal’ s own agenda. The picture of deception is plain to see.
When one is not concern about “disenfranchisement”, then we as a people should be weary of these individuals and the organisations that Duncan Stowe represents such as the labour party. Participation is fundamental to democracy along with inclusion therefore not being concerned about this signifies that labour party doesn’t believe in democracy hence every major effort to advance Dominica has to be raised by foreigners. Showing we the people that we are not capable of developing ourselves. Our government should be empowering our institutions and people instead we witness this constant put down, this is unhealthy for us as a people and society. Time to get rid of this labour party! We should be fully capable of handling such a task of electoral reform without having our commission superseded by a foreigner in an unconstitutional appointment of this Dennis Byron. Our systems of governance have clearly failed to protect our constitution and democracy. To hell with this bogus reform!
Here is another passport agent sitting at the top of an organisation that is supposed to be impartial and free from political influence. If he was impartial and not politically influenced he would not be sitting there… DA is infiltrated by Skerrits people and they are paid for by our passport money.
Duncan how many passports have you sold? Listen please don’t come with your non-sense because you are making a fool of yourself. We know who you are and this position is just transactional. By the way can you tell this older judge to leave us alone. He can take the loot and go- He does not have to leave at midnight with his loot- he can leave at noon- just leave us alone- As for you Duncan- take your walk of shame………disgusting.
The survey can never be a true representation of the Dominican population simply because of how it’s administered. Anyone can take it 1 or more times.
I am a former government statistician who is well qualified in designing qualitative and quantitative surveys.
Duncan, I am not sure even you understands the meaning of the word electoral reform, as such let me brief you on the subject:
‘Electoral reform is change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results!
That can include reforms of: Voting systems, such as proportional representation, a two-round system, instant-runoff voting, Instant Round Robin Voting called Condorcet Voting, range voting, approval voting, citizen initiatives and referendums and recall elections.
Vote-counting procedures Rules about political parties, and other typically changes to election.’ Since you are running off your mouth, talking crap, here is something I personally would like to see introduce in Dominica’s electoral reform; hope you will like it.
Have you ever heard the term “recall?”
A recall election, also called a recall referendum, recall petition or representative recall is a procedure by which, in certain polities, voters can remove an elected official…
Continue:
So yes Duncan, I want you to take note of this and informed your god the so called sir jurist as you claimed to be sure to include the following in some paragraph of whatever change, with the ramification of especially the term “Recall of a member of parliament; or precise a constituent.”
Note: A recall election, also called a recall referendum, recall petition or representative recall is a procedure by which, in certain polities, voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before that official’s term has ended.
What this law, or change will do is give the voters the power to remove a corrupted politician such as Roosevelt Skerrit from office, and even puppets like you who lives of the blood of the nation; it could also prevent Roosevelt from creating jobs for his washed up politicians he cast aside with exuberant pay cheques for doing nothing at all.
Here I am part of the survey, quote me!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque.
“Dominica has always had free and fair elections”the Prime Minister said. This boldface lie is in clear contradiction to the report put out by Caricom election observers who wrote in their report that elections in the past were free but ” not fair”. Duncan just doesn’t know what he’s trying to defend because he contradicts himself over and over. He says it’s not a poll yet he talks about sample. No poll interviews 100% of potential respondents but a subset or sample is decided upon based on names in a phone book or other base material. If Duncan doesn’t know about surveys why does he only talk to those being paid to conduct the survey. Commonsense tells me they will always defend their pay even if it’s shoddy work. By giving Dennis a copy of the draft legislation before hand will only skew his work methodology and output. He who pays the piper calls the tune. This exercise stinks to high heaven of cronyism and disingenuousness.
“The other side”. See how these people think? What about people like me who arent on any sides. Not waving any flags, not red blue or green. Those only in support of the integrity of the nation and its people. Those who are on the “side” of what is right anddo not uphold curruption and theft, abuse and degredation, waste and spoilage. You all think that anyone who criticizes the government is “on the other side”. What you dont realize is that we are all in the same boat. and when it goes down, we all go down with it, captain and all. Hold whatever “side” you want.
Duncan, the survey is flawed! How can Dominica population views be represented by the sample when the Labour party, or anyone for that matter, any political party, any interest group, could take the survey a thousand times over! How can the survey be representative of the Dominica population when anyone anywhere in the world can take the survey 1000 times and no one would know who and where? Come on with the good intentions. We all have good intentions. But human nature is not restricted to good intentions, which is why we have rules, guidance, laws, limitations, police, courts and prisons! You cannot set up such a flawed process with so many gaps and just expect that people will do the right thing! The survey process is some flawed that it is useless as a sample of the Dominica population. It may be somebody’s sample but not Dominica! This is not rocket science. You guys are wicked to not see this. You all truly do not love Dominica and want the best for Dominica future!
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.” All the more reasons that Alex is right. Duncan, if you are seeking a sample to be representative of a population, and one person can submit 100 times, then this is not a sample, this is one person manipulating the sample. Now imagine if a group of party supporters then sit down and did this. You no longer have a sample from the population, but you now have a party dictating the views. How is this difficult for you to understand? Don’t you see the gap in the survey process? It is useless, Duncan!
Stowe of all people sees fit to lecture us. He is nothing else but a bought in mouthpiece of the man that calls himself PM of Dominica. Why does the Electoral Commission consist of two Skerrit followers and one UWP representative? Is this fair? I put it to all you that as long as the electoral commission is under Skerrits control there isn’t going to be any fair elections to start of with. Each leader of the currant political parties should appoint each one person to the electoral commission. As soon as that is done the cleansing of the register should commence under close supervision of this new electoral commission. That commission should also be responsible in for the conduct of elections including the implementation of rules of fairness in particular of introducing spending caps and banning of all kind of treating.
Instead of the chairman coming out to express his ignorance about surveys he should have taken the opportunity to consult with persons who are skilled in statistics and survey methodology. Doesn’t he know of an institution called the university of the West Indies? When polls or surveys are done in the US they don’t go polling Canadians, Russians or people from other countries to analyze for survey results. This survey is open to all and sundry and persons can respond numerous times thus skewing and biasing the result. Also why does Skerritt want to present draft proposals to Dennis Byron, this suggests that he’s trying to influence the outcome of the final report. Duncan, please consult competent personnel in the field of statistics and surveys and wheel and come back again. Your pleading ignorance is unacceptable.
Duncan Stowe is a waste of grey matter!!!!! Dominica “Blood” money is his only focus.
This man I can tell you is not a happy gentleman although he is wealthy from the Skerrit Regime.
What is next my Friend.
But Mr. Stowe ofcourse the survey will never capture 100% of the population however it will only capture only those with access to the internet and this is not a true representation of the population. a true survey should be available for the entire population though not 100% will take it
These critiques are so hateful of the PM that anything that is done, they will criticize and not give any recommendations.
I consider those persons as hateful people and supporters of wars and strifes. They do not want to see progress in anything.
They are just growing to be mean and hateful persons, wasting their time, giving no suggestions, spending their time looking for fault – the tiniest thing to blow it into a mountain. NO love at all. Cannot see any food in anything including themselves.
A call for a day of prayer for those persons and ask the Father to change their hearts since is only God who can change them but they must be willing to change. Please intercede on their behalf. Still love them for on the cross of Calvary, our savior called on God to “forgive them for they know what they do”. Also in Acts, when Stephen was stoned, even while dying, he asked for forgiveness for them.
It is time these Naysayers just humble themselves, stop hating & love one…
@The Truth Be Told
Why should those people you are referring to give recommendations to Skerrit, liar in chief?
The OAS gave recommendatioms
The Commonwealth gave recommendations
Caricom gave recommendations
Civil Society organisations gave recommendations
The inveterate and compulsive liar in chief (Skerrit) shelved all.
He rather steal than to adopt the recommendations.
So your comment is pure and unadultersted ignorance or hypocricy.
We already gave recommendations. Regional and international organisations who have observed our elections have also given their recommendations since 2014. Its not a matter of hating Skerrit. Its a matter of securing our elections process as actually free and fair for generations to come. The PM knows if proper changes are made, he would be at a severe disadvantage. For example we know that treating and bribery is DLP biggest weapon. whether it is a house, a piece of wood, a plane or a boat ticket, or dry cash in an envelope, we know that is where DLP strong. They alwasy wasting money, we also want an audit of campaign financing because we do not want political parties to be involved in money laundering, especially as we see with our own eyes that government officials have literally and figuretively been in bed with known criminals. these are some of the changes we want. Not a ready mix reform whipped up by the PM given to Byron, who will then hand it back to the PM like he did the job
Truth, give yourself an education man. The word is critics and not critiques. You sure you understand the subject?
Clearly, Duncan Stowe does not understand the science behind surveys. While it is okay to survey a sample of the population, the sample must be representative of the population. The opinions/perspectives of electors without access to a computer and the internet or who are unable to use such facilities are omitted from the survey. The lack of control of the online survey means that there can be multiple responses by same respondents. In particular, persons with strong political partisan views can swarm the exercise with multiple responses in an attempt to skew the results to reflect their views/positions. Both the omission of electors without access or who are unable to use a computer and the internet and the opportunity to manipulate the survey to yield a particular outcome introduce a biasness in the survey results., thereby rendering it seriously flawed.
“Expert Jurist, Sir Dennis Byron, ” (Duncan).
You see, Dennis is called sir, so when Dominicans hear that they should tremble and submit to their crap!
Dennis to my mind does not know what the hell he is talking about or knows what he is doing; he functions as someone who is senile.
I will again asks Duncan, Dennis and Mr. Corruption Roosevelt Skerrit, how come in a matter of six weeks or there about an electoral reform was developed; tabled and implemented in Antigua just prior to the last election in Antigua?
In Dominica, no one is held accountable for their crookedness, as usual it’s government money so who cares; meanwhile, the majority of people are hungry, no source of income they depend on Roosevelt for three hundred dollars in a manilla envelope written on “from the prime minister.
And mind you that only goes to certain older citizens.
The young has no place for employment; hence they must commit crime to survive.
Electric bill, water gas, food: $300…
Not sure what you are trying to say above there star!! A poll is a survey that just ask one simple question usually. Quick online search will indicate. Polls/survey are not intended to sample entire population. You agree so why are you requesting those with computer to help those without If you are not concerned about getting accurate representation of population? It is strange that you vouch for the security of a platform when you don’t understand how it works and it is not controlled or implemented by you or any users. Hmmm hmmm. Tbe responsibility to electoral reform is your responsibility stop waiting for direction.
I’ve said this repeatedly and I feel compelled to say it one more time. Anyone who works for Skerrit CANNOT be of good report. All who work for this man are seriously compromised no matter their academic achievements or how many letters in front or behind their names.
Mr. Duncan Stowe stated several times that he is not an expert in conducting surveys as he has not done any before. It shows. He has had nothing substantive to add on the matter. He was just vacuous..
This survey is a futile exercise. It’s a subterfuge. The outcome has already been determined.
The reforms put forward by CARICOM, OAS, the Commonwealth team and the local civil group should suffice. Dennis Byron should be enjoying his retirement. He’s not needed nor wanted in Dominica. He will only soil his reputation working for boldfaced, villainous pervert.
The entire survey is badly conducted, because the online thing is disenfranchising too many people.In fact Mr Stowe even the sample you are talking about could be compromised as well.. That “””each one help one””” thing, is wishful thinking. Most Dominicans are concerned and preoccupied about their own survival, so its just a small minority that can adhere to that..
Saddest thing is, you Stowe, are aware of all the flaws of the survey, but you are defending it, in the same way 99.99999% of Skerrit’s labourites know that Skerrit is a corrupt leader, but they are trying to defend him.
So Stowe, in the meantime the Electoral Commission is doing no work?.
Why not work on Voter ID or Cleansing of the bloated list still?
The entire electoral system is in shambles. A case in point.. Why should residents of Dubique that were resettled at “”Center”” in Grandbay, vote in the Petite Savanne constituency. That is COMMESS Mr Stowe..Those people should vote in GrandBay.
We need…
Look another one. Millionaire over night. What happen Skerrit send you to distract us? As the chairman of the electoral reform commission you should be embarassed to even speak. You allow Skerrit to give Sir Byron your job and your Authority. The electoral commission should have been acting as a only non partisan entity to ensure that Dominicans are allowed a free and fair election in accordance with our laws. You yourself are a lawyer Duncan so the laws should not be that hard to interpret. Instead you allow Skeerit to contract Byron to do a faulty survey which i myself have done at least 7 times, each with different information. How dies that “exercise” properly and adequately assist in making any informed decision when the question structure is flawed, the questions do not address the issues and responses can be significantly manipulated? I did it 7 times to show some people that the survey was useless and would not provide proper data to make a proper decision.
7 times? Eh beh you have time on your hands. Those questions I see there would require you to take note of all your previous answers we
takes me about 5 minutes to complete it. Whats worse is i can say anything i want each time i do it. So i do not need to take note of previous responses. Especially as it is ananymous. I might just go ahead and do it again just for fun.
I understand that already there are cries, lamentations over the work that Sir Denis is doing in this regard. From what I have gleaned the other side seemingly has already determined that the they will not support the work to include recommendations going forward. You would have though that they would have given the process the support that is required. Represent their views and opinions and make suggestions as per their expectation on electoral reform. To kill it now, long before the process is completed is irresponsible. It speaks volumes to the real intentions of those who invoke cries of electoral reform. Do they really want electoral reform? Or is the chorus for electoral reform, nothing less but a partisan rallying cry for “boots on the ground”? Is the search, hope and desire for electoral reform real and sincere? Or is it yet another visceral tool to stir up public emotions for denouncing electoral programs that is not in sync with the other side’s notion of electoral reform?
The process to be fair should have never involved Skerrit who has a big dog in the race and cannot afford to lose as we all know. .He made the announcement about Byron. It is naive to think that integrity is automatic because of “SIR” or “LORD” around a name. Because you asked for a cake does not mean that you should not question the motives and integrity of the baker if the baker is chosen by your competitor who even physically has indicated a desire to see you jailed and who has accumulated so much that he cannot afford to lose and be investigated. The significant giveaway is when Skerrit said publicly that as soon as he receives the draft bill from Byron he will take it straight to the House of Assembly, The only way he would rush to make it law when his political legacy and survival is at stake is if he already knows what is in it.
@Ron Charles, when the process is flawed from it’s inception why should concerned patriots participate in it and wait until the end of the exercise to raise objections. That would be foolish and suicidal to the goal of getting fair and honest electoral reform. The law setting up the electoral commission states that the commission is not subservient to anyone, yet Skerritt took it upon himself to do the work for the commission by engaging Dennis Byron on the behalf of the commission. What gone bad a morning can’t come good in the evening.
Ibo France, Dimon Williams and Jonathan St. Jean, this is serious business. Can we leave out the emotive statements about perceived wrong doings and deal with the matter at hand in an objective manner. What is the basis of the unfounded suspicions as to what the final work will be like? Isn’t there an opportunity for the opposition to air and present its views and proposals on electoral reform as they see it? Has the consultant said or done anything that would justify the level of suspicion that is presently making the rounds?
So unless electoral reform is not undertaken a la UWP dictates, it is not good – and so we cannot achieve that which all of us want? Must our public discuss on such important public issues come down to “our way or the highway”?
Will castigating the reputation of this well-respected jurist, purely on the altar of blue partisan rhetoric deliver to us an objective package of information and proposals that can be used for effective electoral reform?
@Ron Charles, are you serious? Skerritt himself brought in capable persons from Carricom who consulted with the citizens and organizations and presented a report which outlined proposals for electoral reform prior to the last election, but King Skerritt was not in agreement with the recommendations. He turns around and brings in his guy, gives Dennis his blue print of what he wants and Dennis now opens up the process to the whole world. What was wrong with the recommendations of the Carricom persons? Answer this question and come again
@Ron Charles
The cries for electoral reforms were very vociferous before the last election. So much so that Mr. Skerrit sought the assistance of the OAS, the Commonwealth organization and CARICOM to deliver a plan They obliged.
The local NGOs made recommendations also. Mr. Skerrit soundly and summarily dismissed them all. Now after winning the last election using a deeply flawed and corrupt electoral system he has paid one foreigner, Dennis Byron, to completely redo what was done by all these reputable and non-partisan organizations.
Questions for you:
*What legitimate reasons were there not to implement the recommendations offered by all these reputable organizations?
*Why not used the recommendations that are well documented instead of re-inventing the wheel?
*Is this really a serious attempt at electoral reform or a horse and pony show?
I smell a rat.
You appear to deduce that it is only Dominica’s political opposition, who decry Sir Byron’s involvement and wish not to cooperate in this survey. Let me assure you that many in the Labour Party are equally concerned. This is a Roosevelt Skerrit inspired exercise. We have a constitution, which makes it very clear that electoral matters are the exclusive preserve of the electoral commission and mr. Stowe, as head of that body, should execute his mandate without influence or interference from any third party.
We are getting used to it, everything in Dominica is influenced by this corrupt third ‘party’. It’s all about the money, integrity and love for our country all gone out of the window.
Ron, the survey is flawed! How can “their views and opinions and make suggestions as per their expectation on electoral reform” be represented in the survey when the Labour party, or anyone, any political party, any interest group, could take the survey a thousand times over! How can the survey be representative of the Dominica population when anyone anywhere in the world can take the survey 1000 times and no one would know who and where? Come on with the good intentions. We all have good intentions. But human nature is not restricted to good intentions, which is why we have rules, guidance, laws, limitations, police, courts and prisons! You cannot set up such a flawed process with so many gaps and just expect that people will do the right thing! On which planet do you exists man?
The reforms have already been presented my multilple international and local organisations. Those are not the reforms Skerrit wanted so he is putting us through this exercise. The outcome of this has already been determined since before Byron even reach Dominica. This is just his attempt to show that the process was legit. But we know better.