Economist and President of the National Joint Action Movement (NJAM), Kent Vital, has said that in order for the best parliamentary representatives to be elected to maximize the chances of Dominica achieving its sustainable development objectives, there must be free and fair elections.
Vital made this statement during an NJAM Electoral Reform 2022 virtual rally which was held on February 7, 2022.
He said this rally is all about raising Dominica to the higher heights in addressing the needs of all citizens, reducing poverty and increasing employment, providing better access to health and education, increasing the quality of life for people and providing a better future for children.
The NJAM president noted that it’s important to have good government and governance to lead the nation to a better level of life.
“If elections are not free and fair, chances are that those that are corruptly elected would not have the interest of people at heart. If those who are elected by unfair means, they can’t have your best interest at heart, because the best interest of the majority is only expressed in the free and fair vote and if they can ignore that from day one, we can see they are ignoring your wishes at least,” he said.
Vital said that over the past three general election cycles, “grave concerns” have arisen as regards fair elections, including the breaching of electoral laws, the need for clarification of the law and the need for stronger provisions to ensure that elections are fair.
Vital noted that over the past 15 years these concerns have been raised by election observers.
He cited the OAS Observer Mission report on the December 24th 2014 general election held in Dominica, which made a number of recommendations to further strengthen a democratic electoral process in Dominica most of which, according to the 2014 Mission, were already made by the 2009 Observer Mission.
“However, the mission observed that none of these issues were adequately addressed ahead of the 2014 General elections,” Vital stated.
He said the Mission reiterated the need to implement several recommendations which still had not been implemented prior to the 2019 general elections.
These include a comprehensive update of the electors list, the implementation of a voter identification system, enactment of campaign finance regulations and review of electoral boundaries
“It’s not just the political parties and citizens asking; it’s also our independent observers who have no reason to support any particular constituent in Dominica. They have listened to all sides and at the end of their listening, they have made recommendations which they said have not been implemented,” the NJAM head stated.
The leaders of the United Workers Party (Lennox Linton) and Dominica Freedom party (Bernard Hurtault) were among the presenters at the NJAM Electoral Reform 2022 virtual rally.
Expert jurist Sir Dennis Byron who has been engaged to advance efforts towards electoral reform in Dominica, was invited to attend the rally. He did not participate but according to NJAM officials, the former CCJ president plans to engage with the organization later.
So does that mean Lennox Linton as a result of being thrown out of high school doesn’t meet the educational standard to qualify for high office? In that case why do you keep trying to elect him to become PM? And is it the same corrupt electoral system that keep electing the likes of Spags and Danny Lugay as parlreps for their constituencies? You are so undemocratic. It would appear that fairness for you is only when your party win. This is so Trumpian of you.
Papa Met Mr. Resurrect. But what’s happening to these blood thirsty people who think they know it all! You guys are the rejects who are coming like sheep In wolves clothing. We the majority of Dominicans are overwhelmed with the advancement that’s taking place in Dominica, therefore, electoral reforms are the least bit of our worries. The housing revolution, the revival of agriculture, the cruse ship industries, and hotels are operating to full capacity, what more can we ask for? Now last but not least the infrastructure is highly desirable. Thanks for you negativity and get a life.
Autocorrect devise is messing up.
*Comprised should be Compromised
*Popping should be Poponne
Please stay on this topic above all other. We the people (WTP) are seeking and demanding fairness in Dominica when comes to this extremely important part of our government system. Without electoral reform there’s no democratic government. Why are the labor party are afraid of? Why are people so adamant about not having a just and fair process? They like playing with fire and have been doing so for too long. It’s obvious that previous elections were stolen from the people of Dominica. Let’s go all out and do everything to ensure this never happens again. Keep in mind, that many foreigners who live in Dominica are bought by labor. Lastly, let’s put in this reform that people who reside abroad and do not feel the pain of the people here at home MUST NOT COME TO VOTE. We must set watch at the airport as well as other ports of entry like our shores. We’ve got set watch in all directions. Let’s raise enough money to make this possible. PM spend to steal and we must spend to stop the steal.
Without a fair and proper Electoral System, the calibre of parliamentarians is usually severely comprised. Let’s make a fair assessment as to what obtains in Dominica.
Due to the corrupt electoral system in Dominica, people who are supremely unqualified and unfit to be parliamentarians, most glaring example, Melissa Popping Skerrit, get elected through gaping loopholes in the system. Dominica’s Electoral System has more loopholes for corruption than a fishnet.
To be a good politician one has to be reasonably educated, unselfish and has a keen interest in empowering people.What obtains in Dominica is the complete opposite. The present parliamentarians of the ruling maladministration are gluttonous, dark-hearted, ultra-selfish and amoral.
Everyone of the ministers in government was meticulously handpicked by Skerrit not for their ability but to do his dirty biddings. No wonder Dominica’s wheels are all falling off and the train heading for the abyss.
I second de motion. Well said and things need to change. Those blood 🩸 suckers who keep depleting the resources of our country must be sent packing and then to give an account for their “PEENEZ” blood 🩸 sucking habits. Both their mouths and hands are filled with blood. All those labor mini-stars are VAMPIRES 🧛♀️ VAMPIRES 🧛♂️ VAMPIRES 🧛♀️
Was there only a fair and proper electoral reform in Roseau North, Salisbury and Marigot and, there were no electoral reforms in the other constituencies that the UWP lost? Explain to me why the UWP party won three constituencies in the last general election and lost in 18? And the UWP party is a party full of morticians, undertakers, school drop outs, irrelevants, ignoramuses, handbag/dirt bags, jealous rats, empowering people to block roads in Marigot and setting the streets on fire in Roseau. The 5 star hotel will be built in Pottersville. Tell Danny Lugay to drink some Mount Gay. Dominicans are extremely happy with all the progress and developments going on in their country. Melissa Skerrit is doing well for Roseau and we are satisfied with her hard work and courage. Nobody take you on, IBO France. Nobody. You are irrelevant.