Electoral Reform Group: PM Skerrit and Electoral Commission Chairman should cleanse electors list before general election

Committee for electoral reform

Over the last few weeks, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has been teasing his supporters with his intention to call general elections, that is constitutionally due by May 2020, and in recent days, information has surfaced that the Prime Minister may announce the date for general elections as early as this coming weekend, at a political rally in Grand Bay.

Whereas the Prime Minister has the constitutional authority to call elections at any time, the Prime Minister must be reminded that he has the moral responsibility to respect the wishes of the Dominican people and their unequivocal desire for Electoral Reform and most specifically the cleansing of the electoral list and the issuance of identification cards, to ensure that electors are not allowed to vote more than once and to avoid false personification.

Recognizing the demand for electoral reform by the population, the Prime Minister has requested the intervention of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and CARICOM, to assist in resolving the impasse on electoral reform.

During the week of August 5th, 2019, a mission comprising of representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and CARICOM visited Dominica and held consultations with various organizations and key stakeholders on the issue of electoral reform.  The mission indicated that a report on their findings will be issued and circulated to all relevant parties as soon as it is practically feasible.

To date the mission has not submitted its report to the stakeholders and it is understood that neither has the report been submitted to the Prime Minister, subject to correction.  If, however, the Prime Minister has received the report of the mission of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and CARICOM, it is expected that the most appropriate action would be to inform the population of its findings and to proceed with necessary actions as may be recommended in the report.

It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the report from the mission of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and CARICOM on electoral reform in Dominica has not been submitted and therefore any action by the Prime Minister to call general elections without waiting on the findings and recommendations of the report,  or without electoral reform or adhering to the minimum requirements of cleaning the voters list and issuing of identification cards, will be considered a breach of trust with the mission which he called to assist and the Dominican people as well as. It has been generally agreed and accepted by most parties, including the political parties, the church, private sector, civil society and the voting population, that any elections held under the existing conditions will be vulnerable to fraud, since the names of numerous persons who are not qualified to vote are still on the electors list and the use of indelible ink is no longer an effective mechanism for preventing persons from voting more than once.

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission has been silent on the matter and it appears that the Electoral Commission is deliberately allowing the clock to tick until such time that it will again declare that there is insufficient time to do the necessary cleansing of the electors list and the issuance of voter identification cards, even though the Chairman of the Electoral Commission has stated that the Electoral Office has all the necessary resources to undertake the cleansing of the list and to issue identification cards.

The Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Electoral Commission are therefore advised that they should take a page of the electoral process from our CARICOM member state of Guyana where more than 300,000 voters were re-registered during the month of August 2019, to facilitate the cleansing of the electors list in that country.

General elections is the most sacred duty of Dominican citizens, who are given only one opportunity to select who governs the affairs of the State for five-year intervals and the people have a right to demand that this process is conducted in an environment of fairness, free from any gerrymandering and with equal opportunities.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica gives the Prime Minister the authority and unique privilege to call general elections at any time. However, this authority and privilege must be executed with an honoured level of moral responsibility and respect for the desires of the Dominican people. Such privilege should not be abused to the demise and dishonour of the democratic process.

Over the last few years the Concerned Citizens Movement and more recently, from January, 2019, the Electoral Reform Group, which comprises of the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches, the Dominica Business Forum Inc., the Dominica Public Service Union, the Dominica Bar Association and the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union, have worked assiduously in sensitizing and educating the Dominican public on the need for electoral reform.

The Electoral Reform Group released, on August 8th, 2019, its final report on the electoral reform process with substantial recommendations for the enhancement of Dominica’s democracy.   To date, neither the Prime Minister nor the Electoral Commission has either made any comments on the report or agreed to meet with the Electoral Reform Group in response to the Group’s requests.

Whereas it is understood that the Commonwealth of Dominica is embroiled in what can be considered to be an intensive and prolonged election campaign, and that the Prime Minister may be tempted to take advantage of conditions that may be favourable to him and his political party, the Prime Minister is advised to allow the interest of the Dominican people to take precedence over any political party advantage and allow:

  1. The Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and CARICOM mission time to submit their report
  2. Allow the stakeholders sufficient time to review the report and to take the necessary action, if required
  3. Assist the Electoral Commission in expediting the cleansing of the electors list and issuance of voter identification cards
  4. Allow the Electoral Commission time to execute their responsibilities as prescribed by law
  5. Most importantly allow the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica their indomitable right to Free and Fair Elections

His Excellency the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, being privy to the discussions related to the electoral reform process and being the authority responsible for the appointment of the Electoral Commission, should use his good office to influence positive action towards electoral reform through the Prime Minister and the Electoral Commission.

It is the hope that good sense will prevail and no action will be taken by the Prime Minister to further precipitate an already volatile and seemingly hostile, election campaign and that the next general elections will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, justice and tranquility, with the winning party allowed to govern our homeland to prosperity for the next five-year electoral cycle.

God bless the Commonwealth of Dominica.

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23 Comments

  1. Lin clown
    September 14, 2019

    RANDYX ,if you take to the street to have any PROTEST or DEMONSTRATION without PERMISSION from the Commissioner of Police,I can guarantee YOU everyone of the LEADERS will be ARRESTED.It is time that these UWP bunch of TERRORISTS learn to respect the POLICE.I can also tell you RANDYX there are HARDCORE LABOURITES in Dominica,and they are MANY.Like Hector John,this Government will NOT be INTIMIDATED.Lazy UWP.Bunch of LOSERS.

    • Casio
      September 16, 2019

      Lin Clown you are the epitome of a house negro. You very much resemble Stephen, the house negro put in charge of Kalvin Candy’s in the movie Django. Needless to say he got what he deserved in the end.

  2. Electoral Reform now!
    September 14, 2019

    The electoral office can do it. They are being prevented from carrying out their duties. Electoral Reform group is telling them that they “sould”. I am telling them that they will, otherwise I will be forced to misbehave.

  3. Kalinago Justice
    September 14, 2019

    :?: This group need and should together with other civic minded groups including the Unions lead the protests and demonstrations so that it doesn’t look like a UWP partisan political movement!!! There should definitely be no elections without electoral reforms and the one-man regime should be made to feel it!!!

  4. Diafish Jab
    September 14, 2019

    Tag every legitimate voter, tattoo a bar code and Labour will still win by a landslide! Actions that count, can be seen and felt, that’s what people vote for and put the X next to. All talk and dubious actions get a smile, 2 shots of rum and no X where it counts!

  5. The parable
    September 14, 2019

    “Action speaks louder than words words. “

  6. I promise you
    September 14, 2019

    If the PM announces the date with no plan for electoral reform, I will protest. I will misbehave!

  7. Not this time around
    September 14, 2019

    If we move in to elections before cleansing of the voters list and issuing voters ID, the DLP will have the loopholes they usually use to steal the elections. Notice how they are fighting against electoral reform?

  8. Kalinago Justice
    September 13, 2019

    :?: The ball is in the hands of we the people of Waitukubuli,we shall take any and all the actions necessary to stop the one-man corrupt rogue regime from announcing another elections!!!

  9. Cressie jodeph
    September 13, 2019

    Randy Rodney boy you’re such a fake stop making people believe you care about them you have no love in your heart,thoeythat don’t know you u will fool them you just singing for your self in the event uwp gets in power to enrich yourself be real for once you irritate me

  10. viewsexpressed
    September 13, 2019

    Skerrit, we know that you are electorally weak in some areas, so please take advice, read, consult, comprehend what you see is recommended here.
    Most importantly allow the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica their indomitable right to Free and Fair Elections
    “Most importantly allow the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica their indomitable right to Free and Fair Elections”. No more obvious, planned electoral Bobol and thievery. We are tired and have had enough of this failed Skerrit and this corrupt Labour Government he has lead for many years. Nothing of decency has come out of it, due to his leadership ably supported by his blind labour associates just to say we have this immature little, inexperienced Skerrit as PM. But it is noted that he is this puppet on a string pulled by so many of his nefarious friends. Why he, well Skerrit has been this obvious, Visible, failure Odd Minister. Skerrit ruined our nature island. There has not been anything new of value from Skerrit…

  11. Positive Vibes
    September 13, 2019

    Things to think of:
    Never in my life have I seen thieves that on a stealing mission put guards in place to ensure they catch the thieves. Have you?
    Never in my life have I seen a Rat or rats set traps to catch them; have you?
    Never in my life have I seen criminals inform the police that they going to commit a crime; have you

  12. Man bites dogs
    September 13, 2019

    @RandyX, You sound very worried and so are the wicked rest of your lots angry fights lies just because none of you including Lennox Linton and his 5 Rabbits don’t have an answer to Dr Skerrit Administration, Reform what Reform there will be no Electoral reform you people are sick bats out of hell 👹

    • RandyX
      September 14, 2019

      I don’t engage in discussions with you anymore. You are just simply not on the required level!

  13. Lin clown
    September 13, 2019

    The Dominican people,who are they?The people in MAJORITY are the Dominican people,and that’s LABOURITES.WE the PEOPLE are not going to listen to these bunch of UWP PUPPETS,especially Pastor RASPUTIN.There will be NO electoral reform before ELECTION.

    • PRO
      September 13, 2019

      … did you read this before posting . Do you realize how backwards you sound?

      • September 14, 2019

        What should we expect from this “empty verbal bag of coals Lin clown (like his pen name suggests) but verbal dust”; boss if is man you man publish your real name nah!

    • viewsexpressed
      September 13, 2019

      Lin Clown, will always be this clown laughing at herself from the mirror. It is the same image and useless talk every time she opens her mouth and writes these nonsensessical messages that has no substance that it can make a difference to our development. Skerrit is a big failure and we can see why, it is these failed, nefarious acolytes who follow all over and read out his ABC`s for him daily and that is why we are where we are. Political ABC`s on a daily basis and they chant out of tune, “We love our PM”..” That failed childish politican who has not been successful as minister of Education, much less to be this Dominica`s Odd Minister. What has Skerrit really done for or Dominica? Well, I can refer to a few, Here goes. 1. Bin Bobol,, 2. Fertlizer Bobo, 3. Red Clinic Bobol, 4.Handouts Bobol and the visible inexperienced displayed by this failed immature man, has really kept our Nature Isle backward and so to of our people, villages, are all back in the 1950`s. No more bananas,…

    • Ibo France
      September 13, 2019

      This comment has to be one of the most asinine comments ever on DNO. This is typical of many of the DLP supporters. Skerrit must have laughed from ear to ear after reading such unadulterated rubbish in support of his wrecking ball administration. Nothing corrupt politicians like more than ignorant, gullible, idiotic supporters. With people such as this one, Dominica will be forever doomed if this feather-weight, profoundly corrupt administration remains in power.

    • Casio
      September 16, 2019

      Why not Lin CLown? why dont you want to see the reforms?

  14. RandyX
    September 13, 2019

    We heard all this before. We need action now! If Skerrit isn’t doing it, we all need take to the street! By god we have enough reason: unfair election, missing state funds, ongoing general corruption, severe incompetence, ongoing lying about government policies, buying of votes, buying of candidates… The list is never ending. We need to rescue our country now from the clutches of this despot!

    • Selfmade
      September 13, 2019

      Understood……but I bet you would not be the first “to take to the street”. You all to like to protest behind a phone or computer screen

      • Eddy A
        September 17, 2019

        Just watch this space! You, for sure will be the first one to hide behind Skerrits skirt when we get started. None of you guys care about DLP, Skerrit or Dominica, all you lot care about is that the red clinic continues and the left overs of Skerrits banquet table will always be available to all you!

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