Electoral reform not a practical request – Gaston Browne

Gaston Browne, OECS Chairman

Gaston Browne, the Chairman of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States and Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, is questioning the practicality of implementing electoral reform in Dominica, just two weeks before the December 06th general elections.

Although Browne claims that the issue of electoral reform in Dominica is for the internal political parties to resolve, he nonetheless voiced his opinion on the matter.

“There’s no constitutional crisis in Dominica. Yes, there’s an issue in which the Opposition is calling for electoral reform but how practical it is to have electoral reform before the 6th of December,” he said.

Browne said it still is not practical to extend elections beyond December 6th because according to him, if the election goes beyond the five-year constitutional requirement, then a crisis could ensue.

“As far as I am concerned that is not a practicable request. Again, I am not interfering in the affairs but I have to be very pragmatic about these things. Elections are due and let the better party win. Whichever individual emerges I will embrace,” he said.

In fact, the House of Assembly Elections Act, which governs the holding of elections in Dominica, provides for a General election to be called up to ninety days after the parliament has been dissolved and since parliament was dissolved on November 6, the deadline is sometime in February.

Browne recent statement follows a call for calm in the Commonwealth country after clashes broke out between police and civilians.

Civilians had been camped out on the main road near the official residence of the President Charles Savarin last week, demanding electoral reform and at the very least, cleaning of the voter’s list.

A number of people both in Antigua and Barbuda and in Dominica took umbrage to Browne’s stance on the matter, with some asking him to run his own country’s affairs.

On the weekend, however, he explained that any economic stability in Dominica is a concern for Antigua.

Browne says as it stands, about 15 per cent of the people living in Antigua and Barbuda are Dominicans.

He insists that his statements should not be seen as a form of intervention in Dominica’s affairs.

“The statement does not in any way support the existing government or the opposition. What we are saying to the Dominican people, notwithstanding your difficulties, no matter the justification, burning the country to the ground is not the answer,” he said.

He said when Dominica is displaced, most people come to Antigua and Barbuda.

“That has been the precedent, whenever there is any crisis in Dominica they come to Antigua,” he said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

42 Comments

  1. November 27, 2019

    This shrewd Antiguan Gaston Brown continues to take advantage of the people of Dominica at home and in his country. His economy is good. He has great infracture; first class internationa airport.
    He is stealing Dominica’s money. Friends with benefits. I hope the $40,000,000 for LIAT did not come from Dominica.
    We were ounce smart people with love and respect for each other . What has happened??Greed;selfishesness and amnesia.

  2. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 27, 2019

    Gaston, I told you in the past you need to shut your hypocritical disgusting lying mouth, and stop interfering in the business of Dominica.

    As far as I personally know you are as corrupt as Roosevelt Skerrit; you are not on the good side of the majority of Antiguan’s; they complain about your corruption!

    And here is one act of corruption Antiguan’s are talking about:While you are dipping in our business; Antiguan are complaining about the sale of their country by you to the highest Chines bidder; they argue as long as you are paid, be it above or under the table you allow the Chines to take Antigua away from the natives.

    They complain their are more Chines working in Antigua than the natives.Thee complain you sold Barbuda the highest  Chines bidder after hurricane Maria, prior to that land were not sold in Barbuda.

    In the 1970’s when I was a boy I knew a Gaston Brown politician, he was nasty, you must be his junior!

  3. Mexican
    November 27, 2019

    For over 10 years the OPPOSITION groups in D/ca have been CRYING for electoral REFORMS. They have cried their cause to all these so call Caribbean brothers. They all chose to remain MALICIOUSLY silent.
    Now, here comes Mr. Gaston ‘Moustache’ Browne cackling like a frightened fowl. He waited for the elections date to be announced, then jumps on the CRIMINAL bandwagon to justify a RIGGED elections.
    In the meanwhile Antigua has had their own reforms including re-registration and voter id cards. So it good for them and it bad for us. These are the same idiots that saying international airport bad for D/ca too

  4. Efficacious
    November 26, 2019

    Calypsonians send powerful messages, working with their eyes closed. When you look through the comments they read, we are Dominicans so, no rules and laws for us. We take, we do and we go. We all need a bit support and advise sometimes, because we learn from each other. Mr.Browne was not interfering, it was a little of support from a friend to a friend. With new technology at its best, I am convinced Mr. Browne will be able to trace you all one by one. Lack of manners and respect. Thank you Mr.Browne,you are a friend.

  5. November 26, 2019

    To those of you who are saying that request electoral reform, was not made just two weeks ago, blah, blah, blah, have you all forgotten to notice the way of the party who called for election reform?

    Well, I have. And for each of the times that UWP has come up with the subject, it always brings with it disrespect and rude commands, like a group that was born without class and decency.

    What was the reason for the UWP to use their “no reform no election” saga and as soon as the date of the election was called they decide to contest it?

    Did they realize that their rude threat did not work? Did Linton realize that his weak and rude threat would simply put PM Skerrit back on the Prime Minister’s seat, which he claimed he did not want to serve him that seat on a “platter”

    Well, platter or not PM Skerrit will go back to his seat as the Prime Minister of Dominica because that seat does not belong to Lennox Linton; not ever! That is by God’s Will.

  6. Birds of a Feather
    November 25, 2019

    His face says it all. He sure is one of the worse the Caribbean has ever seen, although he and Skerrit competing for most corrupt leader. But at this time it is fair to conclude that one is the captain and the other is vice captain of the corrupt leaders of the Caribbean. They are so evenly matched that both might be captains.

  7. Reallyyyyyyy
    November 25, 2019

    Leave pm brown alone aka world boss the man is a major Caribbean figure an he has the right to Express his opinion on any subject pertaining to Caribbean politics an even the world by extension so ah u them power hungry uwp ppl stop allu noise cuz ah u sound very disgusting

  8. Wicked Gaston wicked
    November 25, 2019

    Antiguans cannot vote without their voter ID though.

  9. Legion
    November 25, 2019

    Gaston, stay in your lane …

  10. En Ba La
    November 25, 2019

    Those calling for ID cards – students use your student ID cards, DOMINICA SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS – (working people), Birth ceritificates THE PEOPLE who will claim your grandfather does not have passport. YOUR PASSPORTS(we all travel), YOUR DRIVERS LISCENSE. GO VOTE – DID THE OAS see this as an option.

    The UWP they are just not prepared and are unable to win and they are growing frustrated – this the OAS needs to see.

    OECS STOP being reactionary. This leadership style has taken down and has made many a MIGHTY NATIONS WEAK – without their KNOWLEDGE like TODAY. NATIONAL SECURITY CRISIS and the US AND OAS IS BUSY MINDING AND CREATING CHAOS IN DOMINICA.

    TECHNOLOGY HAS CAUSED THE DOWNFALL OF THE UNITED STATES TODAY NO ONE KNOWS.

  11. Ibo France
    November 25, 2019

    I’m so incensed about this man’s comments about too late to implement electoral reforms.
    The Commonwealth, the OAS have called for Electoral Reforms after the 2009and 2014 general elections in Dominica.
    There goes your flimsy, phony, too late excuse of your support for corrupt practices.

    • par Malay
      November 26, 2019

      a thief will always find a way to make another thief look like a saint. Both these setling as. PM’s should be JAILED

  12. Ibo France
    November 25, 2019

    Gaston Browne’s insistence that his statement should not be construed as an intervention in Dominica’s internal affairs is because he is acutely aware of it. Why do we have so many lying, corrupt and bad leaders in the Caribbean at present? We need a new breed of honest, caring and visionary leaders to replace these lacklustre , unscrupulous, hypocritical morons that we have at present.

    • Royal
      November 25, 2019

      What a question. How practical is election reform near the dec 6 election?

      Pm you letting the Antigua pm speak for you? Think. Ask. Talk to your people. Educate them we with you. One love and peace.

  13. Ibo France
    November 25, 2019

    I’ve lost all respect for Gaston Bowen and every other CARICOM leader. They are members of an elite social club and give succour to one another in all their wrongdoings. Gaston Browne, you are feigning ignorance when you are fully cognizant of the fact that this burning issue of electoral reforms, in Dominica, is over a decade old. He ( Gaston Browne) too has chosen his wife to contest the next general election in Antigua & Barbuda. I guess it was him who advised Skerrit to do the same with grossly unqualified Melissa. Instead of these leaders stand up for the down trodden masses they have each other’s back . They do not engage in good governance practices. No wonder most of these countries suffer from high indebtedness, high unemployment, high corruption, high vagrancy and widespread hopelessness. Dominica is by light years the highest in all these dubious distinctions. Gaston, go to hell!

  14. TJ
    November 25, 2019

    Yes Mr. Browne you interfering. Why didn’t you inquire of the length of time the people are asking Mr Skerrit to remove my dead grandfather name off the voter’s list. Pay attention to your own business.

  15. Smdh
    November 25, 2019

    Mr. Browne, the mere fact that you say that your statement shouldn’t be seen as intervention in Dominican issues says that you know it could be seen that way. Therefore, it would have been best to avoid such issue and stay in your lane.

    The reporting of Mr. Browne’s statement doesn’t say whether he acknowledges the fact that those asking for reform are asking for the elections to be postponed and are not asking for reform before December 6th. If the reporting is accurate it shows that he is unaware as to what the people are asking for. If one is ignorant time the facts it’s in their own best interest to keep quiet. Elections are to be held a maximum 90 days following the dissolution of parliament. There is still enough time to implement something before that time expires or allow enough discussion on the matter.

  16. foreign observer
    November 25, 2019

    Antigua is a member of the OAS, Commonwealth and CARICOM. So it is difficult for me to believe that Gaston Browne was/is completely unaware of the Joint Special Mission to Dominica conducted in August 2019, at the invitation of the Government of Dominica. Equally difficult to believe that he was/is completely unaware of the outright rejection of the Mission’s recommendations by the government following the issuance of their report in September. Yet, he remained silent through all of the above and chooses now to comment about the impracticality of election reform??!!

    In the face of the above, his current statements can hardly be seen to be neutral and in support of free and fair elections. And his silence on no OAS Observer Mission is deafening, too.

    • Ibo France
      November 25, 2019

      Well said Foreign Observer, well said. All of the leaders of CARICOM main aim is to hog power and rust in government even by using illicit means. They see politics as an easy avenue to opulence. They get in, taste the ambience of the office, and even when they become unpopular, they use all means necessary even if fraudulent to hang on to power. Gaston Browne and all the other prime ministers of CARICOM and more particularly the OECS are complicit in the full scale corruption happening in Dominica. This ear shattering silence is unacceptably debilitating.

  17. REAL!!!!
    November 25, 2019

    Mr. Brown the election is constitutionally due till May 2020.. Therefore explain which law will be broken if the date is pushed back to allow electoral reform before May 2020.

    To this hypocritical leader Mr. Brown who heads CARICOM….I will say again the vote ID cards and cleaning for the voters list in Antigua is the ONLY reason you are in power today.

    All we asking for is our Voter ID card and Cleaning the voters list.

  18. zandoli
    November 25, 2019

    To Mr. Browne,
    If your intention is not to interfere, why are you commenting on the matter. You seem to forget, the matter of electoral reform is not new. The opposition has been clamouring for this for many years. The DLP has been dragging their feet because they know it is not to their advantage to implement reform.

  19. Dominican
    November 25, 2019

    So what else is it if it is not interference/intervention? “He insists that his statements should not be seen as a form of intervention in Dominica’s affairs.”
    STOP IT!!!

  20. Amino
    November 25, 2019

    Who’s payroll is he on I wonder?

  21. November 25, 2019

    Go Dominica go get your electoral reform. It seems quite sure that without reform the electorate have no choice but to vote for Skerrit.

  22. Original
    November 25, 2019

    The constitution also provides for the intervention of the president who at anytime could call parliament even as it has been dissolved, so saying election has to be in February is totally misguided information just to satisfy his point. You, mister Brown is as guilty as Skerrit, hence your stances in his defense. No matter how diplomatic you may seem, it is clearly a defense of Skerrit. Why are you OECS governments not interested in defending the people and the sovereignty along with the advancement of democracy in our societies. All those years electoral reform was not being established you sir never commented about it not even after the observer mission of August. You are all tainted, oppressors of the people. This definitely is not what the treaty of Basseterre establishes with the creation of the OECS grouping.

  23. Iamanidiot
    November 25, 2019

    I have no problem with anything the Honorable Gaston Brown says, “The Sky is pink?” oh it sure is. Cause Dominicans struggling in Dominica sir, we gonna flock to your country and take all your citizens jobs as we been doing for years . :lol: :lol:

    However, I am for Electoral reform, and of course, two weeks before December 2nd is impossible, improbably, impractical and all the other “imps”. BUT December 2nd did not just appear December 2nd, was once upon a time, 2 month away, and once upon a time is was 6 months away, and once upon a time is was 1 year away and once upon a time it was 2 years ago. And all that time the trumpets of Electoral Reform was being sounded. So let’s not pretend it’s 2 weeks ago that people started talking about Electoral Reform so I guess the new story is “Yea we should get Electoral Reform but now it’s too late.”

    • My little take
      November 25, 2019

      Wow Gaston Brown loves Dominica more than Antigua man? Or really does he have a special interest in Dominica and he and some caricom heads feel Rioosevelt Skerit is the best person is the best politician to guard their interests? Or does he and others feel that if uwp wins the next election there will be a massive investigation and something’s about the state of their secret? Well the truth is Skerrit is the best person for Gaston Brown and the gang but definitely the worse one for Dominica.

  24. DAPossieMasse
    November 25, 2019

    F-off… you darn passport collaborating clepto. If Skeritt is gone, it could highlight the passport selling scam of which you have been a part of, as broadcasted on CBS’s 60 Minutes.

    First-off all, as intended to indicated in the first line. Skeritt must go, and when the Linton administration begins to investigate, your role in selling Antiguan passport will be brought to the public, even worst that aired in 60 Minutes. Bastard!.

  25. Mark
    November 25, 2019

    Mr. Browne I think you know a thing or two about corruption and turning the other way. Say hello the Byrds for me.

    Say something say nothing Mr. Brown..

  26. Frank N Stein
    November 25, 2019

    Gass Light you have guts. Al Jazeera will fix ou up later

  27. Rany Felix
    November 25, 2019

    I agree with PM Browne that burning down the country is not the answer. Of Course not!! But he must not behave as if the call for electoral reform in D/ca suddenly dropped from the sky after the dissolution of the House earlier this month. But then again, PM Browne heard about D/ca’s electoral reform concern for very first time only in the last couple weeks!!! And oh, how convenient it is for him to have forgotten that while in opposition, some level of electoral reform was the best thing for Antigua and Barbudain. Politicians never cease to amaze me!

  28. Jonathan Y St Jean
    November 25, 2019

    Since when is Gaston Brown a Dominican? The OECS leadership called on the USA and others, including Canada to keep their noses out of Venezuela’s internal affairs, yet he feels he should give a legal opinion on an internal matter pertaining to Dominica. Well Gaston, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Also, there is legal precedent for the courts intervening in constitutional matters to do with elections in the Caribbean. Go to hell Gaston and stay in your lane. Dominica is not Antigua

    • Channel 1
      November 25, 2019

      @Jonathan Y St Jean – When you see these politicians utter their garbage about staying out of the internal affairs of other countries, most of dem lie and are not genuine. They just utter these words as smokescreen. They are all involved – the preferred method is to interfere quietly using subtle strategies.

      There appears to be a block of leaders in the Caribbean who are clandestinely trying to move CARICOM towards a leftist/socialist/communist pathway.

      Unfortunately, many Caribbean nationals seem oblivious to this possibilities.

      The rise of Lennox Linton & this Dominica situation may well be the thing to jam up and mash up these guys potential leftist aspirations for the region. There has to be a reason why Ralph Gonsalves, Gaston Browne etc are suddenly coming out of the woodwork and firing subtle darts at Lennox & Dominicans who are standing up for electoral reform.

      Stay tuned…

  29. jamie
    November 25, 2019

    Browne you need to keep your nose out our business and shut the hell up.You are as corrupt as Skerrit,am sure you get your cut,from the sales of our passport.

  30. My mouth
    November 25, 2019

    U said it right sir.

  31. Dr Clayton Shillingford
    November 25, 2019

    Gaston Browne, the Chairman of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States and Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, is questioning the practicality of implementing electoral reform in Dominica, just two weeks before the December 06th general elections.
    Although Browne claims that the issue of electoral reform in Dominica is for the internal political parties to resolve, he nonetheless voiced his opinion on the matter. HE QUESTIONS the practicality of reform in two weeks of a matter that has been debated for years..and could have been dealt with a longtime ago except that the DLP will not act because according to Tony Astaphan reform will tarnish the Skerrit legacy..

    Gaston Brown is talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time

    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      November 25, 2019

      Your point of view is a good one. It was two election cycles age that the report from the OAS and Caricom observer missions recommended electoral reforms because the election then was deemed free but not fair. This means that Skerritt has had at least 10 years to put the recommendations into effect. For Gaston to now come talking about there not being enough time, is wicked and hypocritical. I’m sure he has a copy of the reports and should stop talking his corrupt garbage.

  32. Kris G
    November 25, 2019

    Is that the same Gaston Brown that increased his customs security because of so called riot in Dominica by protestors for reform? The same GB that asked voters in Antigua to pick up their cards so he could win the elections? Man stay out of people business…All of you all are the same?

  33. LifeandDeath
    November 25, 2019

    lol..Gaston is the BEST!!!..He speaks as if the request was first made 2 weeks ago. Is he aware that it’s still 6 months before elections are constitutionally due?..

    Anyhow Gaston, talk your talk. Get ready to embrace Lennox and Team DA on Dec.7th!!

  34. Views Exposed
    November 25, 2019

    Typical of the UWP, Universal Worthless People. Linton how can you condon the behavior of your loyalists in NY? Why so much vile and hatred from you and your supporters. We don’t have to agree with each other, but each’s existence should be tolerated. You hate the very air that Vince and Skerrit breaths. Listening to you and your candidates in Wesley was sickening and chilling to my guts.
    Mr. Gaston has clearly stated that he will welcome you as the new PM of Dominica, but you and your supporters still have to bash the Antiguan PM. How quick do you LL forget, since you were once a resident of Antigua. Who are your friends and allies! Not even the Workers Parties in the neighboring islands are coming to your defense, WHY? Vince survived your orchestrated attack, but our revenge will take place in the ballot boxes.

  35. %
    November 25, 2019

    Stop getting involved in our local politics, because you Gaston are riling a lot of Dominicans that have been clamouring, hollering and advocating for electoral reform for about 10 years now. You Gaston Brown got reform in Antigua..Stop treating us as fools? We are clever people too. Election is constitutionally due at leadt by the first quarter of 2020. There is enough time to clean the bloated list and issue voter ID card..
    What about the 1300 objections..Should this not be addresses before election????
    Dominicans should keep protesting for reform!!!
    It’s ours, we need it!
    Skerrit
    Whey is di money?
    Whey is di money?
    Whey is di money?

  36. dee
    November 25, 2019

    Man Gaston
    What you are failing to acknowledge, it is not only now Dominicans have been calling for reform , ID cards and the cleansing of the voters list, that call has been going on for almost a year now , all efforts of facilitating this have been defeated by one man . Now he has declared a date for election , some are trying to claim there isn’t ample time for reform before election . BS

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available