Despite fierce disapproval from the opposition, government is making good its promise to have national multi purpose ID cards available to all Dominicans.
Chief Elections Officer Stephen LaRocque, said cards will be introduced on the island later this year.
“We should start issuing cards by October of this year,” LaRocque told state-owned DBS Radio on Friday.
The matter has been one of long running contention between the government and the opposition United Workers Party (UWP).
The UWP is adamant that voter ID cards are necessary since it was recommended both by the Chief Elections Officer in a report in 2009 and an OAS observer mission to Dominica.
Furthermore, according to the party, voter ID cards will help “clean up the voter’s list” and make “voters of this country independent.”
But according to LaRocque, the new cards will be for more than just voting. “It’s not only to use for voting, it can also be used to access government services because the government is also doing the health system, putting things in electronically, so when you have this card you can also access the government health services,” he said.
LaRocque stated that the Dominica’s laws specify that some form of identification is needed when voting, “so the commission has decided that this card meets the requirement for identification purposes hence it can be used for voting.”
“Once you are a registered elector, a voter registration number will be inserted on that card,” he said.
He pointed out that the introduction of the cards is in keeping with a project approved by the World Bank for Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the island contributing US $785, 000 to have it implemented.
LaRocque stated that based on cost, a multi-purpose card is the way to go. “We have had interaction with different companies in terms of the cost which has been presented to the government by different chiefs,” he remarked. “When you look at the cost and you are getting this thing at a more reasonable cost the commission decided it doesn’t matter what you call it, once it meets the requirements of the law to identify you, it is okay with the commission.”
At a Labour Party rally on March 12, Health Minister, Julius Timothy, revealed that 100,000 multi-purpose ID cards could be made available to Dominicans by the end of 2013.
twhat stupid thig that n
I am going to take a chance and guess that Dominica does not have anywhere in the proximity of to 100,000 illegible voters. The total population is around 70,000 and even if you take that many out of 100,000, you are still left with…let’s see…1+1 = 2, about 30,000. When math does not add up, really bad things happen. The world, their bank and nwo are gobbling up every single natural resource remaining on this earth. It feels good to be a part of things, doesn’t it, Dominica? Be careful what you ask for. Welcome to H&ll!!
Waste of money, why all you afraid of the voters id card come trying to fool people with that none sense if you are so loved like you think why not have a free and fair election???
Don’t u know what a national ID card is? What it will/can be used for? Silly ppl! For once look at the big picture!
Hope this card not pink like in de picture. Pink is the universal colour of the gay movement
This national ID card does not separate a legitimate voter from an illegitimate voter. Any one can come to DA, get a card and come back and vote. This is WRONG!
You must be a registered voter appearing on a constituency voting list before you are allowed to vote. Each candidate has an agent at the polling station. If he/she can’t oppose a questionable voter, at least, he/she is allowed to take notes.(eg. Jane Doe voted at the Mahaut govt. school at 9:40 AM. She is on the list but does not reside in Mahaut. Did she vote somewhere else? OR: She is not on the list but the presiding officer let her vote despite my objection). That’s the kind of documentation we need; not hearsay about how many planes landed at Melville Hall.
We need national ID cards!
any persons that come down from another country just to vote, or visitors to our island like the Chinese, Haitian, or the dominican republican, we should ambush them enough is enough, all this nonsense must not cotinue
I think ONLY Dominican Citizens should vote. If a person is NOT a Citizen of Dominica that person should, in no way, shape, or form, be allowed to vote.
To avoid CONFUSION, the ID cards should be issued ONLY to DOMINICAN CITIZENS, otherwise it will be INVALID and USELESS.
The national ID cards will only be issued to Dominican nationals……. Y do u think it is called national ID card?
All over the world citizens are demonstrating, protesting, advocating consistently for Free and fair elections where those are held. In countries with dictatorship rule, citizens are struggling for the right to freely vote the persons of their choice. Sometimes no voting. Many times bogus elections. Irregularities for so. Fraud. Cheating. Stealing of elections just to grab the power to continue to rule, irrespective of the plight of the people, whose standards of living go down, down, down.
Things must be put in place to prevent stealing of any elections in Dominica. Serious reforms of the election process is necessary.
The Chief Elections Officer forgot that the recommendations in the 2009 report, of that last election, specifies Voter ID cards and cleaning of the bloated, “dirty”, Voters’ List? Is he now going against the said report or singing from the same hymn sheet of those reluctant to implement Electoral reform?
Making things better is good for all of us. Authorities must stop the influence, control, manipulation of our “independent” institutions.
Dominicans just read again the excuses, by no other person than the Chief Elections Officer, for National ID cards, as opposed to Voter ID cards recommended by the Electoral Commision, OAS, CARICOM and accepted by Dominicans. A few have other plans, it seems. Read through the lines. Open your eyes and ears.
People all over the world fighting for better election processes and to live a real democratic way of life. But in Dominica, nothing is wrong, with anything wrong. Is so we come?
Population control is real people! Its happening all over the world. No where is safe… Why should the government have access to your personal data? The day will come when the ruling party WILL refuse access to certain services for people who voted from the opposition… How will they know who you voted for?… By the data stored on your voting I.D card. SO, one day if you cant get a job, cant get a doctors appointment, cant get treatment… ask yourself whether you voted for the ruling power of the day.
The Government already have our information. Our date of birth is the primary. I just read that 100,000 ID cards will be issued by years’ end. I did not know Dominica had that many CITIZENS. I hope the Government is NOT about to issue ID cards to NON-CITIZENS, just for the sake of voting. This would be UNETHICAL.
A population of 65-72,000 people why do we need 100,000 multi purpose ID cards? something is not adding up if the Country don’t have money why pay the cost for up to 30-35,000 cards.
So because a Dominican lives in the foreign for over 5 years he/she is no more considered as a Doinican and should not allow to vote? Is that the way some want to take away ones democratic right?Well Dominica is the place of my birth,Ive the right like anyone(Dominican).No body go run me.Since Im registered I will vote….Government should introduce “Absentte Ballots Voting”for Dominicans all over the World.
Is the Electoral Commission “Independent. Mr. Larocque?” You should be asked to answer to the Dominican people for reneging on the former specific recommendations of that same Commission. You forget already Mr. LaRocque.? Check the files, 2009 report as it relates to electoral reforms, i.e. Providing VOTER ID CARDS and to CLEAN UP the bloated Voters’ List, to ensure free and fair elections in Dominica.
The Civil Servant is parroting the very same things of his Bosses. But people’s cries are cast aside. It was Govt. which, after all those years of pleading, after parliament itself discussed and agreed to the Commission’s request, have not given the Commission the money to produce Voter ID cards, as requested. The Commission felt at the time that Voter ID Cards and cleaning of the bloated Voters’ list would help ensure free and fair elections. What reluctance to introduce electoral reforms.
Babbling on and on. Unconvincing, Do we use Social security or Drivers’ license or passport or other National ID cards for identification purposes, Mr. LaRocque? Who say we could not use our Voter ID Cards for identification, apart from voting, Mr. LaRocque? Why the parroting, sir? Fear? Loyalty? Not seeing the problems that lie ahead? We all must do everything to prevent fraud in, stealing of, illegalities in our election process.
I’m a Dominican leaving in the USVI.I have a few questions.1.Where can i go to register/ sign up to recieve my National Identification card? 2.I last voted in 2009 am I still eligible to get a card? I have heard lots of talk about those of us living in ‘foreign’ not being able to register for our ID cards.3.Is that true? After all Mr.Laroque or some other official should give a little feed back on the concerns i;ve just raised.I’m looking forward to some more info on DNO.
My friend residing is the Virgin Islands,you must understand what is happening in your beautiful country these days. Whatever Skerrit wants Skerrit must get. Therefore,no World Bank,no Mr. Laroque, no Electoral Office,no OAS Mission, no Opposition can stop this man. Sometimes,I wonder if God himself can stop him.
Did u stop to think about your blog before u posted it? OMG! I can’t believe a Dominican would stoop so low and say such things. What’s wrong with some of our peopl. U guys make the PM sound like a monster and that is not true.
I hope opposition demand access to the data and are able t audit the registered voter list
Question I left Dominica 22 years ago and the last time I checked I am still a registered voter. Will I get an ID with voter eligibility
Technically by the laws of the land if you are out of island for a period of 5 years you are ineligible to vote… But that’s only a technicality since it’s not enforced.
IJS
yes once you return once within 5 years before the General Election.
So if you come now yes. Once you are registered then it is difficult to remove you from that list.
What Multi Purpose card we need in DA at this moment? We already have our passport, Social Security card drivers licence card, senior citizen cards to most shopping centers, just to name a few.
If the Opposition requested Voter’s ID card, if I was the Leader of the rulling party, I would only close my eyes and allow it to go through, or fund the Opposition Party with the cash for them to do and just monitor thier movement for any discreptancies Are you all telling us that it will cost less to print a multi purpose than to print a voter’s ID card, what is it they are not telling us?
I’m a strong supporter of the DLP. I’m awaiting for a response
Yes friend they are indeed telling you and all Dominican that it will cost less to fund the MPID than a single voter card because we are not doing it alone…it is called “economies of scale”…the other OECS countries in on this with us so them greedy foreign IT companies have no choice but to give us the system cheap…real cheap and will make more money afterwards on license costs…the new world order…
Sheep in wolf clothing!
I agree with you. We DO NOT need any multipurpose card, what we need is a VOTER REGISTRATION CARD. The card DO NOT have to show whom anyone is voting for because that is an individual decision. Did you know that your voter registration card can state DLP or UWP and at time of voting you can vote for whomever you want. My voter registration card has NO PARTY AFFILIATION, I vote for whomever I choose to vote for.
That’s a good thing i love it, but i hope u all will clean up de voters list to, i dont want my dead Grand Father in a Line voting again..
The problem with the card is that it will not clean the list of voters of people who have not visited Dominica in the last five years preceding the general elections. These people who do not live in Dominica and have been away for umpteen years will be allowed to vote contrary to the law of the land because they will have heir national ID card. What the Electoral Commission should seek to do is to clean the electoral list and then issue the cards. That Commission does not impress as being truly independent and wanting to clean the voter list, which has a total number of voters almost equivalent to the total population of the country!
I have said it on several occasions, Skerrit always get what Skerrit wants regardless.The OAS Observers made recommendations for Voters I.D. cards, Skerrit has refused. The Electoral Office has also recommended I. D. cards for voting,Skerrit has refused. The UWP opposition which represents approximately twelve thousand voters according to the last general elections has asked for I.D. cards for voting,Skerrit has refused.When members of the OAS Observation Mission presented their report that the 2009 elections were fair,Skerrit Labor Government took that report and had a band mas. The same Observers made recomendations for Voters I.D. Cards and according to Tim Tim,”where all you going with that”.Is Dominica bordering on the dictatorial line or have we already gone over the line.
Mr. Chief Election Officer is that the card that was requested by the former chief. You all acting like some bumping balls. Just cannot man up to Lord Supremo.
I am a bit confused here “Despite fierce disapproval from the opposition” yet “The UWP is adamant that voter ID cards are necessary”. Who really was/is against having the national ID cards?
I have no idea, but I think a VOTER’S REGISTRATION CARD is necessary.
According to Mr Larocque who stated to DNO, that “He pointed out that the introduction of the cards is in keeping with a project approved by the World Bank for Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the island contributing US$785,000 to have it implemented”. Well Mr Laroque, if that is the case then Grenada has implemented a Voters ID Card and not a National ID Card so we should do the same.
The Grenada Parliamentary Election’s Office which is equivalent to Dominica’s Electoral Office performs similar functions. In Grenada the Parliamentary Office has the responsibility to issue Voters ID Cards and not National ID Cards, which they have done. Here is the link for the Grenada Parliamentary Office for your perusal
http://www.gov.gd/departments/parliamentary_election_office.html
If Dominica is going to implement a National ID Card program then it is not in keeping with the World Bank’s project because the Electoral Office is responsible by Law to issue a Voters ID Cards and not a National ID card as was the case of Grenada. Dominicans have an obligation to inform the World Bank to know what is happening in Dominica with this project as the monies was given or loaned on our behalf.
I hope this new system will enable Dominican Nationals who are qualified to vote, to register and search for voters online. Also the voters list will be made available to the candidate electronically. A complete registration and the cleaning of the voters registration list must be part of the whole project NOT JUST A VOTERS’ ID CARD.
The places you mentioned already had national identification cards.I know because my wife is St.Lucian.By the way i’m from Colihaut.And i’m proud to be Dominican.
When you research, you should do a complete search. Grenada IS implementing the MPID as will St Lucia and St. Vincent.
http://www.oecs.org/egrip-news/723-multi-purpose-identification-mpid-system-launched-in-grenada
http://www.gov.gd/egov/news/2013/jan13/25_01_13/item_2/grenada_host_regional_workshop_mpid.html
Well then if its national ID cards why isn’t it coming from the government? Why is it coming from the electoral commission ?
Am I the only one puzzled?
But is Government that paying for it. It does not matter who implements it. Why can’t we understand the simple things in life. Electoral Commission did not just get money just like that to have this system.
i hope its not just for election only,but to put shop keepers alert and lazy police men that eating tax payers money to work
so true
i think that’s wonderful…now when under age drinkers come into people shops… they can ask for ID…and enforce the laws on other things…put the police to work now
Might reduce some teen drinking…and other things
Cigarette too..show your ID to purchase it!Those found violating the Law must be charged.
I hope the opposition can see the benefits too.
Keep dreaming. that will never change in dominica
Voting is the most important right given to a citizen. There are legal qualification for voting so I hope the Electoral office is doing what they are paid for. They must ensure that only those who are qualify to vote, vote in our elections.
The new multipurpose card should help to verify that only persons registered to vote according to the laws of the land will vote in any election whether village council,urban council, bye election, or general election.
Best comment here. At least you see the bug picture.
I really dont understand what is happening in D’ca I remembered in 2009 the chief Election Officer and an OAS observer mission to D’ica said we need to inplement voters ID CARDS which would help to clean up the voters list now LaRocque without any back bone is telling us in keeping with a project approved by the WORLD BANK OF Dominica, St.Lucia, Grenada, and St.Vincent and the Grendines with the Island contributing US785 dollars instead they a implementing National ID Card who are we following and what was the reason for bring the team to Dica to monitor the election again the PM gets his away like it or not .
This is not a Party thing it’s our survival how can one person do as he wants and the people refuse to take action I just can’t understand it.
Let’s just hope it will be transparent and we don’t have to see any fraudulent activity, like there has been with our passports
That is Dominica’s problem, people just sit there and hope. When will you stop hoping and do the right thing.
How can you issue 100,000 cards in a population of 67000? This is not right!! It does not have to take a retarded to see through this.
Voters ID card should remain voters ID card. To access other government services your social security card should do. Thats a National ID card. Every Dominican entitle to s social Security card.
Come on guys, be fair and dont make this sound so difficult or expensive to do. Stop making excuses to cheat an election.
VOTERS ID cards were recommended by OAS observers and the Chief Election Officers NOT national ID card. The reason for that is to reduce the chance of cheating. Why insist on doing something that you know is WRONG?
I would stand with the opposition on this one..NO elections withouts Voters ID cards.
National ID we have the passport , Social security card and Drivers Licence; We need Voters ID card!
If national ID is so good then make it replace Social Security card, replace the Drives Licences and use it for traveling in the region.
Passports: Only a few Dominicans have them and that’s a fact.
Drivers license: Issued after a skills and verbal competency test. Only a few Dominicans have one and children are excluded.
Social Security Cards: Only issued to contributors to the Social Security program. Children are excluded. It’s not like in the USA where everyone has / or should have a SS card.
National ID Card: Everyone should have one. Photo should be affixed and should have electronic magnetic strip for security.
If it identifies the holder, why is it not good for voting? Why can’t a party central committee or national committee or executive committee double check the voters registration list for each constituency for duplication, dead people and party affiliate omissions and make recommendations to the Electoral Commission long before any election. That would be more solid evidence for a court challenge, instead of baseless accusations.
Apparently you and all the other people commenting negatively here didn’t listen to the hour long program 2 Thursday’s ago on DBS when larocque spoke for over an hour where this “interview” took place. One media house (DBS) decided to publish just a short piece of the discussion (less than 2 minutes) and the Dominican media as usual write only sensational stories without doing their homework. That’s exactly why the electoral commission not giving the persons that need the information (Dominican public) too much information one time.
Bet this comment will be edited.
Why 100,000 cards when our population is between 70,000 to 80,000 people?
Ok,the heading of the xard should be identification cars,if u r not a drived.and id u r a drivef,it should say,drivers license.and both these cards should have a picture,your date of birth,your addresse, date issued,and expiration date.and drivers licence should cost at least $15 dollars.should be like a credit card.can get wet,n dont get cought friving witjout it.
Finally!…it was about time we got ID cards.
Just do it
Boy look comess. Is Mr. Laroque being naive or is he just missing the point? A voters I’d card is much more than a card with a voters registration #. Come on. Dominica needs to get real. These are the reasons why investors pass Dominica straight. Because they see that we are always doing things the wrong way.
Opposition, you guys oppose every thing, can’t you see that ID card is better? I voting DLP next election.Stop having that hate & anger, grow up man.
We oppose every thing because your useless government is selling us out, just like some of our forefathers who sold us for trinkets, Jah come help a falling race, please!!!!
sot
Does this card clean up voters list? does it remove the dead people thats been there for years?can it identify the people that living abroad for more than 5 years?
the labour party claims that they are the strongest party ok thats you’ll opinion fine meet the oposition partys on a level playing field and clean up the voters list lets see how strong you are.
They will never do that because they know that the day they leave office is Stock Farm they going or exile with all their cash in off shore banks. These people know that they cannot afford to loose and everybody knows they done have their plan fiddle their victory, to be their for as long as it takes you think is money alone they getting from china.
I’ve seen the future and it goes like this, Labour wins by 20 seats to 1, skerrit goes to Parliament and changes the constitution, crowns himself President for life and moves into his malice and becomes the Caribbean’s Mugabe.
So true, so true. If the labour party is soooo strong and well loved by everyone , why do they have to go out of their way and bend every rule to win. It always puzzles me.
Dem man victory is guaranteed only by shipping in thousands of non-residents to vote.