Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Lennox Linton and Senior Pastor Randy Rodney are among many citizens who have expressed concerns about criticisms of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which has accused the country’s highest of making “gratuitous commentary on political affairs” which has caused “unnecessary discord in Dominica”.
In the wake of Dominica’s last general election held on December 9, 2019, in which the UWP lost by an 18-3 margin to the incumbent Dominica Labour Party (DLP) government, ten election petitions were filed at the High Court claiming that the elections were conducted in a manner contrary to established electoral laws and regulations and that in ten constituencies, the candidates declared to be the winners had not been validly elected.
The CCJ in its ruling on July 6, 2022, agreed with the Court of Appeal that the Petitioners who challenged the results of the last General Elections by way of election petitions, had no right to appeal the decision of the High Court judge to strike out their petitions.
This was the third attempt by the United Workers Party (UWP) to adjudicate claims that Dominica’s 2019 election was invalid.
With this being the second matter to come before the CCJ in less than two years regarding the conduct of elections in Dominica, the apex court offered guidance on the way forward for “free and fair elections” in Dominica.
These statements were not to the liking of the Attorney General’s Office, as this week, the chambers issued a statement, expressing “disappointment and concern regarding certain gratuitous comments” they claimed were recently made by the CCJ.
“In making those remarks, the CCJ departed from the sensible, time-honoured practice of not commenting on matters it was not called upon to decide. Furthermore, the so-called “taints” over which the Court expressed “grave concern” are nothing but bare allegations on which no findings have been made by any court of law,” part of the statement which was issued on Monday said.
Linton in response labelled the government’s statement as “reprehensibly dishonest and unbecoming of a government sworn to serve the public interest” as well as a “vicious attack on the CCJ for stating plain truth and offering honest advice.”
The statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers avers that the taints are allegations on which no findings have been made by any court of law. We disagree. The taints, even though inquiry into their impact on free and fair elections have been stifled by judicial discretion, are well known to the court,” he argued.
Some “taints” he points out which the CCJ has observed were the using of the wrong list for the 2019 election; the alleged bribing of thousands of Dominicans resident overseas to vote in the 2019 elections; the treating of thousands of Dominicans to free concerts with high priced international artistes “to corruptly influence their votes” as well as the denying the opposition access to state-owned DBS radio.
“This preoccupation of Justice Glasgow with the impact of illegalities and irregularities on the outcome of the election with no interest whatsoever in their impact on the process emerged as a serious concern for the justices of the CCJ,” Linton said.
He further added, “The CCJ entitled Justice Glasgow to the presumption of judicial competence but raised issues of gross substantive incompetence, or clear miscarriages of justice and the likelihood that egregious judicial errors, patent on the face of the record, were such as to result in a striking out of what is objectively and reasonably an arguable election petition”.
The member of parliament noted that in paragraph 27 of their ruling, the CCJ appears concerned about compliance with the generally accepted expectations for judicial conduct in applications to strike out election petitions.
“Notwithstanding the legal technicality of jurisdiction on which the appellate court ruled, the CCJ saw enough to ground the suggestions of the CCJ President that there are problems with the electoral process in Dominica which require urgent remedial attention,” he stated.
The leader of the UWP has since urged the Government to refrain from its “unwarranted attacks on the Caribbean Court of Justice and focus its efforts on comprehensive electoral reform to ensure that future elections in Dominica will not be tainted by illegalities, irregularities, corruption, and electoral misconduct.
Pastor Randy Rodney, for his part, believes that the Attorney General’s Office’s treatment of the matter is political.
He references the part of the statement which says, “the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica is obliged to express its disappointment and concern regarding certain gratuitous comments recently made by the Caribbean Court of Justice in its written judgement,” and points out, “As the AG, you are writing on my behalf sir…if you say that the comments of the CCJ [weren’t] without good reason, you can say that for yourself because the rest of your letter, the very next paragraph, begins to talk about the DLP and the only people you put blame on was the UWP because they took issue with the elections.”
Rodney goes on to argue that there were issues with the previous general elections and expressed delight that “somebody had the courage to speak at the CJJ level.”
“It means that the rest of us Dominicans must not lose hope,” the pastor stated.
The AG is a disgrace.
…and half of those DLP votes were cast by dead people. The air is getting thinner for the CM.
This reply was for that red nosed red a..d clown.
Did you exhume their grave, uncover their coffin, hold their dead hands and have them swing that pen up and down, Mr. Magician?
I doubt he did all of that resurrection. But it is very possible that people were voting on behalf of deceased individuals as well as people who have not lived in Dominica for decades are still present on the list.
When i voted, i didnt even present ID. I just told them my name after finding myself on the list. So why act like its impossible for operatives to identify a few vacant names and send their people to act as if they are the registered voter? Its as easy as pie to do.
In 2000 DLP got 4,296 more votes than they got in 1995,the lying Rattlesnake pastor never complained about plane loads upon plane loads and 8,000 diasporans.In 2019 when the DLP got only 222 more votes than they got in 2014,the lying Rattlesnake pastor talking about plane loads upon plane loads bringing in 8,000 diasporans voters to vote DLP.LIARS,LIARS,LIARS.So called pastor lying all the way to HELL.What the lying Rattlesnake pastor and the rest of the AHOLES in UWP should find out is why they lost 1,163 votes in the 2019 general election.And what they should do to prevent a 20-1 beating by DLP in the next election.The 2019 election observers said the election was free and fair and reflected the will of the people,and conducted according to the election law of Dominica.Next election DLP is going in with guns blazing according to law.
Birds of a feather “f**k” together I am talking about that
So-called” UWP useless workers party ” just do not know when to stop their bulls**t even that so-called preaching political sidewinder Preacher Man, is in the tent with ugly Lenny, king lier crap Rum shop talking, Very soon ugly Lenny, will be on your doorsteps and road begging for Money making you to believe it’s to fight for justice 🤣 but in reality it is to pay the Europeans back their money he selfishly took from them for Diplomat Passport , good luck Ugly Lenny, you and that political Preacher Man will always be sultsuckers.
Levi Peter is right,you cannot use a person previous conviction sheet against him before he is found guiltyAnd you cannot tell a person who is charged with theft about murder when you know you are going to DISMISS the theft charge.That is wrong in a court of law.It is like Beta,applied for a job in the Bank,before Beta is interviewed someone tell’s the manager Beta mother was a prostitute.Beta mother being a prostitute has nothing to do with the Bank.
IBO, whether it is losers or losers the main thing is you understand UWP are a bunch of failed politicians fit for the gabbage pail,just like their election petition.Kid did not make the English language,but he can master it enough to make you know you are the leading JACKA in the blue party.One cannot blame the Rattlesnake,when UWP was in power all the GOODIES was going his way.This guy is not a man of GOD,just remember the song” Doe play with the pastor rod”This song was made because of adultery ,jealousy and greed.
In 1995 DLP received 11,064 vote
In 2000 they received. 15,360 votes a difference of 4,296
In 2005 they received. 19,565 votes,a difference of 4,205
In 2009 they received 22,235 votes a difference of 2,670
In 2014 they received 23,421 votes a difference of 1,186 votes.The UWP and the cursed and tormented lying Rattlesnake pastor never complained about 8,000 and plane loads upon plaine loads of diaspora’s being paid to vote.But,in 2019 ,DLP got 23,643 votes a difference of 222,when the difference is less that is when those JACKA talking about 8,000 and plane loads upon loads.When DLP got an increase of 4,296. 4,205 and 2,670 they never complained about plane loads upon plane loads of diaspora’s.When DLP got 222 UWP complaining.As if 222 is a bigger plane load of diasporans than 4,296 or 4,205.An educated person does not mean that person is smart.The record show plane load upon plane load and 8,000 is a lie put forward by the blues and the Rattlesnake,tormented,cursed pastor
It seems strange and gratuitous that the UWP found 11 constituencies had issues but the three that they won did not have any issues. If the UWP believes that the elections were so tainted then maybe ALL constituencies should have a do-over? Linton sounds like Donald Trump: “If I win, all is good. If I lose, there was fraud”.
Your line of argument cannot stand up to critical scrutiny. Many of the seats in Dominica are marginal. It does not take much for either party to win because of the close margin in support for either candidate. Just pad them with a few hundred illegal voters.
Conversely, other candidates (from either side) have the overwhelming support of the electors in their constituencies. Hardly any amount of illegal padding can change the projected results. This is exactly what happened why the UWP won those three seats.
Honestly, with the amount of corruption and the multiple thousands of imported voters used to pad the constituencies in favour of the RLP, I am shocked that UWP was able to win three seats.
It’s quite apparent that you can only think superficially. This is typical of most of the supporters of the RLP.
Hellooooo
Are you aware that its ALLEGED the DLP actually agreed not tamper with the three seats the UWP won because they feared stealing would trigger unrest in the country? Are you also aware that wonder boy (Met Volaire) was the one pushing for all 21 seats to be taken so Lennox can be shamed into retirement? Although they did manipulate the results to show gains this was a calculated risk
. Cabal members were actually celebrating 18 to 3 seats before election day because its ALLEGED a select few were notified of the strategy and pending outcome one week before.
Dominicans like you continue to live in a fools paradise but nothing lasts forever and that too shall be exposed in the future. It’s only a matter of time before the roosters start singing before the coming dawn.
Don’t try and use your head on us, it’s just not big enough. Nice try of rhetoric and spin. The CM will forward an envelope with at least $20
Pastor Rodney, please make up your mind on whether you are a politician or a preacher. We all see what’s happening in America when politics and religion mix how divided people become. Religion suppose to unite people whereas politics by nature is divisive. If you consider yourself truly a man of god, forget politics and focus on the preaching the gospel. If you decide to take sides in the political arena you are dividing your flock and removing the focus of Christianity away from the teachings of the gospel from love and unity to hate and division. Linton is a politician who’s main path to power is to divide and conquer by what ever means but as a man of god people need to trust you. By leaning into politics you won’t get that trust.
Pastor Rodney is a fierce proponent of justice, fairness, honesty and does not compromise his integrity for anyone. The man cannot be bribed. He is a true and faithful messenger of the Messiah. He has an impeccably character. His reputation is as unblemished as Jesus’s police record. Long live the good pastor.
This is pure rubbish coming from you. Every UWP supporter has an impeccable and immaculate character. What a joke! These pastors are hypocrites, cheaters, pedophiles, tax evaders, money hungry, born-again Christians my foot.
These so-called born again Christians like Pastor Rodney all I can do is listen to them and their garbage sermons. They are the biggest adulterers, the biggest murderers, the biggest swindlers, the biggest cheaters. They take the congregations’ money and build houses, buy expensive cars, live extravagantly, and buy prostitutes. I remember one right here in America, he had a hit man to kill his wife at his house while he out there preaching the gospel in his church. He left in the middle of his sermon to go home and see whether the guy killed his wife. To his surprise the guy never did; he instead killed his wife and went back to church to continue his sermon. Now his a.s is in jail. Dem Pastors, boy. Be careful. They make a mockery of God and the bible.
Sue the CCJ for slander if you have a case Levi. Go on, I dare you.
I am right on your side Mr. Levi Peter. The last General Election was conducted fairly. Their were Caribbean observers at the Election polls and, they were all satisfied that the election was free and fair. I have no idea what the CCJ is talking about. Makes no sense. The UWP just cannot accept their loss and that is their biggest problem and their biggest downfall. We will do it again come 2025.. The DLP will win again, this time 21-0.
why is the DLP government so engaged in defense re CCJ ?? Is it not fact that they paid for people to come to vote in election etc???
Shut your trap Clayton, is it not a fact that UWP ” useless workers party”paid for their supporters to come in and Vote??? Man you have a damn nerve talking like that what about the land and money hand it back to the rightful owners, useless workers party supporters.
You are a disrespectful oaf. Get your facts right. The opposition has no money to pay people to come and vote for them since they not in charge of CBI money. But I know a man from another party who is in charge of CBI and had voters flown in. To top it all, he even managed to motivate dead people to vote for him. The man is magician, if nothing else.
@Marty, please, please, please Shut your back door you have no idea what I am talking about OK!!
I know you are a poto UWP and that is my answer.
Whilst I do not agree with the AG statements I would like to point out that Mr. Linton said “the opposition leader said the ruling is an indication that the judicial system is ill-equipped to deal with violations of the constitutional rule of law provisions for the electoral process that is supposed to guarantee free and fair elections.”
So why if the AG states something along those lines are you commenting. Can only the opposition not agree with the decison? Six of one half a dozen of the other.
If the CCJ judges speak in their favour they are right. If they speak not in their favour they are wrong are come under heavy criticism from this corrupt government. In order for Dominicans to finally rid themselves of these undesirables they will have to kick them out of office and out of Dominica. In case they require any guidance how to go about it… look to Sri Lanka. Show this corrupt CM and his cabal the red card and tell them to go.
Levi Peters you must put this in your pipe and smoke it. You Levi Peters is NOT the attorney general of the Dominica Labor Party. You are the attorney general of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The president and you are supposed to be neutral but unfortunately both of you (quiet as the former may seem to be) are pundits of the DLP. Levi Peters, please stop mixing matters. Be that man daddy (may the repose of his soul rest in peace) earnestly prayed for you to be. And yes, you do remember those prayers from that heavy brown case. Be truthful and just my brother and stop this politicking for Skerrit and his renegades (including you).
The previously submitted Election Reform Report was rejected by the very said Levi Peters. We saw the outcome with more planes at one time in Marigot than has ever been in any other Caribbean country including Barbados, and Jamaica with two airports.
Now another rejection, but this time it’s against the Court of last instance in the Caribbean. Mark my words, they are going to try even harder to delegitimize the CCJ. And watch out, Sir Dennis Byron is in for a beating; Tony or maybe a Lawrence has not yet found the best language to provide Levi with a prepared statement to attack Sir Byron.
These fellars have successfully dismantled all institutions of state in Dominica, they did it to CARICOM-COMMONWEALTH-OAS Special Mission report, and now they going to try to pull the same shenanigan on the CCJ.
REMEMBER THIS:
UPDATE: Government receives report from electoral reform mission; says it’s unacceptable. Dominica News Online – Thursday, September 26th, 2019 at 1:20 PM
The tongue lashing of the Attorney General is a good first step and he should be ashamed for not remaining silent and representing the country, those on the government side and those who oppose. However I’m also interested in the leadership and strategies which should be forming to remove this corrupt and entrenched cabal from the reigns of power in the country. Let’s savor the lifeline that the CCJ has handed out by shaming and naming the DLP for it’s illegal behavior. The CCJ cannot be the one to come to Dominca and change things for those who disapprove of the contaminated and illegal behavior of Skerritt and his goons. Let’s hope that the outlines of the strategies will be seen soon. Talking will only take us so far and no more.
Jah Kas, the USELESS WICKED PARTY is a Looser. It is a paty catching on to a straw. 38 court cases. All lost. As for Rodney, this guy is possessed. There’s a special place in HELL for both HE and Linton. You, Jah Kas, talking of KAMAR, ?!. Wait, just a matter of time you will see and hear plenty more later.
@KID
Foolish minds think foolish things. Fools wallow in foolishness. By the way, stop using LOOSERS when you really mean LOSERS.
Ibo MALAPROP France, just want to emphasize again.. This Useless Wicked Party is a Looooser.. You are in no position to dictate to me what I mean… Keep wallowing in your foolishness.
We know the petitions filed buy UWP was all lies.From 2000 to 2005 the UWP has been going to court on allegations,and that is supported by a cursed,tormented rattlesnake pastor.Lennox Linton and supporters of UWP,told the world the DLP had paid for tickets for over 8,000 from the diaspora to vote in the 2019 election.BIG LIE.The records show in 1995,11,069 voted DLP.In 2000,15,360 voted.In 2005,19,565.In 2009,22,235 voted.In 2019,23,421 voted.In 2019,23,643 voted.
No where is there a difference of 8,000 in favour of DLP since 1995.If 8,000 people,plane load upon plane voted,they did not vote DLP.neither did they vote UWP.The UWP has placed green sunshades on the JACKA head,all they see is dead dry grass green.Remember the Aljazeera money laundering and passport for sale report when Linton said Aljazeera was not investigating him?Up to now the green sunshade is still on the JACKA head.Petition thrown in the gabbage pail by high court,appeals court and CCJ.
What is truly amazing is my research has led me to the fact that Lin clown and Man bite dogs are both living in basements in the Bronx for the last twenty years and cannot visit back home, not even during elections where they can get a free ticket. These two behave as though they are living in Dominica suffering with the people while they are actually in America eating good. Yet they both have received a welfare apartment in Dominica which they cannot use because they cannot come home and go back.
SMH, just SMH. No wonder they are screaming so loudly.
Truth hurts, most particularly, LIARS! In this instance, the judges spoke the unadulterated truth that hasn’t found favour with the buffoons of this illegal, Mickey Mouse, cartoonishly laughable, ruling oligaarchy.
These guys remind me of owls, bats and mice. They are mortally afraid of light and only operate in the shadows.
If this regime want to be respected, they would have to operate under the midday sun. Sunlight is the best disinfection for corruption.
Nothing really hurts. It is just that the CCJ is talking rubbish. How do they know the election was not conducted free and fair? There were Caribbean observers at the election polls and, they all said the election was free and fair. The problem with you IBO and others is that you will not accept the results of the election as long as the DLP is the winner and the UWP is the loser. The UWP was born to lose and will continue to lose and you will continue to run your mouth as usual but with no success. Accept it, IBO, when you lose.
This is the art tie that I will respond to at comments you post. Please forgive me for ever replying to your gibberish. It’s quite pellucid, you are suffering from cognitive deficiency. You are not a rational person.
Levi Peters you a laughing stock of the Caribbean, man u dum!!!!!!, only in Dominica that can happen . Levi you suppose to be neutral and don’t take side , you there like the people of Dominica voted for you , if you want to be in the front, contest in the next election ,you guy s crying like some little B. Every thing was the CCJ now it made it decision now there is so much to say about the same court you all thought you had in your back pockets.
That’s what you call KAMAR , it was just a matter of time we will hear plenty more later .
You are the laughing stock of the Caribbean. You just cannot accept a loss. You will forever be in the losing column, your jacka, boom boom clat.