Grand Bay elections officials call for unity after by-election in that constituency

Election Clerk Robert George and Returning Officer John Roach speaking to DNO during the November 25th by-election in Grand Bay.

Two prominent elections officials from the community of Grand Bay, are calling for “sincere unity” following one of the most controversial by-election in Dominica.

Acknowledging that the by-election held on November 25, 2021, may result in the further division of the community, Returning Officer John Roach and Election Clerk Robert George, urged residents of the constituency to “join hands for the development of Grand Bay.”

“The election process is a democratic one,  and you will get somebody at the end who emerges the winner…and the people need to accept the results,” Roberts stated to Dominica News Online (DNO).

“I think right now irrespective of the result, we should come together because I personally believe we are too divided in this community and it’s time we work together for the development of the community and the country,” he added.

While supporting the call made by George, Roach however, feels that those who placed themselves at the forefront to represent their constituency, should also be commended.

“I look at things differently sometimes. I personally believe any person that puts their heart into a ring to represent their people at the end of the day the actual figure, to me is not the winner, it is the fact that you presented yourself to represent your people and to me, you’re already a winner by just that simple gesture,” he said.

The elections officers both agreed, however, that the true victor should be the constituency and the  development which is expected to unfold in the days ahead.

“At the end of the day, the figure should not be what represents you, and you should not look at the figures as a failure. The main winner should be the people and what happens after the results, two years, three years, five years from now,” Roach contended. “It’s a by-election, which is about two years into a term. So there, you still have another free years to go in the term, so the main winner will be what happens in the next three years before the next general election.”

The Returning Officer is also hopeful that the people of the constituency can “accept the results” as he declared that “it’s time we come together; let’s work. We are one community “

“It’s true,  everyone wants to win but at the end of the day, we can all be winners if we work together. I think we all want what is good for Grand Bay and we all want what is good for Dominica and it is just a matter of working together. I personally don’t see a problem with any of these three candidates working together to ensure that Grand Bay wins,” he added.

Robert, who served as the overlooker at the various polling divisions, expressed satisfaction with the day’s proceedings, despite the circumstances.

“It is the first time we experienced the elections during COVID-19, and I think it went very, very well,” he said to DNO, “… although at times some people would get a little bit too close to each other, the police were there to assist us. Overall I must say that when I visited all of the polling stations I did that the people were observing the COVID -19 protocols.”

Dr. Vince Henderson, who represented the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) secured a total of 1229 votes to win the by-election in Grand Bay. His main opponent -independent candidate-Julius “handbag” Gabriel obtained 161 votes with the other independent candidate Clarington Bacchus Andrew (Twawoche) receiving 3 votes.

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