Multi-sectoral group to host panel discussion on electoral reform

A Committee of the multi-sectoral group presenting its report recently at DPSU building

The group of Church, Business, Trade Unions and Civil Society that has been facilitating efforts towards electoral reform in the Commonwealth of Dominica and represented by the Dominica Christian Council, the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches, the Dominica Business Forum, the Dominica Bar Association, the Dominica Public Service Union and the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union will host a panel discussion at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday 2nd May, 2019 at the Dominica Public Service Union Building on valley Road Roseau.

Members of the Electoral Reform group will lead the discussion with a presentation of the results of meetings held with the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, the Chief Elections Officer, His Excellency the President, Charles Savarin, the Attorney General, the Dominica Labour Party, the United Workers Party, the Dominica Freedom Party, the Concerned Citizens Movement, the Dominica Christian Council, the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches and business organizations.

An invitation has been extended to the Chief Elections Officer, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, the Attorney General and Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan to join the panel to broaden the discussion on the way forward in achieving electoral reform prior to the next general elections that are constitutionally due on May 20th, 2020.

The main objective of the panel discussion is to help the general public understand the electoral process and the reform or enhancement requirements that are possible at this stage in lieu of the pending general elections.

The Electoral Reform Effort is considered to be a patriotic initiative undertaken by the group who is concerned about the possibility of going into another general election without the necessary reform as recommended by the OAS and Commonwealth observers of the last general election and the possible repercussions that may ensue if the next elections are perceived to be delegitimized. The [electoral] list is however widely and publicly discredited and despite, in the Mission’s view, being accurate and appropriate in the eyes of existing legislation, the Mission does not believe it necessarily reflects the reality or the wishes of Dominican society.”[1]

The Electoral Reform Effort group recognizes the authority of the Electoral Commission in ensuring a free and fair electoral process and appeals to the stakeholders, political parties and the general public to assist in whatever way possible to facilitate the process. The Electoral Reform Effort Group looks forward to a successful and educational panel discussion and participation is open all at 7:00 P.m. on Thursday 2nd May, 2019.

Report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, Commonwealth of Dominica General Elections 8 Dec 2014, page 20 (emphasis added)

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10 Comments

  1. Dom friend
    April 30, 2019

    The time for talk is expiring very very soon. The time for action has commenced. It’s in the hand of the citizens: do we want reform, do we want the end of corruption, do we want the end of incompetence…
    If that’s what we want we have to bring the country to a standstill, nothing else will do!

  2. Exe Right
    April 29, 2019

    Reform you all self first what i’m seeing here is a few men that do not support the Govt the same people you all supporting were in office they should have done it not because they keep losing. so the icc should reform cricket because west indies keep losing

  3. carlty
    April 29, 2019

    I look forward to hearing the final report. Through all the talk for electoral reform, I am asking what are we changing on the electoral act? If we are not changing anything, what exactly are we suggesting when we speak of reform? Doesn’t that mean that our act is okay? What is up with the voters’ ID? Where on earth have you seen the uses of voter’s ID? I have never agreed with it, A national ID card is okay. If we want identification to vote, why not use one of our existing Valid ID’s? Why can’t nonresidential citizens vote? Don’t they contribute to the economy? They pay loans, take care of loved ones and more. Is it that we want them to do so in a more pragmatic way and contribute to the treasury in order to vote? I agree for a voters’ list clean up but again Dominicans must get into the practice of removing loved one’s name on documents after their passing. There are still people holding accounts at Domlec and Dowasco who passed away for decades now.

  4. Karl Orndem
    April 29, 2019

    more discussions? Why are we still discussing if we want reform or not? The game being played by the present administration is to waste time and do things last minute, hopefully in grand “style” so that you forget what wasnt being done. The elections will call, and reforms will be passed, but they wont be the ones recommended by the opposition or other concerned citizens. they will do what they want if it suites their purpose. Then they will blame the opposition for those not passed. Like how they blamed the not passing of reforms on a bag of stones they found near the area of parliament. I mean dont you people see the patterns? All of a sudden roads fixing, all of a sudden there is concern and a rush. Elections coming, they have to make it seem like they were working all along. Well, working for the people that is.

    • Joseph John
      April 29, 2019

      Why is further discussions required. Your statement said that you already held meetings (discussions) with the main stake holders, even the President. So publish your conclusions and make it available to the public. That is all. This was not an investigation(s).
      Who appointed you Lord and Master for two top election officers, the A G and a Senior Council to abide by your biddings. Publish your reports and make proposals for amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Laws for consideration. All this showboating is a waste of time.
      Look Margie. You want to discuss a discussion . You want to paint the lily white and the sky blue.

      • Ibo France
        April 30, 2019

        Joseph John, you need a lot of help. I’m not too certain anyone in this forum can help you for it would take an eternity.

  5. Ibo France
    April 29, 2019

    It’s a noble effort when non governmental organizations (NGOs) become impartially involved in pertinent national issues especially this vexing concern of electoral reforms. If the present administration continue to put up roadblocks and insurmountable obstacles to the fairest and most sensible electoral reform legislations, the entire public and private sectors should be closed down. This will send an unequivocal message to the Sherrit-led regime that the citizenry is most serious about this burning issue. The administration has to stop their delaying tactics of kicking the can down the road. Only an entrenched corrupt regime will stubbornly refuse to acquiesce to such requests that will only strengthen our democracy. With these well thought out reforms, not an iota of harm will be done to the democratic practices. Corruption by this unscrupulous administration must not be allowed to continue. It’s corruption, not merit, that has them in office this long. Time to GO!

    • Joseph John
      April 29, 2019

      What is the name of this NGO you are posting about. Are they registered ? Can you post the relevant section of their memorandum that deals with elections ? If you look at your April calendar you will notice that April Fools day was almost a month ago

      • Ibo France
        April 30, 2019

        I stated non governmental organizations (plural). The private businesses, the churches, the workers unions are all NGOs. Now I’m fully cognizant as to your inability to comprehend most things.

  6. %
    April 29, 2019

    Just remember Tony’s letter to Roosevelt Skerrit which stated that “””reform would undermine Skerrit’s reelection legacy”””.What do you all expect Tony to say?
    Dominica should be the only Caribbean country facing this problem, and it’s because of a lazy, inept, visionless man who is terrified of leaving office!!
    Dominicans need ID card for voting, cleansing of the bloated electors list, campaign financing!!!!
    Stolen elections by the DLP must end!!! It stinks, and loving Dominicans should demand fair election
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

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