Astaphan responds to opposition decision to boycott parliament

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan

Senior Council Anthony Astaphan has responded to a decision by the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) to boycott the parliament.

Astaphan said such a decision could be detrimental to the Opposition.

“If you miss three sittings of the House of Assembly through a boycott, you will forfeit your rights to sit in parliament and there would be by-elections. So if they decide to miss three sittings there will be by-elections and I can guarantee, of the three seats, we will get at least two,” Astaphan asserted.

“The opposition also has the rights to appoint senators and it means that they are not going to appoint these senators, and that to me is very strange. They should be more concerned about rebuilding their party rather than staying out of the house,” he said.

UWP officials have stated that they will not attend parliament for three main reasons- the unprecedented use of bribery to unlawfully influence the election results, the denial of the opposition of access to the state-owned media, and the paid movement of large numbers of overseas based persons to vote which substantially distorted the results in an unfair and illegal way.

The Opposition has also called for fresh elections following the December 18 poll that gave the Dominica Labour Party 18 seats and UWP, three.

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46 Comments

  1. jolee
    January 11, 2010

    u all should have been in wesley 2 c the plane loads & jet load of people that came in. it was quite shocking! the woodfordhill beach was filled with people who came on boats. and mind u those in the airports..
    the results was not because of those who lived in the constituency but those who lived overseas.

    but i tell u what dominicans sow that they shall reap… its only a matter of time… all will be revealed and those that are deceived will be made to see… they willout do themselves, they must! it is inevitable…

    we go c….

  2. ashamed of dominica
    January 5, 2010

    for your information we the people of salisbury not like wesley and the others we can’t be bought. we don’t take crap from no government. we work and don’t beg like them. we agree strongly with our pal rep for boycotting parliament and tell astaphans they will get two seats but salisbury will not be one. so good luck

  3. SADAM HUSSEIN
    December 29, 2009

    that to me mr astaphan is very professional ,not strange (they are old people and as the say ,the older the wiser )and thats exactly what i was hoping they were going to do .lets see who have more power .mr astaphan i know you are a very bright man ,tell me ,what do you think will harpen to dominica if there was only one party .i know you have money so you can run so what about those of us who cannot run what is your advise to us????

  4. December 28, 2009

    I am proud to be a dominican,but it is a shame to see our rep.and citizens are still bowing down to the astaphans annd the nasssiefs.Lets go back to history and see what the grandbarians fougth for.The astaphans and nassief are… and i can’t believe that you people look at theses people as what.Please wake up and check your history about those two families.

  5. precious stones
    December 27, 2009

    TONY why is your heart so trouble, are you afraid of the by- election and the results it would bring. If the ELECTION was fear then your heart should be at ease brother. I support the UWP DECISION BOYCOTT IT SELF. You all wanted A one party state you have it now and yet you not happy. Don’t you think if there is a by-election the DLP may have 2 more seats , how nice that would be. It’s one seat you and your DICTATORS will never have. Cause in that VILLAGE WATER RUNS THROUGH DRAINS, BUT BLOOD RUNS THROUGH VIENS. BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER ALL THE TIME.

  6. Shut Up Already!!
    December 27, 2009

    Quite frankly, Mr. Astaphan, you need to be told that you are not and never will be on a ballot anywhere in Dominica, hence whenever the people of this country demand that their leaders be accountable and transparent about their actions YOU need to ask that these leaders adhere to these demands. I am so fed up with the constant disrespect shown to the citizens of Dominica by all and sundry!! Did we vote you in office? NO! Did we vote your cousin in office? NO! So please, do us all a favour and go attend to your personal and legal business and leave the political matters to the ELECTED officials of Dominica. How is it that Tony Astaphan can suddenly at every turn, swat the efforts of the voters of this country to discern things for themselves and we are expected to shut up and swallow? It’s almost as if we are all in an insane asylum and we are being fed our meds after acting up so that we can be sedated and ugly things can continue unhindered!!! I just wish someone would just instruct you to SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!!

  7. Just Saying
    December 26, 2009

    These events while it may seem totally new to the political history of Dominica is not new to the politics of the world. In 1992 the opposition in Ghana refused to accept the legitimacy of the elections despite the elections being deemed “free and fair” by the Commonwealth Observer Team.

    I feel that the election results were distorted by the political dollars of the DLP. If we are to accept this type of behavior by our political parties then the future looks bleak for our nation.

  8. OPEN EYES
    December 25, 2009

    DOMINICANS, WE NOT SEEING WHAT HAPPENING A MAN SAYING NO LAW CAN STOP FROM BEING THE PM OF THE STATE, FRIENDS THEY POKING YOUR EYES AND YOU ALL NOT SEEING THAT, PEOPLE FELLOW DOMINICA, WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER, WIPE THE SMACK FRO YOUR FACE, IT A SHAME TO SEE WHO TALKING EVIL, MY FRIENDS CHURCHES PEOLPLE LIVING THE WORD OF GOD TO PREACH AND SAYING SUPPORT THAT PARTY WHICH IS DOING EVIL, IS SO WE COME, NOT I JUST WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE CHRISTIAN THAT LIKE WRONG, FRIENDS ARE WE FOR REAL, PEOPLE WAITING ON HAND OUTS, PEOPLE FROM OVER SEAS TO VOTE, NAH THAT CAN’T WORK, WE HAVE IN THE POLICE FORCE A FRAID TO DO THERE JOBS! IS SO WE COME !!!!! TELL YOU VOTE FOR DIMPLES, COME ON IN THE END WILL HE BE THERE TO SAVE YOU? SO YOUR HEART TO CHRIST AND NOT THE DEVIL,BE CAREFUL WHAT U WISH FOR!!!! IN TIME TO COME WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO ALI BABA AND THIVIES!!!! I BELIEVE WE SHALL OVERCOME SOME DAY!!!!!! WHEN MAN STEALING YOU WHERE THEY GOING? SKERRO DAY WILL COME!!!!!! SO DOMINICANS OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!

  9. December 24, 2009

    sourfriere constituency ur an a..!And i dnt think ur mother never say money is the root of all evil,the love of money dat is the root of all evil shit head.opposition we dnt need u guys u think pappy will do a better job than u guys,jus sittin there and njoyin the money doing nothing,Who going overseas and want to run d country by remote control. first time i see things like dat is in dominica but all u think is all dominicans dat stupid.They put them out after how many yrs.When people are getting older they should be getting wiser so u doh see wat happen in wesley and the othrs,they fed up jus being in opposition but is time the people of marigot and salisbury do the same ,Some people jus like staying in the ghetto with some nasty attitude dat gets them nowhere.They jus like those gatay wass dogs.Some of them are really uneducated so they think like d gutter,We dnt need them in oppostiion whether they there or not there is the same so let Skerro run our country in peace he will have less stress looking after those big little boys in d opposition.So let them stay out is dat dat good for them in d yard,

  10. Favour
    December 24, 2009

    Does Mr. Astaphan realise that if there is a bi-election it would benefit the UWP. All the oversees voters would have already returned and most of them cannot get time off a second time so soon to return to vote. That would be great for UWP.

  11. newtral
    December 24, 2009

    Dominican first,
    I remember those days so well, garcon, imagine I was able to save money, something i am unable to do for the last 9 years. Gas prices we low, because the Government subsidize it.
    I was never living from pay check to pay check. All my bills were paid on time, now i have to tell them put $50. on the light, and $10 on the water, buying flour to make bakes instead of bread.
    Boy those were the days, by the way, you know when the red clinic go open, cause all now i brokes.

  12. newtral
    December 24, 2009

    peoples check dis
    the mark of the beast in the holly Bible is 666
    Skero win 18 seats… 6+6+6 =18
    Skero call elections on the 18th… 6+6+6 = 18
    Skero call elections on 6 day of the week and 12 day of year … 6 +12 = 18
    So dominicans elect 1 satan and 17 deamons
    well all we … good and bad, gine burn in hell!!!
    be careful what you wish for… you may well get it.

  13. newtral
    December 24, 2009

    I really support the opposition. If you really check it the DLP really lost the elction, if not for the overseas voters. Its a one part state you want well is a one party state we giving you.
    But i know, the best way to hang a man is give him all the rope.
    sorry dominicans, peter will pay for paul.

  14. Old Sam
    December 24, 2009

    You should be very happy that the opposition will be non existent.That would be the fruit of you campaigning coming to past.What are you scared off? The way the rest of the world will perceive the govt?
    Well if the opposition thinks that the election was not free and fair,they would be giving legitimacy to the result if at all they sit in parliament with the PM and his bought crew.
    You wanted a one party state and you got it.Why are you all vex after you all have won? JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND THIS!!

  15. Dominican First
    December 24, 2009

    Hey do ya’ll remember when Dominica was doing really well Financially under the administration of UWP 1995-2000. We Had Many Off-shore banks. Great source of income.. Sure we were on the black list but that because the usa did not like fact we were taking there money. Right now we are just begging all over the world for money. i Guess begging is better. than the Black list.
    Oh boy i miss those days…. I had dreams back then..
    However, I agree with the UWP to boycott parliament.. They have 0 power. Elections is unfair and thats discouraging.

  16. elbigsexy
    December 24, 2009

    I am still unable to understand what is it LAOURITES are MADDDD about! You all wanted 18 seats, now we are willing to give you all the other 3 by statying out of that place where ALIX is LORD almighty. what is the problem? why you all feel you can tell us how to run our party? if you all wanted to give us any ideas as to how to run our show, TONY and the gang would not be in power now.
    SO please, whatever the consequences of our actions we will face them.

    ENJOY THE ONE PARTY STATE THAT YOU ALL CREATED.

  17. Pendragon
    December 24, 2009

    PLEASE PEOPLE STOP UR C**P, THE ELECTIONS ARE DONE.
    TIME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEVELOPING THE COUNTRY, OR WOULD YOU ALL RATHER THE COUNTRY REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD MOVES FORWARD. FAIR OR UNFAIR IT IS DONE WHAT GOD HAS ALLOWED HE HAS ALLOWED.

    TAKE NOTE OF THE ISRAELITES IN THE DESERT, COMPLAINS COMPLAIN COMPLAINS TILL GOD GOT TIRED. GIVE IT A REST. THE WILL OF GOD BE DONE IN ALL THINGS AND IN ALL WAYS.

  18. Power to the People
    December 24, 2009

    Workers can boycott if they want. Since they lose the first election, workers have been boycooting events. Thats all they can do and will continue to do for a long time because they will not be seeing government for a long time. We do not care about the United Workers Party, so they can do what they like. Good riddance. The Labour Party will continue to take care of the welfare of Dominicans. The masses have spoken loud and clear.

  19. waddison
    December 24, 2009

    Mr. astaphans that scare tactic not going to budge the opposition, i think on the contrary a one party in parliament would be to the country’s detriment so your huffing and puffing about bi- election wont frighten anyone , so do us a favour and go and do some …… before etel do it for you.

  20. s.j
    December 24, 2009

    dominica dont need an advise to the pm let the pm think for himself that is a waste of govmt money

  21. s.j
    December 24, 2009

    two more seats under one party state you wait and you will see what will happened you will just sit and take what the pm do

  22. TO/Dcan
    December 23, 2009

    “life goes on” AMEN!

  23. December 23, 2009

    Dominicans get real….. Remember years ago when Rep Moise from Grand Soufriere and possibly Mamo of Roseau were the sole opposition in parliament……Did they ever boycott against the powerful labour party?….They represented their constituencies and the rest of the nation….These two were truely great Reps.

  24. sunshinegual
    December 23, 2009

    I just love the idea of a one party state. I am so happy that Tony recognises that there is one seat they cannot win. Why didnt he name the seat. Tony just full of sh_ t

  25. Loving-it
    December 23, 2009

    k so what is next..life must go on…If UWP dont want to be in oposition …PAPY and his boys will quickly step up…

  26. mwenmem
    December 23, 2009

    Grateful my friend that you can continue to educate the people. I was always convinced that time and the dominican people would vindicate you and so they did. The work of the educator is always daunting but you will go down as one of our fearless heroes. You were at your post accompanied by your colonel Charlo, defending truth and freedom whenever it was in danger. Great job, great job, it is a shame that guys like me are 2000 miles away from the battlefield but we admire, and exhort you. YOU and PM, CHARLO and others are the true DOMINICANS all others are shadows. Keep on keeping on.

  27. diasporagirl
    December 23, 2009

    I am very ashamed of my fellow dominicans at th e way in which you guys conducted yr selves durin this election, specifically the LABOUR PARTY.First abd foremost the government spent too much money invoking ppl from overseas to come to vote. this money couldbe used t o do other important things..tony kept sayin the uwp should not be concerned about power, but skerrits strategy shows thathe is very POWER HUNGRY. dont tell me u goin out of yr way to ivnokle ppl overseas , most of them hadrly know the real struggle s in d/a.they livin their sweet life in greener pastures and then the comin and vote skerrit and his crew in. the peter payin for paul.
    I ARGREE WITHT HE UWP. STAY OUT OF IT. DONT WASTE YR TIME.they know they open a can of worms……tony shakin in his bootss…..i pray that workers just forget the idea….give them the 3 seats. let them get the labour power they were hopin for…..

    MAGWAYSAH….MOUN DOMNICHIEN PAS FEB….and the most hurtful thing is the labourites are always ready to bite yr head offf if u opose…so many unanswered questions about the skerrit administration , but wen u talk u bad…WE ALL KNOW THE ELECTION WAS NOT FAIR.All the tax payers hard earned money they take there and pay tickets from miami, england, jikkk NEWZEALAND….

    bEFORE U ASK THEM FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO BETTTER YRSELF THEY CHOKIN U IN CHINA.WHY DONT THEY INVEST IN BETTER PLACES TO STUDY…..WORKERZZZZ DO RIGHT. LET THEM RUN THEIR SHOW.DOMINICANS TOO BADDDDDD!!!!!!!!MIND 1979 DOH REPEAT ITSELF …….REMEMBER WOT HAPPENED WITH PATRICK JOHN…….HMMM. MY MOUTH IS GOAT MOUTH. LET ME HUSH

  28. Fbd
    December 23, 2009

    Ron, the decision is a very wise one and you have my 100% support.Mr Skerrit predicted a ONE PARTY STATE during the 2005 campaign. Anybody remember ? So Mr Astaphan what are you afraid of ? Your reason for wanting an opposition is obvious- You and the Speaker can ride roughshod over them, your Krazy (crazy ) talk show will continue and of course your roll as SPIN DOCTOR will go on.
    I may not be a lawyer (liar) but i know that a one party state does not include a DEMOCRACY !

  29. Engras
    December 23, 2009

    There are 6 Legally Registered Political Parties so one from 6 equals 5.The Greeeeeeedy UWP was just here for a time, we have a Country to continue building, they walked out of the house so many times they were hardly in Parliament anyhow.One thing I can say is that one of the three must be eying the $4000.00 very closely. That is what the Leader of the Opp. gets.

  30. Soufriere Consituency
    December 23, 2009

    But Tony whats your stress. What type of lawyer are you. I truly believe now is buy you buy your law degree. Obviously if they decide to stay out they know the consequences. Ha Ha thought is you alone that have brains Tony. Well we well ahead of you. For our part you all can have the 3 other seats. We aint fighting for it. Why you afraid of the monster you created. A one party state you fought for now you scared. Alas poor fella. No is you alone that have strategy. But Mr Astaphan dont you know that if the UWP seats in parliament then they are going agaisnt what they stand for and what they are preaching about. ( Spirt ) My uncle them in UWP dont need the stipend that the government is giving. We not in politics for money. We not coming in parliament for money. Cant you see we dont care about money we care about Dominica. Didnt your granny teach you that Money is the root to all evil see how u dominicans turn you all are under a money spell.

  31. On De Fence
    December 23, 2009

    It has become quite obvious that the opposition has decided to call its case in the court of Opposition opinion. If it is obvious to them that there was mass corruption etc. why not take the matter to court and let the court decide instead of masquarading behind some silly comments.

    Should the UWP opposition be serious of boycotting parliament, why won’t they do the following:-
    1. Write the President informing him of their decision.
    2. Inform the President that he can now nominate persons of his choice as Senators.
    3. Remain on the street for one whole year without ever attending parliament.

    Mr. Green is not an elected member of Parliament and therefore, his saying has no bearing on what happens in the House of Assembly. Mr.Green has now noticed that with Eddison and Prevost as the two senior members of his party to win their seat, their only choice is to have Spags John as the Leader of the opposition, which would be a daunting prospect for his party.

    Eddison and Prevost have no standing in Dominica as leaders and as people who command the respect of the Dominican people. So the writing is on the wall.

    Ron, Eddison, Prevost and Spags you need not go to Parliament, rest assured no one will miss you guys.

  32. hmm
    December 23, 2009

    wa u mean if it good 4 china and cuba. these ppl have lost their right of speech and power to make their own opinions public and cannot stand up against wrong. thas wa u want dominica to become? dominicans already so like to open their mouths n put them where they dont belong. yall wont survive if that was to ever happen.

  33. ViaG
    December 23, 2009

    I am sure that Dominicans laborites included are disgusted by Tony sycophant –ooops sorry Tony Astaphan. The time is coming when Tony will crawl back to whence he came.
    In all fairness to Tony I must admit that we D/cans have given him the impression that we are still naïve and that those of us who are supposedly smart have also allowed Tony to believe that we are unable to think and make smart decisions. Tony is just exercising his “littleman” Napoleonic type behavior in the manner that he does ,that is by pulling the puppet strings from behind the curtains. Tony does not have the courage to step into the ring. As we all know the higher the monkey climb is the more it will expose and so Tony chooses to control from a lower level but get results at the highest level- way to go. The cul de sac of life awaits you and all your coherts.

  34. On De Fence
    December 23, 2009

    It has become quite obvious that the opposition has decided to call its case in the court of Opposition opinion. If it is obvious to them that there was mass corruption etc. why not take the matter to court and let the court decide instead of masquarading behind some silly comments.

    Should the UWP opposition be serious of boycotting parliament, why won’t they do the following:-
    1.

  35. LADY
    December 23, 2009

    Tony go to hell. Just take the last three seats nah. pathetic excuse for a lawyer……………….you make me ashamed.

  36. LABOURRRRRR---RRRRRRITE
    December 23, 2009

    well then some dominicans dont know how to comment. the person that think mr astaphans dont know what he saying you just an idiot.
    to break it down for you……..Once the people in those three constituencies represented by UWP see that their parlrep is not going to attend three house meetings and boycott then they will see that these people are not in for their representation and only want power and to lead.
    then the people will not vote them back in at the bi-elections only because of such reason. DUH!! IDIOT!!

  37. Super
    December 23, 2009

    No Old Thing, You all will have 3 more seats because the opposition won’t contest the bi-elections niether.

    Then it will be smooth runing for Chavez and China. Then Dominican eyes will be opened and this present government will be forced to resign when young Dominicans are sent to fight for Chavez after war breaks out between Chavez and his neighbours. I hope you are prepared to go and defend the motherland- Venezuela. Remember that ALBA is a military pact as well as an economic one.

    Astaphan was quick to interpret the law in this instance but what about parliarmentarians holding dual citizenship?

  38. not even the constitution can stop me
    December 23, 2009

    http://dominicanewsonline.com/?p=267

    Is Lead Counsel for the Government, Mr. Anthony Astaphan hanging his head in shame?
    In October 29, 2009 Mr Astaphan fought and won the legal battle preventing persons holding dual citizenship from being nominated yet in December 2009 he publicly campaigned in favour of Roosevelt Skerit being nominated despite haven failed to inform the public until revealed by opposition candidates that he has been a holder of a French passport since 1972.

    What are the far reaching implications/consequences?

    Does and did his loyalty and sworn allegiance to a foreign power affect his:
    • Past and future fiduciary responsibilities?
    • Holding posts in regional bodies such as the ALBA, CARICOM and OECS?
    • Chairmanship of ECCB
    • Participating in EU trade negotiations and agreements?
    • Serving as minister of national (and regional) security?
    • Awarding multimillion dollar/euro contracts to French/EU companies for the exploitation of national resources such quarries, geothermal energy, fishing grounds, territorial waters etc.
    • Interference in fisheries matters involving quarries polluting the traditional fishing grounds, releasing of French fishermen caught illegally fishing in Dominica’s territorial waters…French coast guard being allowed to operate freely in the territorial waters of Dominica.
    • How do these decisions also affect other Caribbean nations?

    Photo taken during the Prime ministers oath shows Mr. Anthony Astaphan and Savarin’s faces and body language in the picture taken during the swearing in of Roosevelt Skerrit as prime minister of Dominica .

    Isn’t Anthony Astaphan trying to hide?
    You can hide behind the radio but does not the picture tell a thousand words?

    See link to case Anthony Astaphan won to prevent an oposition candidate from being nominated in St.Kitts Note the date.
    http://www.nevisblog.com/candidates-must-sign-declarations-that-they-do-not-hold-dual-citizenship.html

    “(Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
    October 29, 2009 (CUOPM)

    Lead Counsel for the Government, Mr. Anthony Astaphan said the Legal Team wants to ensure that persons who are qualified for election to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly are not holding dual citizenship and are properly qualified on Nomination Day.

    Section 28 (1) of the St. Kitts and Nevis Constitution given the Nation when it became independent during the Administration of the People’s Action Movement on September 19th 1983 states: “A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a member of the National Assembly if by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

    Speaking at a News Conference on Wednesday, Mr. Astaphan said a request was made Monday and granted by the High Court to allow the Legal Team to review and clarify the language in the National Assembly Elections Amendment Act 2009.

    “We have realised that it is a part of the strategy, forensic or otherwise, to consistently threaten or issue injunctions on real or perceived or illusionary reasons. We therefore think that in the interest of time, we must do all that is necessary to clear the deck, to remove obstacles and reasons so that we can pave the way to permit the Prime Minister on the conditions that he thinks best, to exercise the prerogative given to him to call the general elections unfettered, absolutely unfettered by unnecessary litigation most of which is being threatened from the political platform,” said Mr. Astaphan.

    “This does not mean and our advice to the Attorney General was never intended to mean that the basic objects of the Act changed. The purpose of the Act was to ensure that persons who are eligible to be elected, sign the appropriate declarations which are consistent with the provisions of the constitution and that if someone has said in the past or maybe under any possibility of a disqualification that he is obliged by any revised version of the law, to swear declarations as to his eligibility and the absence of any ground for his disqualification. The reason for that is we want to remove any reasons for litigation,” said Astaphan.

    He pointed out that the present Act as amended, vests in the Returning Officer to collect evidence and to decide on the evidence presented.

    “It is possible that the PAM may even if we clear the decks now, on any present litigation may in a future litigation prior to the elections may want to take the point that a Returning Officer is appointed by the Supervisor of Elections and the Executive Branch and therefore there is the appearance of bias on not real or factual appearance of bias,” said Astaphan, who was flanked by Dr. Henry Browne, Mr. Sylvester Anthony and Dr. Kenny Anthony.

    Mr. Astaphan said that his advice to the Attorney General is that the revision which takes place would ensure that any questions of disqualification is unequivocally and unambiguously vested in the Supreme Court by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution.

    “This revision is not merely removing obstacles or reasons or possible reasons real or perceived for litigation. It will also add to the scope of the amended Act. It will ensure that there are appropriate declarations consistent with the law, which will be drafted consistently with the provisions of the Constitution and authorities that are already decided the point,” Mr. Astaphan told the Press.

    “The proposed revision does not affect the fundamental question which exist today that any candidate nominated must be qualified for election and must not suffer from any disqualification vice, such as dual citizenship of the United States, even if you have renounced, there must be a completion of the renunciation process via the State Department or other relevant foreign affairs authority in that jurisdiction and that if anyone is on Nomination Day suffering from such a vice, any vote in his direction or for him in any election, would be a complete waste of time and that his election would be subject to challenge in the court by election petition,” said Mr. Anthony.

    He said there is no concession, abdication or surrender on the essential primary object of the legislation, which was to ensure that on Nomination Day persons who are qualified on Nomination Day to be candidates, swear declarations as to eligibility and disqualification and the question of the legality of that or any contravention of that declaration will be dealt with either in the criminal court in accordance with the provisions of the relevant sections or by petition.

    “Anyone who is convicted of an offence of that kind or has been found guilty of the disqualification or swearing to a false declaration will be subject to disqualification. So the substantive basis of the Act remains. What we are doing is advising that the language be clarified to ensure that all that the Returning Officer is responsible to do is to ensure that the declarations are properly attended to and sworn and that questions of eligibility and non eligibility will be dealt with by the high court,” said the senior counsel.

    “The primary objective of this legal team is to remove any reason for possible litigation so that we can clear the deck for the Hon. Prime Minister to make his decision when he wants to call the general elections unfettered by injunctions threatened by the political platform,” Astaphan reiterated.)”

    His face tells his guilt.

    Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica

    CHAPTER III PARLIAMENT
    Part 1 Establishment of Parliament
    32.Disqualifications for Representatives and Senators.
    1. A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator (hereinafter in this section referred to as a member) if he-

    a.is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;

    Go see for yourself, there are young Dominicans in prison for no crime, others for mistaken identity, some because they had nothing to eat, most because they have no legal representation …
    Can someone look up the following laws of Dominica?

    http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/

    are the :
    Oaths ACT Chapter 5-50
    http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap5-50.pdf

    TREASON ACT 10:01
    http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap10-01.pdf

    PERJURY ACT Chapter 10:30
    http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap10-30.pdf

    OECS ACT

    CARICOM security ACT

    NATIONAL SECURITY ACT
    ….have they been broken?

    But I guess not EVEN THE CONSTITUTION OF DOMINICA can stop…???

  39. December 23, 2009

    Im of the view that people all over the world think that only communism brainwashes people.

    But doesn’t capitalism as well? When our islands are struggling to preserve their cultural heritage and have wholesale import of american culture, when the values and morals of our societies become obsolete based on those of the US, when the ideals and intelligence of our people are measured according to those of the capitalist, when capitalist countries act like leaches sucking our trained and educated professionals and only send home deportees after they’ve been turned to drug addicts, hustlers and murderers by the capitalist system;` and we dont realize that our societies are flooded with illiterates with the few educated ones fooling the masses and fighting for power,; when people think that everything that is not obedient to the US is wrong, when people think that anything sponsored by the government is bad, when in fact the government’s fundamental duty is to its people?

    Yet we fight to have EU passports so we can benefit from monthly allowances, free education, health care and housing allowance for ourselves and children. These are SOCIAList principles you know… We dont encourage our kids to return home so they end up in shortlived marriages in the US so they can get papers instead of being patriotic and helping in nation builidng even if they are unemployed during the financial meltdown. We dont encourage our young productive minds to return home so instead we make an animal farm out of Dca, allow the country to deteriorate then we blame the government. Then we say the country has nothing to offer when there is a lot to be done. But sometimes we are just lazy and negative.

    We are not in a position to praise capitalism when we are struggling with our identities, economies, ideals and morales. We are not in a position to praise capitalism when parents are endebted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans to send their kids off to school, we are not in a position to praise capitalism when the quickest and biggest role it will ever play is that of the police. We are not in a position to promote capitalism when it is stiffling our banana industry and exploiting cheap labour in latin america, asia and africa for the benefit of a few mulitnational corporations.

    Before we argue out of ignorance, we need to find BALANCE and know WHERE we are heading. Not towards communism nor capitalism, but towards a dream that will allow us to grow and identify ourselves as a people and region, and to apply to our benefit whatever policies are in our best interests. This we cannot find in fully upholding or rejecting capitalism nor communism as none is perfect. Dominicans open your minds and look beyond, we have a lot to win, gain and accomplish. Stop being ignorant. Open your minds. Put down the politics. Let’s build our nation.

  40. Prophet2
    December 23, 2009

    Tony, are you afraid that you won’t be able to make enough money in a one-party state because there will be no need for lawers/liars? Me finks you’re worried you won’t become a fatter cat, have no fear if it’s good for Cuba and China then it’s good for us.

  41. Ron
    December 23, 2009

    I think it’s very important to have an opposition but not the losers we see in the UWP whose interest is primarily power. I believe the UWP need to rebuild with the focus of developing the country and not bringing others down. A good start would be to get rid of… Ron as the leader and start with some fresh ideas. Eddie has already lost focus, which leave them with one choice. People like Ronie Esidore needs to step but must be careful of not falling in the same trap as the Ron and Eddie. Oh yes, and must stay clear of Lennox et al.

  42. yes i
    December 23, 2009

    wat 2 seat dat ….marigot n roseau C

  43. December 23, 2009

    It is time some of us Dominicans stop being bitter.
    Elections come and gone, and you still bitter. Most people got paid already- you had the same mortgage or rent payment, same light and water bill to pay, same groceries to buy… so what new is there? Whether under the UWP or DLP – ID cards, electoral reform? Gimme a break.

    Get a hold of it people – you are responsible for yourselves and building the country by making meaningful contributions through hard work. Stop producing substandard work, being mediocre and not aiming for the highest standards in what you do.

    People have their views, see things differently and are all convicted of their beliefs. So why can’t we respect each other’s opions for at least once without all the tongue lashing?

    Move on people, set goals for the next 6 months ahead, organize a budget, think of buying a piece of land, do a course, exercise, start a new diet plan, blog, open a youth group or readers’ club, play a sport, redecorate your bedroom, plant a flower garden or veggies, clean the gutter in front your house, do a hundred sit ups daily, bake bread or cakes, make a pie, learn to sew, take a hike to the falls,a river cook up, go to Screws, write a poem, stop leaving your bed unmade and dirty dishes in your sink because of listening to Matt in the morning or waking up at 7:15 to get ready for work….

    GOSh, do something… other than talk politics and being bitter. It seems we’ve forgotten that after a break up with a lover or husband life goes on, after the death of a dear one life goes on, after a hurricane life goes, so why can’t life go on after elections? Shucks man.

  44. C.A.l.M
    December 23, 2009

    Mr.Astaphan, you seem a very bright man but you can be classified as a typical spin doctor. Why are you so concerned about the opposition rebuilding their party. The realisation of a one party state is dawning upon us. I for one have seen Venezuela (our adopted parent) move from a vibrant capitalist society to a socialist one and that’s how it is started. The Karl Marx socialist concept does not exist and we are treading on dangerous grounds. The world recognizes a country with a strong oppositiion and without one, Dominica will be classified otherwise by the EU and even the IMF. The opposition has taken a strong stance and for all that is fair and just, I would lend my support to them. We all know, whether labourites, UWpites or freedomites that these elections were not free and fair and the opposition should not make this government legitimate by swearing in.

  45. spirit
    December 23, 2009

    Mr astaphan a parliament without opposition is very dagerous but if the uwp dont want to be part of parliament then fine but the uwp would be no more because of that decision. mr astaphans thank you very much for your had work through out the campaign sir. mr skerrit no parliament then no pay for the boys. no work no pay ,no parliament no pay.

  46. old thing
    December 23, 2009

    opposition boycott parliament and will be happy for two more seat. and welcome a one party government

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