Two members of the Electoral Commission have disassociated themselves from an Electoral Office press statement disseminated to the media regarding the suspected bribery of Dominican voters residing overseas.
The statement was aired on the day before and the morning of the December 18 general elections.
Bernie Didier and Attorney-at-law Don Christopher, who were appointed to the Electoral Commission by the United Workers Party (UWP), did not consent to the issuance of the document, according to a statement.
“I Bernie Didier, for myself, state that I contacted Mr. Gerald Burton, attorney-at-law, chairman of the commission about the suspected bribery in the Dominica Labour Party, bringing overseas voters treated to vote in Dominica. Mr. Burton told me this is a matter for the politician, not the Electoral Commission.
“I Don Christopher for myself state that on 17th December, 2009 that I was sent a draft press release in writing and virulently opposed its issuance, nevertheless the release was issued without my authority and read on radio the morning of the General Election,” the two Electoral Commission members said in a statement.
That press statement from the Electoral Office stated that it is not an offence for registered voters residing overseas to return to Dominica to cast their votes. “Electors therefore, ought not to feel intimidated by speculations and suggestions that they should or will be arrested merely as a result of having returned to Dominica to vote,” it continued.
However, Didier and Christopher regarded the dissemination of such a statement as a gross irregularity on the part of two other members of the Electoral Commission, who they allege are supporters of the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
Efforts to reach Gerald Burton up to press time proved futile; however Dominica News Online will try to get a response from him on the matter.
Tags: Election 2009
But even then, I was starting to think that I really wanted to try my hand at writing a novel. It took me a few years to sit down and actually start writing fiction. It took even longer to get it published.
Bernie served in parlismant when her party at the time won a similar victory. Bernis was appointed a senator in that same year. Bernie what is the difference now?
And you christopher- avocar- you think that is the man from bense or matts bakery or the d – – – – – – e.
Alll of you need to exercise some degree of respect to the Dominican electorate and if it was unfair in the 18 is was also unfair in the 3. Add this “people’s parliament” ??/?/?/? Rudness and disrespect to the dominican people seem to be the order of the day for the opposition. You wre elected to the HOUSE OF ASSEMBLE not to HARLEM PLAZA. Bernie and Christopher should act more mature and advice the UWP to nominate their 4 senators and get to doing the people’s business.
CRY BABIES!!!!!!!!!
it’s sad how these peoples are try to divide the country because some of them refuse to understand that we are not in the early 90s anymore
We are an educated nation, and we will keep evolving from great to greater to greatness, from the 21 tim tim bois sek promises era to seeing the changes that is taking place in the communities around the island .
We the peoples of this island
if there were another election we would still vote for this prime minister
because we can relate to him as young peoples but also he can relate to the elderly because he was raised by them .
bridging the gap this is what we want
we are fully aware that no man is perfect and we are Ok with that as long as the country is put first and the needs of the peoples are being met who care of the type of car he is driving
Ron behavior clearly portrays his heart condition,(mentality win at any cost)
the sad thing is that he forget that we are observing
If you observe Eddy is not saying a thing (very smart man ) in spit of his bourer face
As usual most of us Dominicans miss the point. The law doesn’t it’s illegal for Dominicans overseas living overseas to come home to vote. What is illegal is for a political party opposition, ruling party or an individual to bribe or attempt to bribe a voter to vote for his party. Regardless of whether the bribe is direct or indirect in such ways as giving money, building materials, RUM, or in the case of overseas Dominicans buying them a ticket. The is the spirit of the law. Look it up. You can find a copy at the public library.
BTW. Citizens of most developed countries (i.e the US) who live in other countries vote in general elections, via ‘Absenty ballot’. Dominica doesn’t have such a system as you’ll know. Yet another reason why we need electoral reform in Dominica.
in the days of just freedom and labour there was never all this crap, since the UWP came into politics in dominica every thing changed, politics in dominica was never like this.
they are seeing the bim in there eyes and afarid to take it out time will tell………………………
all lobourites knows that this elections was unfair and wicked to the people of dominica
Just plain ignorance on the part of Bernie Didier and Don Christopher. No right thinking Dominican should expect anything to the contrary from those two individuals. Plain and simple take your concerns to the High Court and let the court decide. Stop being silly guys.
stop talking we win nothing you or your workers can do about that
shame patriot…..me thinks bernie is a she….just goes to show
hmmmn
What of the scientific poll?
I think we should hold strong. Let the government play there cards. If they have done wrong we have another 5 years to prove that. Without proof it makes no difference. Right now I think we should just try our best not to let our island totally go under. If we are united in our quest we and our quest is for a better Dominica we will succeed.
It’s all politics people.These two genetlemen …….. Bernie Didier being a former candidate. Don Christopher …. So where’s their …..?These grown educated men need to learn to stop trying to play with the Dominica populace.
THE PEOPLE HAS SPOKEN
NUFF SAID
hehehe
Who trust commissions in DA. Just bodies and vessels of the gov’t