Electoral Commission responds to concerns over voters’ list

voters listThe Electoral Commission has responded to concerns in relations to “the total number of persons who are duly registered and therefore eligible to vote in the General Elections scheduled for December 8, 2014.”

Last month the Commission said some 72,484 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the election.

The number has since then come under scrutiny by some who suggested that the number on the list does not reflect the amount of people living in Dominica. Others say the list might be bloated.

But in a press release on Tuesday the Commission said the list was done in accordance with the law of Dominica.

The Commission wishes to assure the public that the status of the list is fully in keeping with the provisions of the law which governs the registration of electors, that is, the Registration of Electors Act, Chap. 2:03 (1990 Revised Laws of Dominica),” the Commission said.

It continued, “The Electoral Commission has repeatedly pointed out that Dominica’s laws allow for the registration, as electors, of citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica of the age of 18 years and over, as well as persons who are citizens of any Commonwealth country who have been resident in Dominica for a period of 12 months prior to the qualifying registration date. In respect of each of these categories, the person concerned must have been resident in the polling district in which he intends to register for a period of at least three (3) months prior to the date of registration. The exception to this is persons who have attained the age of 18 years within the 3 month period immediately preceding the date of their registration.”

It went on to say, “In this context, it is evident that the Electors List is not intended to be a reflection of the number of persons who are resident in the State at any particular point in time. Instead, the list comprises of electors who reside in Dominica as well as those who are duly registered but are absent from Dominica for one reason or the other.”

“At the heart of the election law is the requirement for continuous registration and the establishment of the right of persons who are registered to remain so registered until such time as their names are removed from the list by strict process of law,” the Electoral Commission said. “The Electoral Commission has in the past detailed the efforts which it has made over the years to remove from the list names which by law ought to be removed and have also explained the procedure by which the general public, political parties and other stakeholders may assist, by filing with Registering Officers, the formal notices of objections prescribed by law.”

The Electoral Commission said no one who is legitimately registered “must be stripped of their fundamental right” to vote “except in the strictest compliance with the law.”

According to the Commission, “In fact, section 27 (2) of the House of Assembly (Elections) Act, Chap. 2:01 makes clear that : “Every person whose name appears on the official list of electors for any polling district shall be entitled to vote in that polling district notwithstanding that he is not resident in that polling district upon polling day.””

It continues, “It is for this reason that the Electoral Commission has issued clear instructions to all presiding officers sworn to serve in the general elections that all persons whose names have been included in the List of Electors for the December 8, 2014 General Elections, are entitled to vote subject to the voting procedures established by law, and in respect of which they have been instructed and trained. The Commission remains resolute in its commitment to performing its duties in accordance with the law and in ensuring that electors are able to exercise their right to vote in a peaceful atmosphere.”

The Commission said it “looks forward to the full cooperation of all elections officers, the political parties and the general public, in this regard.”

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

123 Comments

  1. professor
    December 4, 2014

    we keep asking how can the list have more persons registered than the current population. well my friends if we read and understood the Act we would not be asking that question and making ourselves look like fools. the act makes provisions for person who have been duly registered but for some reason have been living out of Dominica. Let us read carefully the correct documents before we post nonsensical posts that we would not have done if we only took a minute to read.

  2. 100% Dominican
    December 3, 2014

    Yadi yadi ya! What you have said just explains the process based on documentation. What level of assurance do we have that the process is being complied with. I brought my cousin to register (who by the way has only moved to the village about 3 months prior). The officer didn’t ask for ID; didnt check passport information; nada…What kind of process is this? This is absolutely unacceptable. We know of officers who are registering foreigners who have not met criteria for voting. We know of people who of people who have registered multiple times in different constituencies. Stop taking people for fools. There is a documented process however where is the assurance of compliance?

  3. Nature Isle Man
    December 3, 2014

    I am trying hard to understand how the population of a country can be 72,301 according the the census figures for 2014, and there is a voter list of 72,484? How is that possible? Don’t we have children in the Nature Isle any more? I know that people come and go, and people form other countries choose to reside in DA, But it blows my mind reading this. In reference to people living in the USA, unless you are a US citizen you cannoit vote in the US. But if you are a citizen voting in the USA you cannot vote in the US and then go vote in your country cuz that’s a crime of which if you get caugt and there is proff you can be imprisoned. The EC has more than enough time during general elections to purge the voters list. How I wish our leaders would dtop BASHING each other and try to fix some of these problems. Wether you are Blue, Red or Green, at the end of the voting process we all have to live together for another five (5) years unless we have another senario like the one we had with (PJ). And in closing I think The Prime Minister shhould be a man and accept the challenge to debate the leader of the oppisitoin.

  4. Anonymous
    December 3, 2014

    So says the law http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap2-01.pdf 55. The following persons shall be deemed guilty of bribery within the meaning of this Act – 1. every person who, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, gives, lends, or agrees to give or lend, or offers, promises, or promises to procure or to endeavour to procure any money or valuable consideration to or for any elector, or to or for any person on behalf of any elector, or to or for any other person in order to induce any elector to vote or refrain from voting, or corruptly does any such act as mentioned above on account of any elector having voted or refrained from voting at any election

  5. law abiding citizen
    December 3, 2014

    the country have about 71,000 people how the hell can it have over 72,000 voters?? so it doe have people under the age of 18 in dominica??????????????????????????????????
    mr cabon comissioner of police ,what is your job?????????????

  6. Free Thinker
    December 3, 2014

    DNO the feedback icon (thumbs up, thumbs down) is not working……..could admin attend to this asap?
    Anticipating a favourable reply.

    ADMIN: Will get out techie check it out.

  7. grell
    December 3, 2014

    This is a bunch of bull you can register right here in the tristate are,the calls were made all you had to give labour was your name,the electoral process is all corrupt in dominca so dont give me the crap,i know of a friend that left 30 years ago and is still voting,shame on these people,god will deal with you all.Skerrit have all as a bunch of rotten grapes and rotten grapes smells.

  8. looking
    December 3, 2014

    The PM said the DLP is not involved in importing voters, case closed. I believe in him. Or should I?

  9. pedro
    December 3, 2014

    You have failed to do your job which may result in an unpopular government being elected in Dominica. The destabilization and disruption which usually develop when leaders falsely impose themselves on a people will be on your hands and history will not forgive you. Your entire generation will pay for this.

  10. WARMA
    December 3, 2014

    You Gerald Burton and your accomplices ought to be prosecuted for dereliction of duties. You all took an oath to uphold the laws and constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica and you have all abdicated your responsibilities. As far as I am concerned, your failure to perform the mandate which you swore to perform constibutes a breach of your fudiciary responsibilities, and you should be prosecuted for that violation. I for one will be making that case repeatedly!

  11. AH! MARGWA SA
    December 3, 2014

    You have failed to clean up the voters list, you have failed to issue ID cards, you are making it possible for the party you favour the labour party to ramain in office cause skerrit got the formular to make himself prime minister for life: IMPORT AND PAY VOTERS leaving overseas to come home and vote for him. Later down the line they will say you have served Dominica well and you will get a meritorious award or better yet they will name a road in your honour Mr Burton,

  12. Voter
    December 3, 2014

    Sick minds in this country, No one is taking a back-seat and look at the bigger picture as to where this coruption will take our nation.
    Who are the elderly that are setting the examples for the young ones to follow??

  13. Free Thinker
    December 3, 2014

    I think that there are persons on the Electoral Commission whose sole purpose is to frustrate the process of Electoral Reform and so deprive the general population of free and fair elections.

    Don’t you think that this electors’ list is ridiculous? An electors list greater than the national population? How does this make Dominica look to the civilized world?

    Come on people of Dominica, use your God given commonsense, don’t let people with their hidden agenda twist you around their fingers.

    • Gary
      December 3, 2014

      It is sad when you say quote “Come on people of Dominica, use your God given commonsense” What makes you think you are using God given common sense. Why do you believe that your comment is based on your ability to use God given commonsense’

      The opening paragraph of your comment is such a nonsensical assumption.It is lazy thinking, where is your proof to support such thing, saying something like that does not say you correct.

  14. Teflon
    December 3, 2014

    Gerard Burton?

    Dissapointed you are being used like a pappyshow. History doesnt allow many people the opportunity to rewind the clock and change things.

    Alick Lawrence I understand. He is the labour agent in the mix. Kondwani even I get.

    But you ?

  15. Loud Voice
    December 3, 2014

    The EC is made up of equal parts UWP and DLP members. I fail to see how the EC can be biased. This issue has been circulating for years. If UWP thinks there is a disadvantage to them, they had 5 yrs to take up the issue with the EC to resolve. Furthermore, this policy exist all over the world including the U.S. A US citizen can live outside the U.S. all their lives and still vote in the US elections as long as they are a registered voter. Where you live should not be an impediment to voting. I may live outside of DA but have my house, bank accounts ect. there and what happens in DA affects me also therefore, I should not be deprived of the opportunity to exercise this right given to me by my birth which by the way I intend to exercise.

    • pedro
      December 3, 2014

      You do not depend on Dominica for jobs, health care, education, roads and most of all the cost of basis items. Allow the people who suffer the consequences of Governance decide who will lead them for the next 5 years.

    • The Baptiste
      December 3, 2014

      Loud Voice, your comment suggests to me that you appear to have gone to school by the bayside in summer, when you can say that 3 versus 2 is equal, particularly when the third, holds the powerful post of chairman,.
      Surely, you don’t have to be one of those proving the statement of the late Prime Minister “Pierre Charles” that “Dominicans wear their ignorance like a badge of honor”.

    • Son of the Soil
      December 4, 2014

      If you are a us citizen you are not allowed to vote in another country. You can vote regardless of where you live as an us citizen but it has to be for elections held in the USA.

  16. December 3, 2014

    It is very interesting that the Electoral Commission should come out at the eleventh hour to try to clear the air on the controversy surrounding the alleged blotted voters list. It would seem from the published explanation that the commission has passed the buck and placed the blame at the feet of the Public and the General public. For me to understand what they clearly mean they must first explain what their functions are as members of that commission; and like one of the comments asked they must please say what actions they have taken to ensure that the voters list has been sensitized. If our laws are FLAWED what have been their recommendations to the powers that be to have the laws improved upon to ensure the future generation does not fall into a state of intellectual and political CONFUSION. The question to be asked is how are the other countries of the OECS and CARRICOM able to get it right and we can get it so wrong in terms of our LAWS. What is even more cynical is the fact that those who are aware of the impotency of the laws continue to exploit it with impunity for their own selfish benefit. But i guess “WE LIKE IT SO.”

    • Felix AAron
      December 4, 2014

      Butcher, you have it all wrong.

      The intention of the law is to protect the right to vote and not to disenfranchise voters as the UWP is trying to do.

      Once you are registered you rights can only be revoked by the due process of the law. Not by the political strategy of the UWP or the DLP.

      UWP is defying the decision of the court for political machinations.

  17. Dominicva_Lover
    December 3, 2014

    They explained nothing

    • disciple
      December 3, 2014

      They actually explained EVERYTHING!!!

  18. Too Hard Too Long
    December 3, 2014

    In 1990, the electorate was already over 50,000. In 1995, when UWP won the election, it was just under 58,000. Nothing was said or done about the voters list that was too large given the population. In 2000, when UWP expected to win a second term, the list had grown to over 60,000 and it was not a problem. However, as fate would have it, the UWP lost the election.

    Notice that the list grows every five years irrespective of who is in power. That is because the list is governed by law and not by party. Note also that every election, the percentage of voters who actually vote gets smaller. In fact, the number of people who voted have yet to hit 40,000, a number which is less than the total number of adults in Dominica.

    Still, we continue to attack the voters list. Are you to tell me today that if UWP wins the election on Monday, that they will remove all overseas residents from the voters list? Really? I think not. I believe all politicians to be self-serving and as long as something works for a politician they will continue to use it.

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2014

      amen to that. it is because it does not suit the opposition at this particular time so they are blue vex about it :-P

  19. Anonymous
    December 3, 2014

    My dad passed away 11 years ago and his name is still on the voters list because we (his family) did not inform the Electoral Commission of his death. I am sure we have other similar instances like this.
    Suggestion: As Dominicans, we must also help the EC by providing them with information that will assist them in cleaning the list (eg. presenting them with a death certificate of our family member etc). It’s pointless that we just sit and talk and say the list is bloated.

    • December 3, 2014

      stupid they have to pay the registry a visit.

    • Papa Dom
      December 3, 2014

      We have no obligation to tell the EC when one of ours dies and that is the very last thing on our minds. The vast majority of us only pat attention to electoral list when election comes arond but it is the job of the EC and specifically the CEO to keep an eye on the list whole year round. So if as you are saying, your fathers name is on the list after being dead for 11 years then the EC is not doing it job. Further more Burton said that they regularly compare the list with death records, if so then how can it be that a person who died 11 years ago is still registered? one of yo has to be telling an untruth.

  20. Mark 2
    December 3, 2014

    Folks I was confused before and after reading this press release I am more confused. How could that happen in our Dominica? How and why? The Electoral commission members need to bury their heads into the palms of their hands and begin to cry. What a shame what a shame!!!!!!!~

  21. Anonymous
    December 3, 2014

    The commission is quick to point out peoples right and the legality of voting rights but refuse to mention when and how they’re made illegible along with the most important factor of when and how can their names be removed from the voters list. Why is it that the law clearly states that one ought to be resident in the country for a minimum of three months prior to the election date so Mr. commissioner why have you and your organization have not done what you’re employed by the people of Dominica to do and remove the people who are not resident here in Dominica the months prior to the election date?

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2014

      Why don’t you go read the rules for yourself. Go on the government website its all there.

      • Anonymous
        December 3, 2014

        Before you come here running you should learn what the mission of the electoral commission is, which per their website is “Responsibilities

        The Electoral Office has responsibility for conducting Parliamentary and Local Government Elections. The Office is managed by the Chief Elections Officer, under the direction of the Electoral Commission.

        Mission

        To facilitate the efficient conduct of free and fair elections in the Commonwealth of Dominica and serve the public with efficiency and impartiality.”
        So I’m only asking that they do their work

  22. Chakademus
    December 3, 2014

    This appears to be a legitimate concern but we need to examine it more closely. It does seem strange that the electoral list exceeds the population of the island but we know that Dominicans travel a lot. There are probably more Dominicans living overseas than on the island itself. Furthermore even if someone loses their right to vote by living overseas for a number of years, there is a legally prescribed manner for removing names from the list. Under this scenario therefore it is no surprise that we end up with a bloated list. The Electoral Commission cannot be blamed for that if they are following the law.

    The right to vote is sacred, and no one must be deprived of it lightly. Maybe it’s time to re-examine the issue of qualification of voters and mechanisms of purging and updating the voter rolls.

    Another issue that bothers me along those lines is why should a citizen lose his right to vote just because he lives overseas? Wherever we are we are still Dominicans, the actions of the government affects us so we should retain the right to help choose our leaders.

  23. Anonymous
    December 3, 2014

    And it gets better for the worse because according to the same Elections Act 2:01 0f 1990 there are some interesting revelations (PAR T 55-64) as to what constitutes BRIBERY!!!!
    Let’s have an except…..
    “56. Definition of treating. The following persons shall be deemed guilty of treating within the meaning of this Act:
    1. every person who corruptly, by himself or by any other person, either before, during, or after an election, directly or indirectly, gives, or provides or pays wholly or in part the expenses of giving or providing any food, drink, entertainment, or provision to or for any person, for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person, or any other person, to vote or to refrain from voting at the election, or on account of that person or any other person having voted or refrained from voting at the election;”
    Can we now put the chords together and sing the Sanky!!!!!!!!!!!!
    http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap2-01.pdf

    • looking
      December 3, 2014

      Based on sources there is presently a lot of entertainment going up in the reserve. The whole of Dominica should take a ride and head up there. After the propaganda there are lots to eat and drink and be merry all for free

    • Papa Dom
      December 3, 2014

      ask the CCJ. They are the ones who decided that paying tickets for people to come to vote is not treating. Every single legal tenet, no matter how simple or basic, is misconstrued and corrupted by these incompetent judges.

  24. Anonymous
    December 3, 2014

    The Registration of Electors Act, Chap. 2:03 (1990 Revised Laws of Dominica) is correct and I have been wrong all the while…. I have been focusing on the wrong angle of discuss. Reading through the law, EXCLUSIVE emphasis is placed on the REGISTRATION process i.e. ….”.. it allows for the registration, as electors, of citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica of the age of 18 years and over, as well as persons who are citizens of any Commonwealth country who have been resident in Dominica for a period of 12 months prior to the qualifying registration date”… Again the EXCLUSIVE emphasis on REGISTRATION. It further states that “in respect of each of these categories, the person concerned must have been resident in the polling district in which he intends to register for a period of at least three (3) months prior to the date of REGISTRATION.
    Now the issue… once you REGISTERED you are a registered voter… the issue of living abroad for more than 5 years is another issue to be dealt with accordingly!!! But our problem right now is that once your name on the voters list it’s there. Now some might be wicked and lawless and unpatriotic enough to know that they have lived abroad for more than 5 years and still come and vote because their name on the list… that’s our problem currently. Another reason for CHANGE in thee law to reflect our reality!!!!!!

  25. Shame
    December 3, 2014

    That Is such a stupid explanation. Dominicans wake up smell the rat. It doesn’t matter when you register, be it a day before election or 3 months before election, the fact remains the voters list is more than the population of the country even if every one on the island was 18 and above

  26. Abitrator
    December 3, 2014

    I have few questions ford the commission

    1. What is the population of Dominica?
    2. How many people from that population are are enough to vote.

    Because based on the numbers given we might have a bigger problem than Dictatorship. If 100% of Dominica are over voting age, that means our people will be extinct in a few decades because there are no children or a very small number of children on the island. I’m sure you all get the point I’m trying to make. I can go on and on and on. I am quite certain that almost half of the population are children who are unable to vote. This means that about 35000 vote are flying from overseas.

    Who you guys think you’re fulling with all that BS

  27. ATKINSON
    December 3, 2014

    This is a difficult one, due to so many of our the population is residing outside of the country. How can the Electoral commission,or any other government agency verify who has left the country or for how long? I could see law suits, if people are kick off the list. Also people do not tell the commission they have left the country and residing abroad. Many country have that same problems. Maybe we should consider the idea of letting citzens residing overseas the vote at the consulate/embassies, or at other polling places. That way no party’s can say their supporters have an unfair advantage or bring in supporters to vote.

  28. Francisco Telemaque
    December 3, 2014

    “Last month the Commission said some 72,484 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the election.”

    If by any chance, less than thirty-five thousand people voted in the last election five years ago, indicating that the population of Dominica was less than seventy thousand people. How come within five years, the population has grown by thirty-seven ( 37,484) thousand four hundred eighty-four people.

    There are lots of people in our country who should be living in the Jail house at Stock Farm permanently. The powers that be in Dominica seems to believe that the majority of Dominicans are ignorant, if there is anyone convinced that the population of Dominica has grown by approximately 37,484,I invite them to look at the result of the number of people who voted in each poling Station in the last election, and add up the total amount of people, which will revile that just a little above thirty (30,000) votes was cast.

    If there are that amount of people registered to vote, that mean between the last election and today thirty-seven thousand plus Dominicans may have returned home, even the dead ones, or those foreigners holding Dominica passports may after all decided to reside in the country, hence increasing the population: let us take that into consideration, while at the same time count the thousands of people who have immigrated out of Dominica within the last five years. And even if about thirty-seven new babies were born, within that period, some would be five years old, some three, some two, and one year old; to young to register to vote, to young to make decisions for themselves.

    That green book represents the election fraud perpetrated on the people by the government! Any body who believe the rubbish spoken by the puppets of Skerrit, and his government might be out of their mind. Nevertheless, I feel sorry for the members of the commission, who has no shame reducing themselves below the level of a child, as one man controls their mind body and soul!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  29. Truth and Justice
    December 3, 2014

    Dominicans in a democracy you need people on both sides of the bench, so you want to vote the best person for the job, this shows a mature and intelligent electorate. do not be afraid to change a parliamentary candidate if they have not been performing, and did not represent you. the PM said so tonight so vote for bright intelligent articulate young men and women who can challenge in parliament the laws and ensure that Dominica is not sold down the drain or corruption is not challenged. In a democracy you the people are actually employing men and women to represent you, so do not be afraid to vote for the best person to represent you. This is not a Presidential election. It is about getting the best 21 men and women to discuss and debate policies which will benefit Dominica. It is not about Lennox Linton or Skerrit. So here are my recommendations, Joshua Francis, Eunica Victor, Barzile, Monelle Williams , Felix Thomas, Sandford, Thomas Fountain, Charles, Castle Bruce, these individual I listened to them and they are individuals who can sit on a cabinet and rightly represent you, Salibury and Marigot will vote workers, and vielle case will vote Skerrit, but it would be a shame if these young bright intelligent hopefuls did not make it to parliament because people were fooled by short term goodies. we need to move to maturity. vote for a good parliamentary representative not a colour or a PM. It would be a real sign o growth if marigot and vielle case both voted the unexpected, marigot vote labour and vielle case voted workers. that would really say something about the intelligence of Dominicans and rid Dominica of the partisan politics. this would change the face of dominica politics as the members of parliament would then have to chose their leader. A new leader in parliament.

  30. Methusala
    December 3, 2014

    “It is for this reason that the Electoral Commission has issued clear instructions to all presiding officers sworn to serve in the general elections that all persons whose names have been included in the List of Electors for the December 8, 2014 General Elections, are entitled to vote subject to the voting procedures established by law, and in respect of which they have been instructed and trained. The Commission remains resolute in its commitment to performing its duties in accordance with the law and in ensuring that electors are able to exercise their right to vote in a peaceful atmosphere.”
    Read this quote slowly, recognizing all the punctuation marks so as to get the clear and precise message.
    The reason why I ask you to do this is to draw a very clear parallel. Earlier tonight Michael Astaphans said on Q95 politics program with Angelo Alleyne and Arundel Thomas that the presiding officers and other polling clerks can and should raise objections to persons who are not legible to vote been given a ballot or been allowed to vote. What was the response? The electoral commission comes out spewing garbage warnings.
    People of Dominica the Roosevelt Skerrit and his Robin Hood gang realize that we love to talk and are afraid to act so what do they do? Every time a valid and legal suggestion is raised to protect our democracy they respond with Intimidation. My question to you is this can the government shoot/kill or imprison all of the level headed Dominican who stands up to be counted as the guardians of their democracy. People of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit is not going to give you nothing for free even if it is a God given right. You must take what is yours and you must do it now because later might be too late.
    A few months ago when I heard Lennox Linton said that Roosevelt Skerrit and his criminal enterprise was turning Dominica into a police state I was angry at him thinking that he was creating unnecessary fear and panic and in less than a year of hearing this statement from Linton here it is as clear as daylight. The SSU placed in strategic positions to safeguard suspected lawbreakers knowing what their intents are. And to clarify how clear and evident the danger is the police chief is notifying the public that they are ready and prepared to use deadly force.
    You all do not have to listen to me but time is longer than time.

  31. Technology
    December 3, 2014

    UWP did not think to address this issue when they were in power because it worked for them to put them in power so they never sought electoral reform. Now they are on the other side of the fence they bawling. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.. Majority vote will count whether they come from here there or anywhere.

  32. Doc. Love
    December 3, 2014

    I would like a member of the electoral commission to tell Dominicans the name of one country in the whole wide world where the number of voters listed, exceeds the total number of people residing in the country. They have messed up, therefore, just hope for the best on Monday 8th December.

  33. December 3, 2014

    I left Dominica in 1995, I wouldn’t be surprised if my name is still on the list in the Roseau South Constituency, somebody is not doing there job. I have no plans to come to Dominica to vote, this is up to those who resides in the country on a permanent basis. Who in the kitchen, that feeling the heat.

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2014

      Did you tell them that you going? did you tell them how long u stayin g away for? most of you spoil visa how the heck the commission going to know if you sont tell them sort

  34. shervon
    December 3, 2014

    If dominica is concerned about the number of voters then they should start by getting the number of Dominicans who live in Dominica correct. What they need to do in Dominica is to get the census to reflect the voting numbers. And to all the Dominicans who are living over seas then you should not be able to vote unless if you have been residing in dominica for the past year at least. And if you claim residency in the us or have a green card living in the us you must remember that by reviving that green card you then disown your Previous nationality (not saying you are not dominican but that you can not VOTE of fight In a war as a Dominican rather than Americans). Dominica if you say there are 70,000 voters then there should have a census that reflects that number. If your government cheats to win then he is not your government

  35. Read and understand
    December 2, 2014

    According to the law, citizens of any Commonwealth country can register and vote in Dominica once they reside here 12 months prior. There are also naturalized citizens of Dominica in addition to Dominicans by birth who have registered; some who live in Dominica and some who don’t. Once your name is there, it remains that way. Furthermore, Dominica, like other Caribbean countries allow dual nationality as well, to those who still yet do not understand why those who reside overseas are allowed to vote. America allows their voters to cast absentee votes… Its not rocket Math. It’s simple. The list can be purged by legal procedures but even with the names of the dead people off the list, the list will still be higher than the population.

  36. natural dominican
    December 2, 2014

    The election commission is a joke. They have had years to do something about this list. Look at the ‘half-fast’ job they do in screening candidates. If the commission says that they see nothing wrong with a list that is bigger than the population then they really are just ‘half-fast’ lol. This would mean that this list is filled with people who has left Dominica and maybe never returned, people who are dead, etc.

  37. ParoInRoseau
    December 2, 2014

    For sure Paro name not on the list nobody can approach me! Paro not even voting. Paro was out of island when elections call. Yes out of island not because I Paro I cannot travel! When I came back registrations close. Oh well! I still getting help from the DLP thanks for the voucher!

  38. December 2, 2014

    I think that common sense would assist in this regard. The list should not matter, what matters is how the people vote. List or no list people who are qualified MUST VOTE one way or the other.

  39. Benjamin John-Rose
    December 2, 2014

    The first and only time I have voted in Dominica was for Pierre Charles in Grand Bay in 1985 or about there. I have been away for about 23 years now. Question: Am I still on the ballot to vote in Dominica? Benjamin.

  40. smh
    December 2, 2014

    Why couldn’t the electoral commission request from the government to change the laws so that it could create transparency? Why couldn’t they do that before parliament dissolve,instead of stating that no law has been broken? Why is it against the people by defending? Shouldn’t the interest of the people be respected?

  41. Partisan
    December 2, 2014

    Throw Bleach on that list! It’s Dirty!

  42. Home Grown
    December 2, 2014

    Yes AHH Dominica. The good Lord is watching down on us. Sad to say like but God do not like ugly and one of the good old day our people will face judgement.

  43. Ma GWe sa
    December 2, 2014

    Yes the electoral commission has to abide by the law but they are all singing Labour song because they know for a fact that the persons not leaving here are not eligible to vote if they have not been leaving on Island for the past five years yet still they beating around the bushes.
    Yes they can come to vote, they will be allowed to vote but People we the UWP agents need to object once we know that they’ve not been here and make them vote under oath. This is the Law plan and simple.
    The Oath is what keeps them bounded not the inedible ink!
    All this hypocricy is driving Dominica down the drain.
    You know I still cannot imagine how is it that Dominicans still believe that it is Skerritte and his regime who placed themselves in power!
    You think this could happen in the French countries. I really do not know if is too many trees we have in this place thats why we are acting so idiotic! Las fait moun pon nous pou sort en place salar! ( tired make people take us for fools!) People we have to stand for our children ,our grand children.
    take a look at Dominica, can somebody please tell me if we are going to be depending on China and Venezuela all our lives; They are eventually going to get fed up of giving us when we fail to invest it! How does the government plan to pay back all these loans? How do they plan on running Dominica? Is it on Hand me downs?
    A country with no factory, A Country with a struggling Tourism Industry, A country where Farming use to be the backbone now believes that they can turn stony beaches to sandy ones, build hotels for bird. while Liat is cutting flights we increasing Hotel space. Tell me my people how do you see Dominica Five years from now?
    All the beggars who feel they benefiting wait till the money done and The ministers will be having fun while u catching hell!

    To the Diaspora voters, the cries of Dominicans will be on your shoulders. Before you head to the polls take a good look at our once beautiful Dominica and tell me what it is Skeritte is doing? Tell me where is the development. And do not call upgrading a road development. Do not call Charles Saverin’s House Development! The stadium that is used once a year for an International Game do not call it Development ( though I applaud the effort). What did they do to create Jobs? what did they do to improve the standard of living of the few Dominicans living here. What did they do to deserve to remain in office!
    I will tell you what they did not do,
    They stole the independence of the Dominican People ( Welfare and Trust fund helped those who were not able now they help all even the civil servant)
    They turned our citizens to beggers instead of making them better!
    They destroyed the stability of farmers
    They are driving prominent banks out because of no money for transactions by citizens
    They have reduced our Tourism sector to a political Gimmick
    They have turned our town into a China town
    They have turned Month end into Bill’ Payment end!
    They have turned our ten dollars into a ten cents ( no value)
    A bread is now 1.25 flour has not gone up
    The country now has no democracy, A leader who leaves and no one know where he is is what we have reduced to
    A corrupt Police force
    Civil servants are now Actual Servants low income earners
    Ladies and Gentleman its time for change!
    Time to bring back development to Dominica!

    • Gary
      December 4, 2014

      Wow, The opinions expressed in your comment shows symptoms of a person who is delusional. Why are you proclaiming such beliefs, allegations and assumptions about your Country in spite of invalidating evidence. Yes, you can have your opinions, but to deliberately ignore and distort facts to suit your political partisan beliefs is foolish it does not help in bringing about the change you want. I would like to debunk all the nonsensical things you have said but time and space do not permit me.If you get rid of your delusion I bet you that you will become a wiser person in accessing the truth facing the Country.

  44. Anonymous
    December 2, 2014

    So the law Afie and the bunch of sots talking about is right here before our eyes. No wonder they lost all the court cases and they still planning to do the same thing on December 9th? Well well only a FOOL does the same thing over and over and expect the result to be different. What do you expect when in this day and age a uneducated man wants to lead a country stupesssssssssssssss

  45. AA
    December 2, 2014

    SERIOUSLY ELECTORAL COMMISSION??? THAT’S WHAT YOU ALL HAVE TO SAY? YOU ALL ARE A BUNCH OF PARASITES JUST EATING THE COUNTRY RESOURCES WITHOUT DOING THE WORK WHICH YOU ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

    There is no reason that over the past five years the electoral commission could not have registered the population. They are either wicked, incompetent or downright corrupt and right now i think they are corrupt. how can you be part of something that is not meeting its mandate? how do you people sleep at night? don’t you all have a conscious that makes you feel guilty for accepting the monies of the state for not doing what you are suppose to do? You all we go down in history as the most corrupt institution that prevented free and fair elections in the state.

  46. Mwen
    December 2, 2014

    This is pure CRAP

  47. rosareo
    December 2, 2014

    Well, well in Dominica things are really back to front. The Electoral Commission should have come out from the time the figures of the population and electorates were put out , they should have spoken, now is too late. The Electoral Commission should admit their evil deeds and have the list cleaned up.Coming on now make no sense and each one of you will be held accountable. God is good to all.

  48. too late
    December 2, 2014

    institutions coming out one after the next to protect skerrit. so tell me what is the police going to do about the complaint uwp is making. this will continue because the opposition is scared of taking to the streets

  49. kalinago kidd
    December 2, 2014

    Ppl what is goin on in Dominica is sad despite which party you support,all other countries improving their electoral system to offset irregularities why can’t we?why are we always behind?why are there so many loop holes in our laws for criminals to pass free?this is the image of the anti Christ,one who practices lawless ness,when a leader stands and says no law no constitution can’t stop him that should not be taken lightly,as a result it is demonic n has demonized all institutions in Dominica!satan is doomed for hell,and when my pm tells my family n all Dominicans go to hell,I rise to vito all his negative assaults n send him back to sender in Jesus name.

  50. nypossie
    December 2, 2014

    i smell rats in that statement by the commission; I was expecting the Commission to say despite its efforts to clean the list by calling for electoral reform and the issuance of voter ID cards the government of the day has frustrated our efforts and hence the legitimate perception by the general public that the electoral system is inflated and corrupt is a genuine concern. I was expecting the Commission to also say that if we had gotten the cooperation from the government of the day like ANTIGUA WE COULD HAVE ACHIEVED ELECTORAL REFORM WITHIN 3 MONTHS AND TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. BUT TO COME NOW TO SAY IS NOT THE COMMISSION IS THE LAW AND IS WE THE POPULATION THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INFLATED LIST BECAUSE WE HAD RESPONSIBILITY TO COME FORWARD WITH NAMES IS TOTAL BS! WHY DID THE COMMISSION ASKED FOR ELECTORAL REFORM MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHY DID THE OAS SUPPORT THE CALL FOR ELECTORAL REFORM? TO COME NOW ABOUT LAW THIS AND LAW THAT IS HOG DOWN TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND A TOTAL DISRESPECT TO US THAT KNOW BETTER SHAME! IT REMINDS ME OF THE SAME BS THAT OBTAINS AT THE IPO; ONLY IN DOMINICA MY FRIENDS.

    • Gary
      December 3, 2014

      Your expression of suspicion smelling a rat is all due to your partisan political beliefs suspending your ability to understand such matter, very sad. Your expectations is pointless because again it is all based on your tunnel vision. Why are you not looking at what The Law is as relating to this matter. Why are you suggesting circumventing The law to suit the propaganda fed to you.

      The matter regarding issuance of voter ID cards has has been dealt with, why beat a dead horse. The origin for such issue was political motivated propaganda to exploit a situation. which unfortunately you choose to believe without examining the facts regarding such mater. You live in a Country which is supposed to be a model for democracy, voters are not by Law requested to have voter ID cards does this means the electoral process is compromised. The issue surrounding such matter was a recommendation made by The OAS team monitoring the last election, this was not intended to be a call for electoral reform.This does not mean that The Government has to accept their recommendation, when there can be an other alternative, cost effective and accomplishing the same objective, The Government choose to issue National ID cards he The Election Commission was given the authority to supervise issuance of such cards. Your writing in Capitol Letters (shouting) is pointless and does not say anything sensibly other than someone venting an opinion based on partisan political belief which you are entitled to, that’s all it is

  51. maindesk
    December 2, 2014

    The number of voters on the electoral list has always been a national scandal and that this election cycle it now numbers more than the total population of the land is no surprise as it was heading that way since 2005 or earlier. The list tells us that we now have more than 72,000 persons 18 years and over on the island to vote this coming Monday yet the official population of the island including those 18 years old and over totals just a little more than 71,000 so how do we work out this arithmetic. The simple answer is we cannot because it seems the members of the Electoral Commission including those who represent the opposition party like it just the way it is. To add to this puzzle according to the reports of the Electoral Commission the number of voters in some of the previous elections are as follows:
    1990 – 33,693 voted from a list of 50,557 voters ,
    1995 – 37,187 from a list of 57,632 voters and 14 years later in
    2009 only 36,883 voters cast their votes from a list of 67,223
    Clearly the number of actual voters has remained at more or less the same between 33,000 to 38,000. The number of voters registered on the list however has moved at amazing speed from 50,557 in 1990 to the present more than 72,000. The Skerrit win in 2009 amounted to 22,262 votes or about 30% of the full list of 67,223. So on this coming election day December 8th we again go to the polls with a list that is flawed and though there has been so much protest and questions over the last ten years the present Electoral Commission has brushed this aside over and over again seemingly at the request of the rulers who like the list just as it is.
    Where does the other more than 30,000 voters on the list come from? Who are they and where do they live? 1995 elections

    • destroyers
      December 2, 2014

      Really! They are Dominicans who have lived in Dominica and may now live somewhere else in the world. they may have even recently moved. Now lets do the math. We let off annually about 1800 students who are either 17 turning 18 or just turning 18: If according to you “1995 – 37,187 from a list of 57,632 voters and 14 years later in
      2009 only 36,883 voters cast their votes from a list of 67,223” From 1995-2009 the list grew by only 9591 voters that only 685 voters per year significantly less than those who turn 18 annually. Now take for instance from October 1- November when the election date was announced over 2800 voter were registered. One can deduce that there are a significant number of unregistered voters on the list give or take a few who have died and not being removed. So as you can see there is no magic. Simply that through out each election as an elector is removed others that become eligible are registered and those that are still alive are guaranteed continued registration once registered.

    • domnik
      December 2, 2014

      Muy interesante

    • December 2, 2014

      Haitians, Santo Domingos/ans Chinese, and those who PURCHASED PASSPORTS but NEVER lived on the Island like the couple that used our name to enter the Olympic Village. All these people make up the difference in numbers. Did you not notice the Commission said “if a person lived on the Island for 12 Months, that person is QUALIFIED to vote.” In every Country a person MUST be a CITIZEN OF THE LAND to be QUALIFIED, but NOT our little Island, 12 Months is all it takes to vote.

    • December 3, 2014

      The Commission clearly states that the list is not a reflection of the population but a list of registered voters at home, new voters over the age of eighteen, and registered voters who no longer live in the country. A person determined to migrate to another country will not go through the legal process of having his name removed from the voters list because it is a tortuous process – like having your name removed from the telephone directory.

    • messenger
      December 3, 2014

      “The list tells us that we now have more than 72,000 persons 18 years and over on the island to vote this coming Monday yet the official population of the island including those 18 years old and over totals just a little more than 71,000 so how do we work out this “…..@ maindesk read and understand…”It went on to say, “In this context, it is evident that the Electors List is not intended to be a reflection of the number of persons who are resident in the State at any particular point in time. Instead, the list comprises of electors who reside in Dominica as well as those who are duly registered but are absent from Dominica for one reason or the other.”

  52. Anonymous
    December 2, 2014

    Do. You to be on island to register to vote? I know people who never came down to dominca I don’t know how the register in the US but there name are on the voters list to vote

    • Osanna Mowanga
      December 2, 2014

      please check the list for the former Parl Rep for Castle Bruce daughter. they living in St Thamas but i hear she come down and register and went back. Do all you home work. check the list carefully.

    • malpardee
      December 2, 2014

      I do not reside in Dominica. If I find out my name is on voter’s list, and anyone used my name to vote, bearing in mind that I have written evidence of this, I will not only take lawful action, against the culprits, but I will bring it to the attention of the public and write and article world wide and put the political system to shame.

      • destroyers
        December 3, 2014

        i doubt anyone have that name malpardee never saw that at the registry

  53. Oh No
    December 2, 2014

    This so- called “explanation” presented by the Electoral Commission is not very helpful. The Commission should remove all doubts and minimize all questionable inactions. Satisfying the law does not mean disregarding the legitimate concerns of citizens. This display of the lack of respect begs for help and more help.

    • Registerd voter
      December 2, 2014

      Are you implying that the concerns of a few is above the law? You need to elucidate bit more on that.
      Any additional information you need in respect to the presentation by the Electoral Commission is available for you to read. The constitution of Dominica is public information and readability available.
      If there is a need to amend the law there is a right way of doing it. So encourage your pal rep. to get in the house of assembly, make your concerns an agenda point and table a motion. ( A thing they hate to do. yo pas aime twavay)
      I you need names remove from the voters list then do the right things and follow the proper procedures and make it happen. The above can not be done on Q-FM and under the mango tree.

    • Is this reallyChange
      December 2, 2014

      Ridiculous. Everything must be done in accordance with the law of Dominica.

  54. Untruth & injustice
    December 2, 2014

    When Neo DLP id defeated and I honestly hope & pray despite me not being a fan of LL et AL.
    At this juncture we need a change until guys like Crispin Gregoire, Gabu Christian , The River Street Doctor ,Dr/Jugde Andre and the others in the Diaspora hook up with Behanzi etc and really put Skrit etc where they belong we need to get this boldheads out of the House that Johnson built.

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      Your prayers are in vain. God does not answer such prayers and not for the reason which is imbedded in your heart, discord and hatred. If you get your way, not that your prayers were answered, you will experience suffering for it. If you wish others harm, it falls right on you and two-fold.
      St. Paul said, “Bless people. Do not curse them.” This means not to wish them harm. He also said, “With the same mouth you bless God and you curse others.” It is in the Bible! Ask me. Is this right, godly and Christian-like? Why are some called hypocrites and Christian ones at that?

  55. so disappointed
    December 2, 2014

    Am Not Surprised, All Of Them So Getting Paid Off To Keep The List From Getting Clean Up . So long ppl asking about clean up for list on the eve of election he coming to say something.

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      Always negative.

  56. December 2, 2014

    So arcording to the ec my wife has not leaved in dominica for 14 years she is now an American citizen but she is registered to vote in dominica her name has never been removed from the list she can go to dominica on Monday. Vote and go back. Smh

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      Why not if she so wishes. It is obvious she must have voted in the past which is why her name is on the list.
      If such is the case, people leave D/ca and the government, for statistical purposes, does not know about it. They are still counted as residents. A system may not be in place to eliminate their names as not residing in Dominica. When they leave D/ca, immigration should ask them if they are migrating or going on vacation.
      Is there not a government department which keeps a record of nationals’ migration, visitors and those who go on vacation to return? In this way, the government will be able to keep a correct list of all nationals who reside in the country. Annually or semi-annually, a copy should be given to the Electoral Commission to update their records.

    • CYRIL Volney
      December 3, 2014

      Yes, if she is a CITIZEN of Dominica.

      • Papa Dom
        December 3, 2014

        Get out you JA?????. If she has never been to Dominica in 14 yrs she should not be on the list.

  57. Scrpit 4 Mr.Charles
    December 2, 2014

    The list needs to be purged(anyone on DNO’s readership seen the movie) after the list has been purged the electoral commissioner( Mr. Charles not Burton) et al needs an enema to bring down/deflate the barriga he ‘s got hanging over is it due to imported foods and beer? The sucker love food.
    Doctor’s Prescription deflate the belly and the electoral list LMAO

  58. December 2, 2014

    The Electoral Commission said. “The Electoral Commission has in the past detailed the efforts which it has made over the years to remove from the list names which by law ought to be removed and have also explained the procedure by which the general public, political parties and other stakeholders may assist, by filing with Registering Officers, the formal notices of objections prescribed by law.” Where? When? How?
    Furthermore, this is clearly a veiled admission that there ARE names on the list which should not be there by law. Why don’t we ask Anthony Astaphan and Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit why these names have yet to be removed despite the many efforts and requests made by the opposition! The Electoral Commission themselves were inclined to clean the voters list prior to the intervention of the two aforementioned individuals. Give us a break guys, you are playing into the hands of those who seek to control Dominica and all her institutions indefinitely!!!!

    • Gary
      December 3, 2014

      If you do not understand something that does not say it is so. When you make the statement quote “clearly a veiled admission that there ARE names on the list which should not be there by law.” how silly are you. In first place the names on The Electoral List were not put there arbitrarily, there is a procedure set out by Law to have someone qualified to be a voter whose name is placed on the Voters list. You also have to understand The Electoral Commission can not arbitrarily remove someone from the voters list by their own discretion, there is a procedure set out by Law to do such thing. If you know names on the list that should not be there why don’t you contact The Electoral Office. I’m sure they will listen you and guide you along the way to remove the names from the list , in the manner outlined following the The Law. You also must be remembered that it is silly by you to suggest that there are names on the list which should not be there by Law without getting your facts correct.

  59. A Doubting Thomas
    December 2, 2014

    How can people want to govern a country and know so little of the laws of the land is beyond comprehension. The UWP and their candidates who want to run in an election cannot be so clueless.

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      I do not think you know much about that. This is why governments have deputies and several departments. If the government, the leader wants to know something, the file must be requested and then it is looked over. You cannot expect the government to know every detail. The deputy usually apprises the leader of the information.
      UWP is not more intelligent than DLP. UWP has not yet gained power. Wait until this occurs, if ever and then after a few months you will make this comment. You are giving UWP credit which they have not yet been able to prove.

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      You must think before you comment. Furthermore, Linton admitted that their Manifesto contained errors. How about that? DLP’s Manifesto did not contain errors.

  60. hmmm
    December 2, 2014

    Boy all you fellas just wicked. Don’t you men have a conscience?

  61. Fed Up #1
    December 2, 2014

    As far as I am concerned the Electoral Commission is protecting the interest of the Labour Party and “self interest” in respect of certain members and not looking after the interest of Dominicans. You just have to listen to that tape of Tony Astaphans from 2008 or 2009, to understand how corrupt these institutions are. Despite recommendations from the observers after the 2009 elections, nothing was done as it is in the best interest of the Electoral Commission to keep this blotted list in order to push the agenda of the Labour Party. Then they come out to make statements to support their evil acts. Shameful!

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      Too many innuendos. Where will they get you?

  62. DA overs
    December 2, 2014

    I leave Da 21 years now my name on the list my grandmother die 19 years she still there for the Haition to vote on her name .

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      Have you formally informed the Electoral Commission about it? This is the problem with some of you. You love to criticize and talk, talk, talk but you do nothing about it. You want change but what type of change?

    • Interesting
      December 3, 2014

      Bring her death certificate to the commission and have her name removed, simple, what ignorance in my country. You can also renounce your citizenship and have your name of the list. So whats your problem.

    • joe
      December 3, 2014

      DA Over YOU MUST DO THE RIGHT THING CONTACT THE ELECTORAL OFFICE AND REMOVE YOUR NAME!!!!!
      And whilst you at it remove your granny and any other persons you know like you.

      You forget our voting processes i suspect, but if a Haitian comes in using your Granny name i am sure the Agents of both parties will raise a question and request an ID cause they will not allow under their watch persons come in and RIG the ELECTION!!!!!

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2014

      So why have you not asked for your name and your grandmother’s name to be removed by FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTIONALLY PRESCRIBED PROCESS? I will tell you why. You are making this up!

  63. corrupted
    December 2, 2014

    :?: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :?:

    • The Facts
      December 3, 2014

      YOU! :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  64. Papa Dom
    December 2, 2014

    Electoral commission, can you then explain whether the 5 year absence rule is still relevant? And if it does how and when does it apply.

    • MY VOTE
      December 2, 2014

      I agree with your query.
      Also, the Electoral Commission must outline the indications and process of objections to persons presenting to vote. What about they taking an oath and what is the consequence of lying under that oath?

      PLEASE BE TRANSPARENT WITH US DOMINICANS AND VOTERS!

      STOP BEING SELECTIVE ABOUT THE INFORMATION DISSEMINATED ABOUT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS!

  65. True colors
    December 2, 2014

    If Dominica’s population is 70K, our adult,voting population must be about 40K at best. So we have over 30K names on the list?? Really?? Failed institutions=failed states.

    This election will determine if Dominica slips into the “dark ages” relying on religion, magic and superstition, instead of systems, logic and reason to develop our land!

    • Me
      December 2, 2014

      You fail to realize that this list has been in existence for the past 35 years or so (I stand corrected). This means that persons have been added to the list since 35 years ago. Remember even if you migrate to another country, your name still remains on the list. Even considering those persons who have died, you must admit that the numbers added to the list are much more than the numbers removed.

      Having said this, it is not impossible for the list of registered voters to be more than the current population.

      Look at it this way. 35 years ago, only my parents could vote. They have had 10 kids since then. That’s 10 votes added to the 2 which brings it to 12. THe 10 kids have 16 grandkids among them. 10 of them can now vote. That’s not 22 on the list. However, of those 22, only 5 of us reside in DA permanently. But all 22 are registered voters.

      Hope you understand.

      • True colors
        December 3, 2014

        What I understand is that based on your scenario, only 5 should be on the list, but since the EC is not held accountable for doing its job, no one is ever purged as the law dictates. so in 35 more years the list will double in size while the population increases by 10%….all to help politicians stay in power!

      • The Facts
        December 3, 2014

        Interesting! Consider all of us who reside abroad. It is worth looking into just for the records, not criticism. Again, as I have stated, is the government aware that they are not residing in D/ca which is why they are still on the list? When I return home I must look into this. All those abroad should do likewise.

    • ras
      December 2, 2014

      True colors, have you scrutinized the list of electors? And have you filed any objection with the Electoral Commission relating to names of persons listed who in your opinion do not qualify as an elector? How many times do we have to be told of the provisions of the relevant laws governing elections in Dominica.
      How on earth does the the composition of the current list of electors compiled in strict compliance with the relevant legislation translate into “failed institution = failed state”
      It is amazing how some people can allow their judgement to be so clouded by their political affiliation.
      I have full confidence in the integrity of the Electoral Commission under the leadership of a respected and independent legal practitioner.

      • True colors
        December 3, 2014

        “Ras” bredren, explain to me how should I go about scrutinizing the list? At best, I may know 5 people who should be struck from the list. What about the ~30,000+ others? Should I quit my job, and devote my life to this exercise when the EC members are PAID (by MY tax dollars) to do this very work?

        The EC, in an earlier article, said they meet monthly with the registry to remove deceased people from the list. Why aren’t they meeting with immigration or whichever ministry handles the movement of people in and out of the country? We need systems that work in this country, everything is upside down and done to favor those with power and money. Dominica is too small for this Animal Farm nonesense! To think we have to argue whether a public entity should do its job or not! Ridiculous!

      • Barbara Saunders
        December 3, 2014

        Ras,

        Both you and the electoral Commission are wasting your time because the commission has been explaining these things for a while now. These people have to hold on to their hate platform so you can explain until you are blue in the face or red as the case may be they will not understand.

        I agree that measures must be taken to clean up the list but the people who are shouting for it to be cleaned refuse to follow the legal process to have it cleaned. It is more exciting to shout epithets at the commission which incidentally includes two UWP nominees and play on people’s emotions to build up hatred and animosity until candidates of the UWP want to “take them out” and people are here making fun of the anatomy of Mr. Burton in their posts.

        When my Father God, the Almighty tells me when I stand before Him, that what is going on here is right, I will accept, until then, for me, it cannot be the end justifies the means, so I cannot accept that people must mash up airport, mash up the police and public service, mash up institutions, mash up reputations, mash up everything and everybody who doesn’t worship at their feet, all in the name of getting into office.

    • ras
      December 2, 2014

      True colors, have you scrutinized the list of electors? And have you filed any objection with the Electoral Commission relating to names of persons listed who in your opinion do not qualify as electors? How many times do we have to be told of the provisions of the relevant laws governing elections in Dominica.
      How on earth does the the composition of the current list of electors compiled in strict compliance with the relevant legislation translate into “failed institution = failed state”
      It is amazing how some people can allow their judgement to be so clouded by their political affiliation.
      I have full confidence in the integrity of the Electoral Commission under the leadership of a respected and independent legal practitioner.

  66. Truth and Justice
    December 2, 2014

    The UWP must respect the laws until it is changed. they cannot accuse people of things if it is not so. The law of the land is the law of the land, and if they lose the election they must respect that also.

    • famalay
      December 2, 2014

      alas u get two bags cement

    • Untruth & injustice
      December 2, 2014

      what ignorance! Are U an Austrie? from cottage not castle Bruce
      No wonder Skrit got into power due to idiots like thou. You are a disgrace to civility moron.

      • Shabbeh
        December 3, 2014

        SMH..people like allu dat ignorant…Because de man speaks his mind he is a Moron?..smh….

      • The Facts
        December 3, 2014

        Do you think you should call this person idiot? How would you like to be called idiot? Are you not the one who is an idiot for not voting for DLP? :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

      • Too Hard Too Long
        December 3, 2014

        As usual, if you don’t agree with the person, you attack.

  67. True colors
    December 2, 2014

    The Electoral Commission is supposed to be the “referee” ensuring that neither political party abuses the electoral laws.

    DNO– it would be helpful if you could link to the place/article where “The Electoral Commission has in the past detailed the efforts which it has made over the years to remove from the list names which by law ought to be removed…”

    I am really curious to know of these efforts, because we cannot hold the general public, political parties or “other stakeholders” accountable for removal of names on the list. It is the EC we can hold accountable as this is their daily function. So they should outline what is the exact process in which they clear the names on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis. THEY OWE US THAT MUCH!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available