Former Acting Chief Justice Sir Brian Alleyne has criticized the use of the corporate sector to pump millions of dollars into election campaigning.
Alleyne, who spoke at Forum for Good Governance recently, believes that this corrupts the entire electoral process
“I don’t know if any of you saw it but on Sunday night Ron Saunders was on CMC Television and he spoke about the corporate capture of the electoral process where corporations pour millions of dollars into election campaigns for one party or another and that facilitates the buying of votes, it facilitates the bringing in of voters who are not qualified to vote,” he stated.
“And of course, these people who put all that money into the electoral process won their reward. They don’t do it out of the kindness of their heart, they want their reward. So when you win you can expect to have to take back and that corrupts the whole electoral process, it corrupts the whole process of governance,” he said.
BRAIN ALLYNE HAVE NO MORAL ATHOURITY TO SPEAK ON DIS DUAL CEITZON TOPPIC. HE ENJOYS HIS AS A MINISTER FOR 15 YEARS. AN FOR ANOTHR YEAR AS AN MP 4 MAHO B4 D BYELECTION WEN HE DIDNT VOTE 4 BOSSO. SO TEL HIM ITS TO LATE 4 D MOOMOO TO TALK. AND D UWP ASKIN 4 PM TO REFUND ALL D MONEY HE RECEIVE S A MP. Y DAY NOT ASKIN D MOOMOO TO BRING BACK HIS 4 D 16 AN HALF YRS HE WAS A DUAL CITEZON OF ST VINCENT? AFTER MY PRIME MINISTER ALL U B.WELL HE IS COVERED UNDER JESUS BLOOD. WE WONT EVEN HAVE TIME TO DEAL WIT ALL U WEN ALL U TRYIN TO EAT UP HIS FLESH. IF GOD GIVE US A CHNCE TO PROTECT OUR PM I CAN ASSURE U AL, D BALANCE OF D UWP IN DOMINICA IS ENOUGH TO GO IN D GARBAGE BINS WE HAV BY OUR VILLERS. BUT GOD IS ALREADY PROTECTIN HIM. LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR POWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR IN ALL U FACE
People, there is no need to kill the messenger. This concern is of interest in established as well as developing democracies. Political contributions by corporations or interest groups such as unions and professional organizations do not necessarily threaten democracy. Perhaps the key concern is that large contributions ($’s) can result in undue influence being exerted over elected governments?
When a people no longer want to hear the truth..something is dangerously wrong… as it is in Dominica. They have become used to accepting lies..handouts..all reasoning have abandoned them. What has this society come to. Do these people parading their ignorances and their lack of capable judgement not care even for their children and the future.
These brain-dead people deserve the government they have. I really do not know why people are bothering to educate these tribal fools.
since u hear topics about good governance…certain bloogers get vex……hahahahah
I am not so much concerned about corporate donations to election campaigns. My major concern is DISCLOSURE of where the funds are coming from.
If the funds are raised locally, I see no problems with that (at least for now). What I absolutely do not want is foreign governments pumping money into local parties to influence the election results.
And every penny raised and the donors should be reported. There should also be very heavy penalties for violating the campaign finance rules.
Mr Alleyne you are very right sir. IT is called in the real world ”QUID PRO QUO”
Anytime you question the status quo, you attack the conspiracy theory.
What disqualifies them sir? Is it because they are leaving outside of Dominica? Well you of all persons should know that they are just as qualified as those of us living in Dominica. As long as you are on the list you re entitled to vote.
So I guess you would have to prove that they stayed out of Dominica for more than 5 years. Please tell the people what the rules are sir. Don’t tell the opposition what they want to hear.
why cant we all be objective on issues. it seems like mister Alleyne has become like a devil. why is that so? simply because he has chose to stand up for what is right. for this reason and only this reason some of you blinded political idiots drag him to the gutter.
i have no issues with people supporting there parties, what i do have a problem with is when people become so blinded , so foolish, that they loose all sense of reasoning, all sense of good judgement.
what has mister alleyne said that would deserve him being drag to the gutter. i would think that we all would subscribe that we should not have used 22 million dollars to campaign and that persons who donate these large sums of money to political parties always look for something in return.
The recent Antigua election was funded by the US… they pumped millions so that they could destroy allen sanford…
but before that, mammo used US and local business funding also, and if you can remember the Grenada coupe the monies that the US paid her to pay the Dominican Police Officers who risked their lives was used to run her 85 campaing.. may her soul rest in peace….
it is clear that mr alleyne was unbiase, but get real, no campaign cannot run without funding, russian, US, british, chinese, tiwanies, venezuelan, morocian, cuban, lybian, dubian, you cannot stop the flow so get real…. or dont run for elections
That does not present a solution to the problem. It’s a lazy and ignorant response.
Oh and to add. Exactly the same thing happens in Britain and America and the rest of the so called first world. Personally I would much rather private funding for campaigns rather than tax payers money. The problem is not who funds, but how much funding. Should there be a maximum allowed for each contributor? It’s about structure, not where the funding comes from. Everyone knows that the Astaphans and Nassiefs run the country. Cap their contributions and get smaller contributers to invest as well. This way there is a level playing field.
What Brian Alleyne want noh? When they had get the money for the Grenada fiasco and use it to campaign what he was calling dat?
Brian is a man i grew up around. I was always around him and he sort of had an influence on me and my entire family when it comes to shaping and influencing us. Honestly, when times got hard he decided to leave Dominica and well done because he became successful. But when he could make a change, when he could stand a fight for his country, he decided to leave. If he loved Dominica and Dominicans so much, why not do what Skerrit allegedly did and renounce your citizenship. Why come back now? I have to wonder my old friend and mentor, what is in it for you?
so the truth is what you say it is!
why do we have to politicise everything? Should this guy sit on a sideline and not speak if people ask him to be a speaker at a forum? I do not see him criticising a PARTY but a PROCESS…and he is not the first. Of course campaigns need financing. It happens all over the world..yes!! But, in the US, for example, what they do to OPEN the process and make it TRANSPARENT, is that the candidates/party must declare the source of their funding, and only a certain percentage can come from outside of the State… the point is that we are a new and growing democracy, and we should look at our systems and MAKE THEM WORK FOR US. Did you also hear when this SAME MAN said that he thought the OPPOSITION WAS WRONG/FOOLISH to boycott Parliament? Come on Dominicans… stop getting so defensive and let us fix our systems. Another government will be in power one day and we will wish we had done it in our time!!!
I agree with you Reason, but we are talking about Dominicans. These people have a limited capacity to think and be reasonable. Right is right, wrong is wrong.
stay in the US
THE MOOMOO TALKING AGAIN, he could not say a word when Eugenia was there,he was appointed “Interim LEADER” .WE CAN SEE THROUGH hIm. UWP criticized him so much when he was appointed on the ECSC.All Parties are funded either directly or indirectly. Why am I seeing “SOUR GRAPES”?
BRIAN,I WOULD LIKE YOU TOO FORM A PARTY,I HAVE A NAME FOR YOU ,RUNNING MOUTH PARTY.
How fortunate that the Freedom Party had the CIA and Ronald Reagan to pay for their campaigns in the 80’s!
Are all this targeting Rossevelt Skerrit?
Lord, I declare that no weapons formed against Roosevelt Skerrit will prosper. Father, protect our Honorable Prime Minister and guard him with your angels. Amen.
Mr Alleyne do not worry your head.Ask the hundreds of them what has skero done for them,but the next election it will not happen again the US government is reading all of it.they have it coming.
IN his days of politics where he won three times –wonder if any business gave himm campaign funding–maybe he talking from his own experience and took so long to warn the parties —nice hypocract that ,quite laughable——–Really did absolutely zap=nothing=nada of note in his time of representative
True comments and logical to expect that ,,,happens in all Democracies—-even in USA….NOT SURE IF ANY SOLUTION EXIST SINCE HE DIDINOT FOWARD ANY—-maybe in his three-times repr in the Mahaut
I NEVER KNEW DOMINICA HAD THIS MUCH MILLIONIARES..
Simple prostitution of .
Our national resources :quarries/ geothermal/ fisheries
our non tendered road/ colas contracts
our territorial seas,
our votes in the UN: against human rights, nuclear proliferation
Access to our markets: NAFTA/ CARICOM/ OECS
Our inheritance paid for by the BLOOD of our Ancestors.
That happens when we have illegal persons as leaders with foreign allegiance
I second the motion.We need an overhull.Skerrit James Green etc can take their haitians and chinese with them when they are leaving our shores ,So we can start anew. Do I hear yeh’s?
Call on our good men at home and the diaspora dual citizens minus these current duals this present bunch of crooks who would give up their US, French just to be in power and instead found themselves in powder or should i say doodoo?Skerrit James Ron green isidore etc are manifestations of what has gone wrong in Da.Almost forgot- The opportunist lawyers business men and women who support the various sides of DA’s corrupt entities must go too we need a fresh start.
That’s the way the music go doudou. Dance M. Alleyne
he just want a JOB….cut him some slack peeps and refer him to my leader…..HON. Skerrit.
dominicans,please read to yourselves and understand what you reading before commenting, so you won,t appear to be dohtish thats the reason you all doh see the reason for skerritt to resign although he broke the #1 law of the land. read and understand what was said before commenting. now jump on me
the more u educate some Dominicans the more foolish they respond to everything. Make some intelligent comment or shut up some of u using this medium make fools of yourselves
your P.m and ministers perfect ejs. right?
A campaign without funding will not get you noticed.
Anyone running for anything (be it politics, beauty pagant etc) requires funding. The ones doing the funding are always rich/well off individuals/businesses. They will always want something in return. No one is going to part with their hard earned money just from the goodness of their hearts.
Campaigners need money for advertising, travel, printing and lots more. Are they meant to use their own monies for this, I don’t think so. If that was the case, then there would be a lot of candidates who would never have reached their goals.
Does Sir Alleyne have an alterative, because if he does, he should share it with the rest of the world, as funding is a international thing.
People! people! people, come on, be rational, don;t you think that the people have a right to know where these ten of millions of dollars come from for the labor party campaign and transportation of overseas Dominicans from all over the world.. Are you people kidding me, lambasting Sir Allyene for asking this very important questions? My only concern is why now. These questions and concerns should have been addressed during the elections.. People Dominica may have been sold under all you feet and all you duh even know it.. Be thankful if the tens of millions of dollars came from Dominican businesses and not unscreupulous people who will eventually come like Sherlocc with his scale to take his pound of flseh closer to Dominca’s heart… Alas, I feeling soory for all you.. Thanks Sir Alleyne for raising these concersn, better late than never, even if I do beleive you should have addressed it much earlier! Have a meryy Chrismas, a bright, prosperous and ENLIGHTENED new year…
WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS ‘TIS FOLLY TO BE WISE. There are all kinds of people, with all kinds of thoughts in this world. But when truth is told do not try to reap it up to shreds. Try burying the TRUTH and surely it will resurrect someday. Many countries,.political parties, leaders ET al have been bought for the dollars dangling in their eyes. Entire elections could be bought and have been bought by those with plenty, plenty, plenty money. History has proven that. Big, big Corporate bodies- Big businesses of all sorts, as well as large, large land owners, ‘friendly’ foreign countries’ and professionals have pumped hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars into the campaigns of political parties, not for real development of the country, but for KICK BACKS, to reap the respective country of twice or thrice the amount they put into those election campaigns.
While the ordinary poor people jump and wave, wanting to cut their necks for their party of choice, but cannot give any funds, they at the end get NOTHING. In some case they might be lucky to get some CRUMBS. It is those who give massive funds, expecting their party to win, that benefit BIG TIME, if and when the party gets into Govt. With NO TRANSPARENCY, their companies manipulate and bend politicians and Govt. hands for the projects and businesses. They sometimes form companies when the party wins to reap off the millions from Govt. projects and businesses.
When those Big money funders give the party hugh sums of money, tell me if they could be refused projects or businesses. That is why many times, National projects are not OPENLY TENDERED so that other companies could get a fair chance to bid for those projects. It is happening in big broad daylight in Dominica. Who could refute that there are No TRANSPARENCY, NO ACCOUNTABILITY in MANY National PROJECTS. JOB and BIG MONEY FOR THE BOYS. If you or your company do not support the Party or Govt. CRAPAUD SMOKE YOUR PIPE. VICTIMIZATION LIKE PEAS.
LAWS must be put in place to regulate the amount of funds any one Co. or individual could give. Otherwise the country and its citizens, after election, is at the mercy of those who dish out the BIG BUCKS. Imagine in Dominica, $20,000,000.00 plus for an election campaign? For what? To do what? To BRIBE the electorate? For free travel tickets, drinks, food, cigarette and material stuff?
Meantime, information , political education, debates or serious discussions on important national issues take a back seat. The majority of people vote without knowing what they are voting for. Nothing to do with the issues of the day. How many debates did we witness or were organised during the election campaign of December 2009? In fact, the leader of the DLP after accepting to debate with the other leaders of parties refused to participate in any debate. Imagine that my people. He cowered in fear of dealing with the issues of development of the country. Instead, BLING BLING and PARTY. Nothing of substance to INFORM people.
People are FOOLED BIG TIME. They do not vote from an informed position, but bamboozled by BLING, BLING and CRAP. A classic Example occured in Dominica last election. The National Radio Station was closed to opposition parties to air their views, instead of carrying out programmes to educate the people. WHAT A SHAME. A BIG SHAME in an AGE of increased COMMUNICATION. Didn’t the present DLP Govt. agree to that mischievous arrangement? Did they deny people the right to impart and to receive information?
That is why ELECTORAL REFORM IS SO NECESSARY. BUT again who is BLOCKING that plan to ensure our ELECTIONS are FREE and FAIR? Dominicans are not foolish. We know who and we know why? Govts and countries are definitely controlled by BIG CAMPAIGN FINANCIERS. We must STOP THAT NOW or be DOOMED and ENSLAVED all over AGAIN.
Of course there is a need for campaign finance regulations in Dominica.
Without regulations the system will most definitely be abused .
PPL who visit DNO seem to have wedgies everytime someone makes a comment … why must it always be political…? can we not have objective discourse ?
MEN YOU NEED TO SHUT UP PEOPLE LIKE YOU PUT METER ON WATER IN DOMINICA WHEN YOU WAS IN POWER .
anytime an educated person say something empty vessels rumble…
like you
What he is saying is no secret. If I contribute to the party for elections, I expect to be rewarded in some way. Some law some ordinance.
Is this guy this naive, this is how it works. Money talks.
What was his solution instead of this? They offer nothing – All of them complain but offer no alternatives.
I do not mind someone complaining about anything, but at least offer
This guy asked the PM and others to become President when Mr. Liverpool leaves. They told him no way….and now he is mad. So what else to do than join UWP and DFP in complaining about the Government.
This is a disgruntled old man who speaks now more than when he was in office.
Good luck Brian, if the UWP gets into office, do you think you’ll be their first choice for President?
I just cannot understand you all in Dominica. Anytime somebody raises concerns about the political culture in Dominica, you guys are taking it personal and start to attack the person. Here you calling him “Disgruntled Old Man.” Do we not have a right to disagree without taking it personal? Brian is a Politician and what do you expect of him? I believe we all have a right to disagree and we ALL have a right to support our party, but we should all respect one another’s point of view.
He “asked” the PM???!! PLEASE. The newspapers named him as one of the potential candidates. He is probably happy he wasn’t appointed, coz at least now he can open his mouth with no allegiance to anybody, and he doesn’t have to be a MOO MOO again….
where were you all along Mr.Brian Alleyne? you were saying nothing but now all of a sudden your mouth running like a pipe open. please think before you talk. and who ever is using you tell them that you are not their puppet. so cut the strings man
My take too but this guy ought toshut the …………….up. I am not here shooting the messenger but this guy is wanting. he should keep himself out of the equation for good where was he when his knowledge and services were needed?These simple humans should shut the F -up and stay away from the process it’s too late for their contributions. This is a battle D/cans patriots have to fight themselves not these don’t care opportunists. He is doing the same damn thing he maynard and mamo did in 80.They allowed DLM formerly MND do all the ground workand when PJ was taken out the were most organized wickedly won the elections on the communist boggy and stayed in power for 15 yrsbefore the idiotsUWP accidently fooled a tired of letdown population.
It is interesting to note that the Maynards the Alleynes whites, Mamo etc were the very ones who groomed the Crayfish from VC who eventually infiltrated the DLP and transforming DA into the lawless narco state it has become.My question to brian is there a new thrust like 1980? An opportune moment?
What did you say…lol?
westai, coutai, zon kai tan. Agenda, agenda, agenda!
LOOKOUT MY PEOPLE THIS MAN IS A TROUBLE MAKER,, MORE TOO COME,
Hypocrite!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about the $100,000 us from Ragan, you said nothing then. SIR.
why does any politician need millions of dollars to campaign in da
i ask myself the same damn question
Well Mr. Alleyne makes good sense and i suspect that he has decided to make a comeback. let’s give the Freedom party real legs and lets see where we go from there. We are in need of a strong opposition in this country sir.
But wait, were you not recently contracted by the Government of Belize to seat as a Judge?
Brio are you resurecting the Freedom Party?
If thats what he is doing then that is GREAT NEWS for Dominica. Kuddos to the Chief Justice!
Are you saying then that every party that had private sector, sponsor/donor, support was bought? where should campaign finances come from or should it be done for candidates own pockets? Should there be a ceiling for funding?
if so…how much? How would you justify that figure.
The democrats and obama spent over 30 million dollars more than his opponents in campaign..Are you saying that Obama was bought or sold too?
Just asking…(y’all don’t quite need to jump on my back)
Mr Alleyne should there be no campaign so no funding? or who should or not fund election campaign. I am a little confused. So again what is this one now about campaign funds? No funds then one cannot campaign. :
Okay something is behind this. All of a sudden this man is making all those comments about stuff that makes NO sense. This is regular practice everywhere in the world where election is held i don’t see your point Brian. Talk about something that make some sense.
Sir Alleyne made all of those comments at a recent forum. DNO is just extracting different sections of his speech to bring to our attention. The article (like the others in the last few days) clearly state the context.
Your brain is an empty room with air only,that’s why something as critical as election financing makes no sense to you..
You are right.
Jim you should invest in a TV and watch CNN or BBC
Tell me more
You a becoming a nuisance Mr. Alleyne.
But where did Mr. Alleyne resurrect from? I think it is best if you go back in your resting place.
Sir Alleyne made all of those comments at a recent forum. DNO is just extracting different sections of his speech to bring to our attention. The article (like the others in the last few days) clearly state the context. So stop acting like Sir Alleyne is just coming to the media daily to speak.
The real 100% Dominican and Proud you sound like a broken record
Brian are you seating on your brain now? How can a party win an election without campaign funding. Do you think our uwp will win anything if we don’t get monies from Brisbane and our supporters???
Is that what the Chief Justice is Saying? Man please– this is sickening……
Well said Sir Brian..Dominica could well be the example that comes to everyones mind.
DID HE SAY THAT ANOTHER UNEDUCATED DOMINICAN. I GUESS MAYBE YOU JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
back in the day didn’t reagan have a play freedom party even in the us the same thing happening
am not saying its rite any mabe i was to young so i might be wrong sir bryan was part off freedom
guess that never happen in his time d man smart he talking in parable i have to bow to him thats
a smart guy
HERE HE GOES AGAIN!!!!!! Sacweyee tonyeee……..