Political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Edison James, is concerned that the Electoral Commission is not listening to other parties and organizations as it moves ahead with its plans to implement multi-purpose national ID cards in Dominica.
James said the UWP has been making representation on the matter since 2005 and in a letter written to the UWP, the commission indicated that it will be having discussions with the public and other organizations on the implementation of the cards.
“If the Chief Election Officer say they going to have the cards issued by October, three or four months to go, the commission will have to indicate what is its timetable and in fact set a timetable that will allow them to take in the views of those people and organizations which they indicate they will have discussion,” James told DNO.
James stated that it appears the commission is being driven by what the Labour Party wants. “It is not taking the view of the other side,” he stated. “Either the Electoral Commission acts on its own independently or it is getting its position from the Labour Party …. it must get positions from the other parties involved.”
He noted that the commission might be compromising itself in terms of the provision of the constitution “which said it must not be directed by any person or organization when doing its work.”
“Its work here as far as election is concerned is to provide ID cards for voting,” James said. “There is a view that it should not contaminate that central function by coming under the directions and controls of any other body.”
He is also concerned about an enrolment excercise which he said the commission will be undertaking as it implements the ID cards. He said the enrolment excercise is not compulsory and there could be a “ridiculous situation” where some people will have cards to vote and others will not. “That will lead to complications,” he stated.
James pointed out that the commission will be carrying out the enrolment excercises in certain capitals around the world to ensure ‘fairness’ in the implementation of the cards. But he argued that ‘fairness’ cannot be assured if the excercise is carried out only in certain cities. “How are you going to assure fairness if you go only to, say, New York or Washington and you don’t go to Alaska, Detroit or Miami,” he stated. “If you go to London, how is it going to be fair for Dominicans who do not live in London?”
He said the World Bank, which is funding the implementation of the cards, must pay attention to the concerns of other organizations in Dominica. He said these organizations should send representatives to the island to discuss with various stakeholders how the program is being implemented. “They need to be careful that they are not associating themselves with a program that is being implemented in a manner that will not address the question of free and fair election which I suspect they want addressed,” he said.
Last week Chief Elections Officer Stephen LaRocque, said the multi-purpose cards will be introduced on the island by October this year.
He pointed out that the introduction of the cards is in keeping with a project approved by the World Bank for Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the island contributing US $785, 000 to have it implemented.
OK, let us follow Edison james’ idea. PM Skerrit go print a separate Voter ID Card. then do the national ID. Just make sure that thos eof us in the diaspora get our voter ID Card too. Eddi’s only concern is not for a voter’s ID Card, allhe and his party wants is to remove our names from the voters list simply because most of us are not domicile in Dominica and some of us have not returend to the jurisdiction for five consecutive years. I have been living outside of Dominica for the past twenty five years. I have been back and forth in Dominica at least every two years. I have invested in properties in Dominioca. The law states that it is properly legal for me to remain on the voters list. I intend to properly scrutinize the list so that my name is not removed. It is my right.If i am encouraged to invest, why shouldn’t I participate in the process of selecting who should lead this country? there are many others like me out there.
I am reminded too of a ruling by the eastern caribbean Court of Appeal in a matter in nevis concerning the procedure to be employed to remove electors from the list. I must first be told of the compliant to remove my name from the list and who is making that complaint. I must be given an opportunity to be heard to say why my name should not be removed from the list. It is reasonable to conclude that those making the case for my name to be removed have to provide justification such as my absence from the jurisdiction beyond the statutory, in excess limitation withouit coming back to Dominica. the question remains. What system is in place in Dominica that captures the information about my extended absence from Dominica before coming back? Can the Ed cards do that? Whatis the relationship between the Immigration Office and the Electoral Office? I shall vote next election. By the way wwe did not even conside r the cost of producing two separate ID Cards. Is a national ID Card a priority?
Mr. Edison James, wasnt it you who requested the voters ID card???? Now that they are on stream you are trying to find a problem. What will be your next issue Mr. James? Nothing seems to please you not until the UWP takes over the Labor Party. Mr. James, I urge you to take a seat and rest yourself and let the LAbor Party do what they have to do. Gosh man!
Mr.James i think its time you take a break. I guess because it is called “opposition” thats the reason u oppose everything that was not done by u. Maybe there is a need to change it from “opposition” to something like “minority” which will then have them a lilttle more conscious of their position.
There is nothing wrong with the concept of the ID card, actually it is a brilliant idea. In reading the headlines it says that Mr. James is concerned about the implementation of the cards which indicates to me that he has endorsed the idea of the cards, but has to find fault with some aspect of the project so that he can remain relevant.
The electoral commission is out of it depth. They have no authority to get involve in national ID. How is the electoral commission getting involve in issuing UD to people in NEW YORK, BOSTON, CHINA OR DUBAI. The concerned people should file an injunction in the courts to prevent any election without the sanitation of the voting process. Mr Laroque actually said ” the government has decided” but Mr Laroque know very well that the electoral commission cannot be controlled by any government , party, senior counsel or otherwise.
The beauty of Mr. Lennox Linton is that he does not only talk, but he puts pen on paper.Mr. James can talk until the red cow jumps over the moon,Skerrit will not listen. Mr. James must get all organizations that deal in free and fair elections involved,maybe Skerrit might put his dictatiorial behavior aside and listen to the people.
mr james ,this is not a skerrit project,it’s the oecs funde by the world bank,your objections have no merit.you were asking for it all the time now that it’s almost here you have objects.what’s your problem sir?
Mr. James, you and your party’s plans to frustrate overseas based Dominicans from voting in our election will not work. You had the opportunity to do that years ago, but you chose rather to attempt at jerymandeering the constituency boundaries. Your views willbe heard. It does not mean the process has to stop because your views have not been heard. Anyway your view point on “cleaning up the voters list” is illegal and not in keeping with a recent court decision on the process to be used when “cleaning up the voters list”.
These are genuine concerns raised by Mr. James. How Mr Larouque can be talking about Formalities, when there are several concerns that have not been addressed? Why the chairman of the Electoral Commission didnt speak to the media instead of Larocque?
Please be sober and look at the rush to undermine the democratic process. Edison is not the problem. We are…SMH
why must we in dominica always look to follow what others is doing . why can’t we have a multi-purpose ID card that have your voter ID# ,, SS# and other information that will have more than one use , . we don’t need 1,2,3,4 different ID cards ,because other country have one for every different thing …come on
One cannot use an national ID card to vote I have an ID card and I cannot use it to vote because I have another Card for voting only Dominicans get smart since you believe that national ID card is the way to go why dont you use your social security of drivers licence cards to vote do you all see how foolish the discussion is Larouque should not be heading that task office he is singing for his super.
D’icans should ask youselves a question why is the Govt going against the instrutions of the election observers that they brought down to D’ica to over see the election ” WHY” if Larouque cannot do his job he should step down.
well mr james here it comes you have been asking for it the longest time .its right at your front door now .hope you a ready as you said you are.
DNO, again you folks are showing how one-sided you are. Why don’t you allow my comments to be posted.
If you continue to do that, I’ll hit you on some other Caribbean network.
does any member of caricom use voter id cards?
LOL. I doh hear Mr. Prevost resigned from the party nah? Somebody plz tell me. Alo for Roseau lol
I listened to the Chief Elections Officer last night on Marpin news. He seems to be channelling the Government’s position. He said the Government decided on the national id card and gave the Commission the responsibility for managing it. He sounded like a civil servant working in a ministry rather than someone with gravitas occupying a Constitutionally independent position.
Well it Seems even when Eddison Not in Power he want to control Dominica and dictate what should happen and when, that is a serious diseases de man have and it spread too, well Eddison you had power you play with power Roosevelt Skerrit TAKE OVER.God is in Control NOT YOU, Sit and look at de little boy teach you how to run de Country, hahahahahahahah…..OH! And you must stop telling lies ok Sir James my foot
What a load of drivel, clearly the reason why lemmings jump over clifts.
too many cards in a wallet National ID all the way.
This labor party regime, has an obsession to win at any cost. They have no regard for the constitution and their leader have expressed these sentiments in the past.
Of course they want to win at any cost. They know that they have to stay there to keep all their dirty tricks, and dirty money secrete.
They know if they get out is Stock Farm for the rest of their life or foreign in exile, like Idi.
voter ID cards or national ID cards.. whatever you want to call it, we taking all 21 seats next time…
and that’s why you will remain in DA because only ignorant persons like you make statements like that now answer this why do we have Electoral Officer why do we have Larouque on the job he is useless.
With a national ID Card, ALL Dominicans can get one whereas a Voter ID Card, ONLY those eligible to Vote will possess one.
Mr.James what you really want nor. is like you talking and you saying nothing.
James and Skerrit can go to any country out there without any difficulty and live but you cannot so stop trying to kill the messager look at the message instead fight for your rights dont you think that it must have a reason why Larouque and the Govt dont want us to have Voters ID Card.
The cards are to be implemented along with about 4 other OECS countries. If voter ID instead of mulitpurpose UD should be issued, then Mr. James should perhaps team up with other opposing groups outside Dca and do a televised documentary.
UWP Dominica can’t be the only dissenting voice.. in 4 countries or something wrong.
It’s not a Mr.James thing is’t all of us we have to stand up for our rights.
Voter Id card is different from national ID card; A voter id Card is a simple paper card that can be renewed every 5 years. Upon voting an ID must a also be presented.
Nowhere do people vote with a national ID card.
A national ID card is used in St. Kitt’s for voting
A passport can be use as an ID card but a voting card can not be used as an ID card . I would like Dominicans to remember before 18/12/2009 the PM said he was going to win 18 seats and it turned out to be just that and remember not to long ago he mentioned this time he is going to win 21 seats so voters card could make win 10 seats so if you were in his place what would you do
Well we going to start to vote with it . CASE CLOSED!!!!!
@ WHO VEX VEX. Your case that close. Your block headed fool.Go to School.SOT!
In Boston, I present a Drivers Licence to ID me when I go to vote.
well mr james as you say election is calling in august, but you did not say which august, so if the card is not good enough for you and the uwp, just don’t go to the polls and pappy will be the oposition? lol
James, make life easy for all including yourself. What is the problem and yours? If you object to the PM’s implementation of ID cards, my suggestion to you is to inform him that “only” Dominican born nationals and those who are naturalized citizens should be entitled to them. Those who are residents “in name”, having only a landed status should not qualify for an ID Card unless they become naturalized citizens. Due to their status they are not able to vote and should not vote. Simple and easy isn’t it?
Organization is absolutely necessary. A national register is required for citizens and non-citizens. Records are computerized. Therefore, this should not be a problem to identify citizens and non-citizens in order to issue the ID Cards.
National ID cards are permanent. Voters’ cards do not appear to be permanent and will be expensive to renew and print new cards.
You make some of us who reside abroad feel they should return to Dominica and govern/lead this place to set matters right that Dominicans could benefit from.
Our vision, exposure, experience, expertise and progress for a better Dominica which will benefit nationals are different from yours.
There is too much nonsense and opposition occurring in this land which lead to nowhere.
These are genuine concerns raised by Mr. James. How Mr Larouque can be talking about Formalities, when there are several concerns that have not been addressed? Why the chairman of the Electoral Commission didnt speak to the media instead of Larocque?
Please be sober and look at the rush to undermine the democratic process. Edison is not the problem. We are…SMH
Edo, national id card or voters id card, can we really go to every city where there is a Dominican? While you are saying that the commission should be independent you seem to want to dictate to it and direct it.
Edo election is around the corner don’t waste time on trivialities and then get caught one more time with your pants down. Remember you have three seats to try to keep and Angelo not helping you. By the way when is our party convention to put you back as leader?
BOY, what do you want.
What again you want mr james, stop with this petty stuff.
We as Dominicans need to understand that neither of the political parties have the right to do what they think is right for their personal use. we Dominicans put in a leader to lead the country on the right path, and if the party running the country is not doing a good job of it we the people have to do something about it and stop eating at each other for things that do not make sense. my opinion on the national ID card do not make any sense and the PM as well as other Dominicans know that is the truth. why do we have a DSS card? why do we have a PASSPORT? why do we have a DRIVERS LICENCE. Please correct me if am wrong. does’nt these 3 documents that I mentioned above are classified as a national ID card? The voters ID card is something very different and ONLY to deal with election on election day ONLY. What is so frightening about the VOTERS ID CARD THAT THE GOV’NT DO NOT WANT TO HAVE IT IMPLEMENTED? please Dominicans before we loose ourselves further in hot waters let us stop this nonsense and get our country back to reality and stop the hungry power game. have we notice that our people do not attend mass as before? dominica is crying for healing stop this political game and start creating jobs for we the youth of this country. we are graduating out of school where do we go from here. our parents cannot afford to send us to university and college some of us. PM and all other political parties listen to our cry we would like to be the future of this country tomorrow and you all are keeping us back. STOP IT STOP IT, STOP IT. AM VERY FED UP AND FRUSTRATED.
are you a dam full? i live in gwada and my kids have passport and a ID card!
There’s no logic to spending millions on voter cards & not have a national ID card. Regardless of the card program implimented some local residents wont have cards should they be marginalized.
Good point re his question:“How are you going to assure fairness if you go only to, say, New York or Washington and you don’t go to Alaska, Detroit or Miami,” he stated. “If you go to London, how is it going to be fair for Dominicans who do not live in London?”. Does he have a suggested solution to this problem?
Idel chatter from a non party
when u all got into power u all had id cards??????????
No voter id cards…no election..it’s as simple or difficult as that…one love…..people get ready…
Now after reading this, I am wondering who in the world would disagree with the concerns. But then again, we talking Dominicans here. By the time this comment is approved, if at all it is…there will be several others from persons who DID NOT take their time to read and UNDERSTAND what Mr. James is pointing out.
I can bet my last dollar they are going to say James opposing everything and stuff like that. Just watch!
Yes pal he is opposing every thing cause that’s his position the opposition, How many times you hear Eddo say he for something Skero did
You are such a clown.
I would never make such a statement…k…because its Marlon I call for you all the way in Giraudel
Come on Mr. James, you can do a better job than that. Your arguments are weak and void of the law. I thought that you would have taken a page on what was said by the Political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Michael Astaphan,as reported by DNO Monday, May 13th, 2013. To quote Mr. Astaphan “The Election Act gives the Electoral Commission the SOLE responsibility of printing and issuing voter’s ID cards and not national multi purpose ID cards” He further stated that “our concern is what Act give the commission the authority to print a multi purpose ID card”. The DFP concluded by saying that “the government has the authority to print whatever cards it wants but it must follow the rule of law”. According to Mr. Astaphan, he has asked some lawyers and none of them are aware that the Electoral Commission has the responsibility for the administration of the multi purpose identification system or (that) the law allows them to take a contract to do that. And to me thats the substance of the issue at hand…
What is wrong with our Dominicans why is it so difficult to understand in other countries their are ID Cards which one can call it national cards if you want but those are not used for voting the Voters ID Card which is not used for any other business but for only voting at election time. It’s time we in D’ica open our minds exercise you knowiedge stop looking at who is bringing the message or messages put away the political parties and their colours when are we going to say right is right and wrong is wrong that doesnt mean you love your party or leaders less, we are look down upon as hypocrites is that what we are ?
I’m not a supporter of either parties but I can think for myself without wrapping myself in a political party or it’s colours and I do believe we have other persons on the Island that think the same way so come on let’s do the correct thing for DOMINICA let’s put Dominica first let’s get the voters ID CARDS in place.
I agree with u but answer this question.Did mr eddison james implemented voter I D cards while he was in office and if not.why not?Some of all you want to play to intelligent for me.
Hey,Namby, want to start the Dominica All Party Movement (DAPM)? Our mission would be to rally the people of Dominica to independent thinking across existing party lines.
That would certainly DAMPen the current, unhealthy political rhetoric on the Island. We don’t need to contest any election. Getting our people to think for themselves is worth more than sitting in Parliament.
Just a thought.
what,s the hassle for this short time. They have to give the Dominicans at least 6-8 months.