Parliament to convene in special sitting

A view of the House of Assembly

A special sitting of parliament has been convened for Friday to officially inform members that the office of the president is to become vacant.

“It’s simply to inform the parliament of the vacancy which will exist in the Office of President,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit explained.

According to the Prime Minister the nation’s current president, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, has made it known that he is unable to complete  his second term on the job which ends in September 2013.

“Therefore we will need somebody to replace His Excellency the President for the balance of the term up to September 2013,” he said.

Skerrit and Leader of the Opposition Hector John have consulted on the vacancy but according to the Prime Minister there was no agreement between them on a choice of president, hence the reason for the special sitting.

He said after tomorrow’s sitting, there are 14 days in which nominations will be put forward by the government and the opposition, after which another sitting of parliament will be convened for the actual election of the president.

It has been reported in the media that Prime Minister Skerrit’s choice for president is former public servant Eluid Williams. However,this has not been confirmed by the government.

Opposition Leader John has said that someone has given consent to be the United Workers Party nominee but did not make public the name of that person.

According to the Constitution of the Dominica: “Whenever the office of the President is vacant or the term of office of the President is due to expire within not more than ninety days, the Prime Minister shall consult with the Leader of the Opposition as to their joint nomination of a suitable candidate for election as President”.

If the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition agree on a joint nominee for the Presidency, then the Speaker will be advised in writing and the individual will be elected without putting the question to a vote.

If they do not agree, the Speaker will be advised and the House of Assembly will be informed accordingly. Then, within 14 days, “the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition or any three members of the House” may submit to the Speaker “by writing under their hands, nominations of candidates for election as President”.

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55 Comments

  1. aqua nautic
    August 26, 2012

    wen i hear hector n sum of the people comenting on dno or listen to q95.i ask my self wat kind of peopl i can deal wth in dominica,some pelple make u feel dominican is real fools..

  2. ROSEAU VALLEY
    August 26, 2012

    Whoever is eventually elected to serve as the president of Dominica at the end of the current exercise will be unconstitutionally elected. Under normal circumstances, I would wish the individual well and I would have expressed the sincere hope that s/he would have done a much better job than the outgoing president. It would have been my hope that s/he would have been carved out of the mold of one of the C.S or V.S presidents.

    Clearly, Dominicans have lost all respect for the outgoing president and indeed they should – he has been a disgrace to the office of the president with his petty partisan political games with the constitution of Dominica. This president has undermined, rather than protect the constitution of Dominica.

    Whoever is elected at the end of the ongoing exercise, let it be known that if the UWP do not mount a legal challenge to the outcome of the parliamentary election for the new president of Dominica, I shall do so in my capacity as a private citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I am convinced that the ongoing process is unconstitutional and whatever the decision that evolves from this process ought to be challenged in court as unconstitutional. The current process cries out loud for judicial interpretation of our constitutional provisions. I am not satisfied with the efforts of the government or the opposition in ensuring that our constitutional provisions are properly interpreted, applied and safeguarded.

    This entire episode in our constitutional development as a young nation has been undermined and once again disrespected by the leadership of the Labour administration. As a young Dominican, I am once again terribly disappointed in the way our political leaders are treating our constitution. I have long been disappointed with the conduct our current president, who remains silent when it really matters, even on issues directly related to his office.

    Beyond any doubt, President Liverpool has been a complete failure but I am particularly outraged with the repeated conduct of the Prime Minister, who governs as if he were the leader of his private Island. He continues to govern in an unconstitutional manner and does things as he wishes without regard to the constitution.
    I am also disappointed with the leader of the Opposition for agreeing to engage in the unconstitutional consultation with the Prime Minister, when he did. I was hoping that after the public outcry with regard to the lack of respect for the constitutional provision in the appointment of the Acting Police Commissioner, we would have taken more care in making future constitutional appointments and/or seek to explain to the citizens why and how certain things were being done. Obviously, we are not learning. We are not growing. We are not maturing as a nation governed by laws.

    Clearly, in keeping with the provisions of our constitution, the government’s nominee will inevitably be elected, unless some bold, independent members of the government side (wish does not exist) were to vote with the opposition on principle. Therefore, it appears that Mr. William will be the next President of Dominica, albeit an unconstitutionally elected president in the same manner that the Acting Commissioner of police was appointed in an unconstitutional manner without proper consultation.

    The UWP has gone along with an unconstitutional consultative process and participated in a special sitting of parliament without there being a clear vacancy of the presidency. According to the UWP, it did not wish to “stall” the process but I wish it had not participated in the consultative process before being in receipt of the letter of resignation of the President or a letter of intent to demit office. However, I applaud the UWP for preparing to submit the name of its candidate for election as president and for not supporting the government’s candidate on point of principle as this is the closest that Dominicans will get to a democratically elected president pursuant to the existing constitutional framework.

  3. Rastar-Marn
    August 24, 2012

    Garçon let there be a vacancy lets see if Dominica truly needs a President,,,

    I sure Dominica won’t sink in the sea if a new President is not appointed,,,

    Allyou making big deal over noffing,,,

  4. Doc. Love
    August 24, 2012

    Regardless to what I write about,good,bad,or ugly, it takes over twenty hours for acceptance by DNO, is that the same with everybody?

  5. talon ho
    August 24, 2012

    Please get a president that prefer icecream instead if Johnny Walker.

  6. Morihei Ueshiba
    August 24, 2012

    Skerrit always making bad decisions i don’t expect a good choice for the next president.

  7. ^
    August 24, 2012

    My only wish is that whoever it is,he/she does a better job than the outgoing one.His performance was terrible.

  8. Helas!
    August 24, 2012

    That post of President as it is should be abolished and replaced with a real elected president, working for his/her money and maybe Dominica
    I say maybe because I did not get the impression that the Present guy even tried to be a real man

  9. August 24, 2012

    its a petty to see how some of us Dominican use an online medium for educating an sharing information internationally to talk and make disgraceful comments especially about the Highest Office on our island; The Office of the President.

    The Opposition leader when he issues a statement must know that he speaks on behalf of the opposition and the people of his constituency whom he represents and therefore must make clear and intellegent statements.
    There is no need to be running around and disecting a statement DNO publish over what the Opposition leader said.

    The Opposition leader must get serious with state business and stop playing around. H.E Liverpool needs to be replaced and that’s whats important and needs to be dealt with.

    He must present his nominees together with the Prime Minister nominees and select the most suitable person to fill in the office.
    Anyways; thanks to H.E Liverpool for a job well done and for being the most down to earth Presidents we have seen. His educational speaches specially on the constitution and behavoir and role of our politicans. Fear well and God bless Liverpool.

    • .
      August 24, 2012

      Petty political Garbage!

    • Google
      August 24, 2012

      With the spelling mistakes, you cannot be taken seriously… :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  10. Good-to-go
    August 24, 2012

    I want Yellow for President!

    After all we have never had a woman President in our 33 years as an independent nation.

    Is high time we get a woman as our President. I am sure you all will agree with me.

  11. Shameless
    August 24, 2012

    GON Emmanuel for President Of the Comm. of Dominica. Fair, honest, independent and has demonstrated his ability to exercise his duties without fear, favor, malice or ill will.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

    • El Presidente
      August 24, 2012

      LOL…GON Emmanuel…you guys are too emotional

  12. Anonymous
    August 23, 2012

    I hope the in-coming president will take a leaf from the pages of two former presidents of blessed memory namely H.E. Sir Clarence Seignoret and H.E. Crispin Sorhaindo. These men served excellently and did not mix party politics with ‘The Office of The President’.

    • Looking in
      August 23, 2012

      You observed these two gentlemen has the same initials?
      Maybe the next president will have them as well…but who can it be..?
      Time will tell..

      • Anonymous
        August 24, 2012

        i hear ie E.W. can someone pronounce that please? EWWWWWW!!!!

  13. Yoland jno jules
    August 23, 2012

    Well those children in the opposition realy stupid just see their comments (sot)The best man for President is Mr Elude Williams he work all his life in Dominica never went over seas but stayed home that is a Dominican at heart.Worked hard in every ministry not like Clayton Shillingford that spent all his life in the USA and when he old he want to come back, and want to tell those of us who refused to leave Dominica how to run our Country PM i nominate Elude Williams to be next President of Dominica i am a real Dominican.which Hector John we reject your candidate like we reject the UWP last election.Dominicans say ELUDE WILLIAMS is the best candidate.He not like those who just come back for position,best all you go back wheare all you worked all, all you life.What has any one of you did for DA like Elude Williams I pray God for Mr.Willaims may the hand of God bless you as you take the highest position in the land.i anointe you in the Name of the Lord may he bless and help you through.God bless Dominica.And thanks very much His Exelency Dr.Nicholas Liverpool you did well. No man is an Island nothing lasts forever.from your humble friend fairwell Mr. Liverpool retire in peace God Bless you.God Bless PM Skerrit.

    • Anonymous
      August 24, 2012

      sing for your supper Yolande, sing!!!!

  14. Who Fraid
    August 23, 2012

    To Mr. “Dorival John” who said that persons are afraid to put their real name.

    Listen up, this Marlon Kenley Giraudel of Jimmit.

    This line: “Opposition Leader John has said that someone from his party, the United Workers Party, has given consent to be nominated” IS TOTALLY INCORRECT.

    On August 16th, 2012 at 9:22am, DNO reported “Someone has given consent on our side … I have not given the Prime Minister our nominee and while he has given me his, I won’t disclose it since it is for him to do,” John stated.

    How in the world does “given consent on our side”
    translate to a UWP member giving consent?

    My Nigga listen up, there is no member of the UWP being nominated by Hector John and when the news break on who the nominee is, you will see how much of a fool you were.

    As for DNO and their reporting…..lol…Hi Guys.

    • Dorival John
      August 23, 2012

      Oh great…..then that would mean he going to nominate someone who is a card member of the Freedom Party, or a poto from the Labour Party.

      Or even better, someone from outer space.

      We all know that in Dominica everything is party politics, so doh come so.

      Hahahahahahahahahahaha

    • El Presidente
      August 24, 2012

      Who Fraid, how did Dorival John become a Nigga…I thought he was Human/Domininican/brother/bro/Comrade/padna

      Never knew he was a nigga…Met Yo training you preety good in NYC

      Wad up dude???

      • Who Fraid
        August 24, 2012

        Ok Marc…lol

  15. cool running
    August 23, 2012

    I have no confidence in any electoral system in Dominica. It does not matter whether we have to elect a government, president or even village council/towncouncil, especially since Mr. Skeritt became the PM.. On the other hand, If hector John is to nominate a candidate be sure it’s going to be a UWPite that will try to stop Skerrit on every step, both good and bad, and that is not good for the country either. So to me, for parliament to convene in this silly matter is a waste of tax payers money and Dominica can do without a president especially if we going to get another one like Mr. Liverpool. Infact as far as I am concerned, we don’t need police commissioner, palreps, and we sure don’t need judicial cause Skerrit has changed everything and he shuts the mouth of the all.

  16. Dvt
    August 23, 2012

    The Leader of the Opposition continues to show what an incompetent he is. Even if you want to nominate someone from your party you do not go out openly saying that. The President should be impartial. You hear the things they say about the Speaker and look at what they want to do. So if these guys were in government it shows not even the office of the President they would respect. They would fill up all positions with their party faithful. I would like to know who is the person within the UWP they would like to nominate. This person must have withdrawn their name as they would feel ashamed. Anyone nominated by the Opposition now is subject to be labelled a Workers even if the person is genuinely impartial. Well done Hector John, continue to show us why we should never grace the halls of government with your presence.

  17. Met Yo
    August 23, 2012

    I doh know where DNO got that news from about Hector having somebody ‘IN UWP” in mind.

    That is false. Hector indicated that he has his own nominee. Who said its someone from the uwp?

    False reporting. and then u have people commenting talking a whole setta none sense under the false reporting.

    Then if Hector call allu, allu will run and change the story….but leave the foolish comments.

    • Dorival John
      August 23, 2012

      It look like you that is Hector’s secretary and you with him all the time, recording every word he says. From where you are there, I doh think that can happen.

      Hector telling everybody else something different, a clear evidence of inconsistency.

      I sure if it was false Hector would have called DNO already since this is the second time DNO reporting this is what he said.

      • Met Yo
        August 23, 2012

        rubbish…this is not what DNO reported the first time. The first time they said it is reported that The opposition leader has his own Nominee.

        Today, they reporting he have a nominee from inside the party. Total contradiction in reporting.

        And for your information, the person I know to be the nominee is not and was never a uwp member. I glad you know where I am, lol….point is…you can never know better than me…hahahaha

  18. Doc. Love
    August 23, 2012

    I wish to recommend Mr. Edison James for President. Mr.Lennox Linton will take over the constituency of Marigot and will subsequently become the Prime Minister.In four years, Dominica will become the most advanced country in the Caribbean

    • Doc. Love
      August 24, 2012

      Can admin of DNO tell me the reasons why a comment where I am simple making recommendations for a President take in excess of twenty hours to be modified.

  19. providence
    August 23, 2012

    the PM should take this chance to become head of state himself i believe he would make a good head of state. we really have no use for a president anyway he has build the state palace and i think it would be fitting that he be given the go ahead by the parliament to serve as the first president.

  20. true Dominican
    August 23, 2012

    For the good of our country we need God fearing,, an independent, honest, outspoken fair person for President.

  21. Dvt
    August 23, 2012

    I hope everyone has realized the significance of the statement of the Leader of the Opposition. They want someone from the party to be the President of Dominica. That is she height of hipocracy.

  22. Anonymous
    August 23, 2012

    UPW probably want James or Green

    • JIM
      August 23, 2012

      @Anonymous UWP surely want you to be literate, because you don’t seem to be! Learn to contribute to the discuss,and do not reduce yourself as a clown.

    • Peeping Tom
      August 23, 2012

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  23. "O" STRESS!
    August 23, 2012

    MY pick for president of Dominica is MR; PAPPY” a long life business man politician, Father, independent man, a true son of the soil from Castle Bruce, he should be given the post to take Dominica to the next level in a proactive manner. I hope every one see the fun in my post?.

    • Grey popon
      August 25, 2012

      No . Stay away from jokes because you are so dry

  24. Monsieur Pawol
    August 23, 2012

    There is need for constitutional reform in this country so that the president becomes head of state and government like in the united states and guyana.

    Remember officially we are THE REPUBLIC OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA that is why we have a president in the first place…

    suitable candidates ed registe, steven isidore, lennox hoychurch, gerry aird, bernard whilshire, tony from mahaut… make anyone of them fellas president man… the country need liberation

    • Baway
      August 23, 2012

      Ha ha! you forgot seeko seckko.

    • .
      August 23, 2012

      @Monsieur Parwol: All of your nominees have ONE thing in common.Your guess is as good as mine!

  25. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    August 23, 2012

    Stuppes! Did we have a president?

    • totally agree
      August 23, 2012

      With all due respect, actually I lost respect for the gentleman…. if the next President is anything like this one, don’t bother.

    • HIM
      August 23, 2012

      @”””””””” Well Said… I can say loudly, WE DIDN’T HAVE A PRESIDENT!

  26. GOM
    August 23, 2012

    These so called presidents should not be lackeys,stooges,servile followers of the ruling party. They should be men/women with dignity, character,good moral standing, statesmen/women,patriots,etc.
    This corrupt country called Dominica is an exception to every rule, in the bad sense of the word.

    • Dorival John
      August 23, 2012

      So who you want the president to be? A lackey stooge and servile follower of the opposition? Hector said he had his own candidate from the UWP.

      Maybe if you had said the president should not a be a lackey, stooge or servile follower of any political party.

      But again, can you find someone like that in Dominica?

      LOL

      • ?????????
        August 23, 2012

        @ Dorival John Go to school your Mackak. He/She should be neutral person. One who can call a spade a spade. A fair, unbiased level headed individual. Surely not a lackey. Apatriot for sure, with some knowledge of the law.

      • GOM
        August 23, 2012

        @Dorival John… I take the ruling government to be any ruling government sir/madam. Your understanding of the english language seem to be your problem.Or maybe your are too political, so it renders you blind.
        Do we have a government in Dominica, or a regime?

      • LAGOON PORSSIE
        August 24, 2012

        Yes i can people like PEEPING TOM, DORIVAL, PROF WIKILEAKS.

    • Dorival John
      August 23, 2012

      Hahahaha….GOM from your posting on this site we all know where you stand and you call me political? U must be kidding.

      Maybe you should have said “These so called presidents should not be lackeys,stooges,servile followers of ANY ruling party” and your concept would been grasp immediately.

      Now the idiot that goes by the name ??????? (all u fraid to use all u real name eh) I said the president should not be a a lackey of ANY political party, hence a person like that would be fair and balance and neutral since they do not carry political baggage from ANY party. I guess u are the MACKAK since I had to explain this simple notion to u.

    • Nkrumah Kwame
      August 24, 2012

      Dear GOM,

      I am sure that you are AWARE that there is NONE in this country to fit this description; consequently, let us not have a President!!

  27. %
    August 23, 2012

    After the miserable performance of the outgoing president i have no faith, confidence, interest, belief in this position again. In my view,this is a total waste of money, in poor economies like Dominica. The man was there and the constitution was still being trampled upon, and he remained absoloutely totally MOO MOO.
    Pure Waste Of Money!

    • JIM
      August 23, 2012

      @% 1000 000 000 000 000 % SUPPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Coco DiFiolo
      August 23, 2012

      You need to read up on the functions of the president as listed in the Commonwealth of Dominica constitution order of 1978.What type of head of state would you like? (A)A king/queen (B)An executive president (C)An emperor/empress (D)A non executive president (E)Non of the above

  28. Observer
    August 23, 2012

    “Opposition Leader John has said that someone from his party, the United Workers Party, has given consent to be nominated but did not make public the name of that person”.

    I would have been more comfortable if it was reported that the Opposition Leader had announced that his party had a nominee rather than “someone from the party”. That waould be a grave mistake to appoint with similar party credentials like Dave Bruney for the Presidency. I understand it is Babs their eyes have fallen. But I would have to clear that with Zena before.

    I am not surprised that the UWP want their own to become President. Now that it is known that the PM and Mr.John did not reach consensus on a nominee for President, then the UWP must keep true to its media pronouncemenmts of transparency in government, freedom of expression, the people’s right to know etc. etc and announce to the nation who their pary candidate is. That should be a simple thing to do.

    Practically speaking, with the House compositionof 18 to 3,I do not see how the UWP can succeed. The candidate should be so advised. How can their candidate win. It is a waste of time and money. When the UWP was in government and had the opportunity to select a President they felt very comfortable with the 11 to 9 division of the House and did eventually get their choice of President by a majority of votes formthe elected members, Mr. Shaw turned out to be a good choice in the end.

    Mean time if its true, I am rooting for Eliud Williams. he is a good man a no nonsense person, of souind character, intelligent and a people’s person. Did I hear there may be health issues around his candidacy? that alone would make me change my mind about him

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