PM confirms Eluid Williams is gov’t presidential nominee

Eluid T Williams

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed that Eluid Williams is the government’s choice for president.

Dominica News Online reported on July 16 that Williams was next in line to occupy the President’s residence but both Williams and the Prime Minister remained tight-lipped on the matter.

Skerrit confirmed the nomination on Friday afternoon.

“Government’s proposed nominee for post of president who will serve the balance of the term of his excellency the president incumbent hold on the post which will end in September 2013 will be Mr. Eluid Williams,” the Prime Minister said on state-owned DBS radio.

Dominica’s President, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, has indicated that he is calling it quits well ahead of that date due to ill health.

On Friday a special sitting of parliament was convened to inform parliamentarians the president’s office was to become vacant.

Williams is a management consultant at WHITCO Inc and was Managing Director of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) from 2004 to 2008.

He is a University of the West Indies’ graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute of the United Kingdom.

Williams has pursued specialized training in Regulatory Strategy and Policy at the University of Florida and in Development Administration at the Manitoba Institute of Management.

He served in the public service as a Permanent Secretary from 1987 to 2004, and has also served as a director on several national and regional boards, including the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR).

Williams also served as chairman of the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC).

Following Friday’s sitting of parliament, Opposition Leader Hector John told DNO that he had demanded that Prime Minister Skerrit make available a letter of intent  from the president showing that he is actually vacating office.

John indicated, following consultation with the Prime Minister on the matter recently, that the United Workers Party had received the consent of one person as their nominee for president. However,  he told DNO after Friday’s meeting, that he is not completely ruling out the possibility of supporting the Government’s nominee.

The deadline for the submission of nominations is September 7.

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85 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    August 28, 2012

    Can we get a female president for once??? Or is that UNconstitutional too???

  2. Jude Nicholas
    August 27, 2012

    Roseau Valley I am an HONEST DOMINICAN.

    You are totally wrong on this one and I am prepared to say it is because of lack of understanding.

    Section 28 of the Constitution deals with the situation where the Sitting President is out of State or because of ill health cannot perform his functions but remains as the substantive holder of the Office while someone act in his place. (In the current situation the Sitting President has indicated his desire to demit Office.)

    However, as soon as the substantive holder resigns by writing to the Speaker the person who is acting is his stead also ceases to act. Because one cannot act for a President who has resigned.

    It is for this reason why the “Doctrine of Necessity” comes into focus and the process must proceed as if the Current President term of Office is about to expire.

    What will happen is that when all the processes are complete and the house is about to meet to elect a new President, the sitting President will submit his resignation to the Speaker just before the House meets. That resignation takes immediate effect. Section 119.

    The House then proceeds to elect a new President after the Speaker indicates that she has received the Resignation of the President which will be read in Parliament. The new President will then be sworn in that same afternoon. All the requirements of the Constitution would be adhered to.

  3. Another Citizen
    August 27, 2012

    D/can Citizen, I could not agree more! You are on point and on the ball with this one. I know you have really introduced a great debate here and as was expected a number of people would either take offence or vehemently oppose your view point and that too is very healthy in a democracy. People want to take you to task for stating the Mr. Leader of the opposition and his party are opposing the government’s choice for president. D/can Citizen, you are absolutley correct to draw that conclusion because had the leader of the opposition and his party agreed then last Friday’s convening of a parliament would not be necessry. I heard Spags myself say that the party has its nominee so how could he have a nominee in mind if he was not oppsoing Mr. Williams. I dare say that it is hypocritical of the leader of the opposition to then say to DNO that he doesn’t rule out the government’s choice. The only way they will concede is if their nominee bails out on them and then full of pretense they’ll offer a statement and say “in the interest of putting party before country, we the UWP has decided to support the government’s choice for president as Mr. Eluid Williams is…..bla bla bla”. The next few days will be VERY INTERESTING!

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      To Dominican Citizen an Another Citizen et al,

      I also know Mr. Williams well and in fact I do not have any issue with him. I also have a genuine belief that neither Mr. John nor the UWP has any major issues with the man Eluid Williams. I respect your enthusiastic support of Mr. William’s candidacy and agree that he may possess all the qualities, qualifications and experience to be the President of Dominica but really this is beside the point. The debate is not about Mr. Williams per se.

      Please do not be disappointed that the opposition party has decided to submit its own nominee. By exercising its constitutional right to do so, this in no way should be interpreted as an opposition to Mr. Williams’’ nomination for president. In fact, the UWP is well aware that the government nominee will get the votes need to be elected. Then again, that is not the issue. To limit your argument to the obvious is not enough. It demands more critical, in depth and critical political analysis.

      You are unfortunately misguided. Mr. Hector John is not rejecting “a man of the soil” who has his roots in the bowels of the beautiful community of Salisbury. Mr. John is actually doing the right thing for Dominica. Personally, I think he has gone too far and should not have even participated in the unconstitutional consultations. This is not about Salisbury or who is in government or opposition. It is much bigger than that. It is about Dominica and the implementation of the letter and spirit of her constitution and her laws.

      I am happy that you have expressed your opinion on the matter. That is great. But you are not being honest in your criticism of Mr. John. MR. John is not acting on his behalf nor is he acting in the capacity of the Parl Rep for Salisbury. He is acting as the Leader of Opposition of the country and on the behalf of the official opposition. Furthermore, as Mr. John has indicated, the UWP has in the past supported the government’s nominee. Remember, the UWP supported the nomination of Mr. Liverpool. Mr. John did not say that he does not support Mr. Williams, recognizing that he will inevitable be elected.

      The UWP is simply exercising its constitutional right as the official opposition in a democracy.
      The issue at hand is about the process, the way we do things and the disappointment that the UWP and patriots continue to express in the tenure of the current President. The opposition has posed some legitimate questions that need to be addressed.

      I sometimes criticize Mr. John but I will defend him against such bias and thoughtless criticisms allegedly coming from a constituent of Salisbury.

      Respectfully
      Roseau Valley

    • Curious
      August 27, 2012

      Babs Die-er will never bail out. He went up for elections and knew he was going to get less than 5 votes and never bailed out.

  4. LATITUDED810
    August 27, 2012

    Thats why the world is made up of these people the DUM, the DUMMER,and yhe DUMMEST, the day the speaker recieves the letter will be the same day the president would be vacating office, so for example if the president wants to resign on the 30th of october 2012 but sent he letter 28th of august then because of the constitution he would have to vacate office on the 28th of august, this is so simple to understand but i guess its not for all.

    • August 27, 2012

      You should read the provisions of Sections 28 and 119 of the constitution. Then you would uderstand why.. There is no letter with a date of resignation. THAT IS THE MISSING LINK.

    • Realist
      August 27, 2012

      then that being the case if he mentions resign in his letter he could simply advise them to look for another president, without stating specifically the term RESIGN.

      • August 27, 2012

        Realist:
        This is governing party of Dominica…a President was appointed. There should be no guessing game here, “if he mention resign in his letter”, well he did not mention and did send a letter to the house with such date. There must be a letter with a DATE OF RESIGNATION,in order to start the selection for the replacement of the President. The fact is the constitution must be followed. Take your head out of the sand and understand that’s what needs to happen here. No matter which party is in power we should hold them accountable.
        So my advised to you is; get a copy of the Dominica constitution and read the provisions of Sections 28 and 119.
        The people of Dominica need respect and will demand respect from the leaders of the land.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      Actually, it is not so simple as it appears. In fact, even you have not yet gained a full understanding of the issues. It is unfortunate that you are so quick to refer to your fellow Dominicans as the DUM and the DUMMER, when it appears that you are the DUMMEST in regurgitating what you have heard others discussing having failed to do your own research and fully appreciating the spirit in which the constitutional provisions must be implemented.

  5. i like it so
    August 27, 2012

    It seems that the privacy of the opposition nominee is more important than the privacy of the president letter. they refuse to disclose to the public who is their nominee. but they go ahead and sabotage the whole thing and call it unconstitutional. ha ha ha

  6. August 27, 2012

    Now after listening to the speaker of the house explained why she called an emergency hearing at the House of Assemble, I was convinced that she was doing the right thing by following the law of the land. Oh no! She just put the cart in front of the horse. So thanks, to the opposition for asking questions that most people could not ask or were not aware that there were issues to as to way this hearing was conducted.
    Q. Madam Speaker, where is the letter of resignation that was sent to you by the President?
    A. She did not have an answer.
    Just excuses as to why she think it is fine to conduct such hearing, even if she does not have a letter of resignation from the President or a date as to when; there will be a vacancy for the position of president.
    Mr. President did you not read the rules before you took the job? For it clearly states that you are to inform the SPEAKER of the house as to your intentions NOT the PM.
    Q. Mr. President why are we not hearing from you, are you that sick, or did the PM called and asked you to vacate your position because he has a replacement. THE PEOPLE NEED AN HEAR FROM YOU NOW!!!!!!!!!
    Mr. PM where is the letter of resignation from the President? The people of Dominica need you to do the right things by presenting the letter. Speaker says 14 days to present a nominee, but here it is that you have already selected your appointee.
    PRESENT THE LEETER OF RESIGNATION FROM THE PRESIDENT NOW, MR. PM
    MADAM SPEAKER YOU ARE TO FOLLOW THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND STOP MAKING EXCUES AS TO WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE DONING, IT IS WRONG TO THE PEOPLE OF DOMINICA. REPECT THE CONSTITUTION.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      Very good questions. Thanks for asking. These are the questions for which answers remain pending. Instead, we get insults, lies, excuses and insincere apologies.

  7. evenhanded
    August 27, 2012

    ROSEAU VALLEY,your comments are on point. The issues must be clarified by the Courts and resolved accordingly. The provisions of Sections 28 and 119 CANNOT be ignored!

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      Thank you for your feedback. As Arudale would say to Angelo, “you are so kind.”

  8. J.J.John- Charles
    August 26, 2012

    Mr Williams is well qualified for the presidency.
    A gentleman of great integrity.
    He is a good citizen.
    His mother was from Salisbury.
    And he is my second cousin.
    Kudos to you sir.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      Okay I hear you. But the entire process leading up to his election and appointment is unconstitutional and illegal. Therefore, his would be an illegitimate President. He should do the honourable thing as a good citizen with great integrity with roots from Salisbury.
      If he does that- I too will join you in ushering praise

      • Jude Nicholas
        August 27, 2012

        Roseau Valley please educate me. What would/should have been the correct constitutional procedures in the current circumstances?

        What constitutional process should be followed if a sitting President indicates his/her desire not to complete a term in Office?

        Please Explain.

      • Roseau Valley
        August 27, 2012

        To Jude Nicholas,

        Do you recall the initial statement of the Prime Minister, which provided the reason for the intention of the President to demit office? It was because of his failing health or his illness.

        Now, if you are an honest Dominican, I shall refer you to Article 28 once again which is produced in part below for your ease of reference.

        “Whenever the holder of the office of President is unable to perform the functions of his office by reason of his absence from Dominica, by reason of illness of by reason that he is suspended from the exercise of those functions under section 25(3) of this Constitution, those functions shall be performed-by such person as may with his consent have been designated in that behalf by the holder of the office of President, acting after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, by writing under his hand; or if there is no person so designated or if the person so designated is unable to act, by such person as may have been elected in that behalf by the House in accordance with the like procedure as is prescribed by section 19 of this Constitution for the election of the President.
        A person shall not be qualified to act as President unless he is qualified to be elected as, and to hold the office of President, provided that the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker may act as President, in which case he shall cease to perform the functions of this office during any period during which he is so acting.”

        Perhaps I am wrong but I rest my case and remain respectfully your fellow Dominican

        Roseau Valley

      • Jude Nicholas
        August 27, 2012

        Roseau Valley I am an HONEST DOMINICAN.

        You are totally wrong on this one I am prepared to say it is because of lack of understanding.

        Section 28 of the Constitution deals with the situation where the Sitting President is out of State or because of ill health cannot perform his functions but remains as the substantive holder of the Office while someone act in his place.

        However, as soon as the substantive holder resigns by writing to the Speaker the person who is acting is his stead also ceases to act. Because one cannot act for a President who has resigned.

        It is for this reason why the “Doctrine of Necessity” comes into focus and the process must proceed as if the Current President term of Office is about to expire.

        What will happen is that when all the processes are complete and the house is about to meet to elect a new President, the sitting President will submit his resignation to the Speaker just before the House meets. That resignation takes immediate effect. Section 119.

        The House then proceeds to elect a new President after the Speaker indicates that she has received the Resignation of the President which will be read in Parliament. The new President will then be sworn in that same afternoon.

  9. Jazz
    August 26, 2012

    I have no issue with Mr.Williams being nominated for president.I personally think that he is well educated and quite able to execute his duties if given the chance to the best of my ability. The only issue I possess is that if my memory serves me right and I may be wrong but when this story broke out on a particular newspaper the Prime Minister laughed at the notion giving the impression that is was far from the truth. What now do you have to say Mr. Prime Minister? As far as I see it politics and politicians are all the same be it DLP, UWP , DFP ….It’s time we wisen up and realize that and stop fighting each other. Politics is killing Dominica.Hey I am just saying.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      August 27, 2012

      The Prime Minister is now a seasoned and experienced politician at a young age. Of course, the information was leaked with regard to his prospective nominee to encourage people to express their views in advance before he officially made the announcement but proceeded to deny the statement when questioned about it. This is how things work in reality- it politics and politicians.

  10. ROSEAU VALLEY
    August 26, 2012

    Tell me…where have all our good lawyers gone? Have they all been promoted to SCs and are travelling ambassadors with the PM to conferences in sale of Dominican citizenship? Have they all set up offices in Dubai? Have they all taken up other roles as political operatives, talk show hosts, Consulate-General and in-house lawyers of companies? Have they all donned the cap of fear and are no longer independent, free-thinking, educated and trained professionals? Why is there such an uncomfortable, mummified and deafening silence from our legal fraternity on such a fundamental question of law?

    Lennox Linton, Angelo Allen and Arundale Thomas are not lawyers but they are doing a great public service in filling the huge and widening legal void left in a our society by our practicing attorneys.

    It seems obvious to me that everything that we are currently doing in the name of the operation of the supreme law of Dominica and ordinary commonsense to replace the sitting President is wrong, unconstitutional and illegal.

    As my fellow Roseau Valleyian, Randy Aaron would say …we must speak and we need to hear the voices of reason including that of the Former Chief Justice, Sir Brian Alleyne on this fundamental matter- except if he is the nominee of the UWP- in which case I respect his silence and endorse him as the best candidate for the job as President of Dominica.

    In the meantime, I hope that my layman’s cry will meet the approval of the esteemed and well –regarded former Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court.

    According to Section 117 of the Constitution of Dominica, the Constitution is the supreme law of Dominica and, subject to its provisions, if any other law (or action/conduct/pronouncement/degree) is inconsistent with its provisions, the Constitution shall prevail and the other law (action/conduct/pronouncement/degree) shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

    Therefore, to the existent that the irrational excuses, unconstitutional actions, explanations and reasoning of the sitting President, the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, the Speaker of the House, the Leader of Opposition and the Parliament of Dominica are inconsistent with the Constitution of Dominica, they are all in clear violation of the Constitution and should be deemed as void.

    If Dominica could talk, she would do so in tears as she endures the pain and repeated disrespect of the heart of her legal authority by those who claim to be her leaders in the highest offices.
    According to the PM, who is comfortably regurgitating the advice of his legal advisors, Section 28 of the Constitution is irrelevant and does not apply to the current situation. I respectfully beg to differ.

    It was the PM who first advised that the President would be vacating his office due to “ill health.” Yet, in the letter read to Parliament, like a teacher in a pre-school class, the letter from the Prime Minister to the Speaker was silent on the issue of the ill health of the President as the reason for the alleged decision to demit office.

    Section 28 of the Dominica Constitution provides for an Acting President in the interim period under certain circumstances, including whenever the holder of the office of President is unable to perform the functions of his office by reason of his absence from Dominica or by reason of illness among other reasons. Therefore, as Lennox Linton has so eloquently argued, we could have an acting President in place while we proceed with constitutional consultation and election of a President.

    There is absolutely no circumstance to justify the “emergency” or “urgency” claimed by the PM for selectively choosing to obey the Constitution and openly violating its provisions simply because we want to do things our way in the invocation of the principle of constitutional “necessity”, which the current situation does not necessarily calls for. If the PM believes that 14 days for consultation and election of a President allowed by the Constitution is insufficient following appropriate action pursuant to Section 119 of the Constitution, then we may argue whether or not we need a Constitutional amendment. However, for now, we must obey our Constitution. Neither the President, the PM nor the Speaker is above the law of the supreme law of the land. They cannot be allowed to repeatedly violate the Constitution without any political or legal consequences.
    The truly patriotic Dominicans must join me in challenging the outcome of the unconstitutional parliamentary election to be held in 14 days to elect a new President. We cannot condone such action. We should collectively hold our leaders on all sides of the political divide to account.

    • correct
      August 27, 2012

      And your point Mr Trafalgar is??

      • August 27, 2012

        And what’s your point @ Correct, Just showing how much you know about DA and the Roseau Valley, the Roseau Valley is, Trafalgar, Laudat, Morne Prosper, Water Waven and Corkran also Fond Canie, so Trafalgar is not the only village in the Valley you fool

        I agree with Roseau Valley all the way

      • ROSEAU VALLEY
        August 27, 2012

        Hello Correct…Just want to advise you that you are completely wrong. I am not Mr. trafalgar.

        You know, there was a time arrogant politicans used to consider Trafalgar as the Roseau Valley – ignoring Morne Prosper, Wotten Waven, Laudat and Cockrane to their demise. Trafalgar is not the Roseau Valley, it is part of the beautiful Valley.

        I am also very sorry that your comprehesnsion level is too low to get the point being made. Accept my deepest regret that you are so ignorant and proud of it. Keep reading –just maybe you will get teh point.

    • Jude Nicholas
      August 27, 2012

      Roseau Valley you seem to be on your own tangent.

      Section 28 of the Constitution does not apply in these circumstances. Any acting President, appointed by the sitting President or the the Parliament; in acting for the person in Office.

      Once that Person submit his letter of resignation or intention to resign and the Speaker receives that letter, such resignation takes effect. Hence the individual who is acting for the sitting President, that acting comes to an end when the sitting President resigns.

      Hence there can be no acting president if there is not an appointed sitting President.

  11. Shameless
    August 26, 2012

    Time to ammend the constitution and remove all unneccessary items such as the requirement for President as head of state. There is no need for such a position unless it is made an elective position. Our politicians are too corrupt and will always appoint someone who supports their position rather than the national interest.

    If for some reason we see the need for such a figure head (I dont) then they should be elected. Such an election should fall midway through the 5 year term of a sitting government. One candidate should be nominated by each “registered” political party, a debate held between the candidates while they make their cases from a non political party standpoint and thereafter elections are held. No hoopla, No rally, No Destra, No Morgan Heritage, No Sewo.

    Hence, anytime the ruling party puts forward a candidate, he will ALWAYS be elected because when it goes to parliament he will ALWAYS be ” THE EYES HAVE IT” because the majority in parliament will NOT reject a candidate put forward by their leader.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  12. 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 have 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. It seems as if the PM has once again fooled/outplayed/outsmarted the Leader of the opposition.

    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.

  13. ROSEAU VALLEY
    August 26, 2012

    Unlike the Prime Minister, I do not necessarily see any grey area in the constitution that we should be of concern to Dominicans at this juncture in the appointment/election of the next president. Our constitution clearly states that 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”. To date, as far as the Speaker of the House, members of parliament and ordinary Dominicans are aware there is no vacancy for the presidency of Dominica from which all the other constitutional steps that we speak of in the process of electing a president could emanate.

    Inasmuch as the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition has failed to agree on a joint nominee for the presidency following the unconstitutional consultations, the Speaker of the House convened a special meeting of parliament to announce not a vacancy of the presidency but to report what she understood from the Prime Minister to be an intention of the president to vacate his office in the near future. In light of the above, I continue to have problems with the statement that the process of choosing the next president of the Commonwealth of Dominica has moved a step closer to completion, when we have yet to cross the first constitutional hurdle of establishing the vacancy itself.

    As far as I understand it, the special sitting of parliament held on Friday was to officially inform members that the office of the president is to become vacant- not that it is vacant. We have moved on from consultations to the convening of a special sitting of Parliament- but still failing to adhere to our constitutional provisions.

    And so I ask, why are we so comfortable in doing things in that way? Why are we creating controversy where it does not and should not exist? What is the grey area that the Prime Minister is referring to and why do we get ourselves stuck in artificial, made up grey areas? Any grey area that is referenced is simply fuel for unnecessary political controversy. As I have already observed the consultations, which have taken place between the PM and the Leader of Opposition took place without there being any documentary evidence to establish a vacancy for the presidency of Dominica and we ought not be proceeding with the process based on simply an alleged intention to vacate the presidency. The election of a president cannot continue based on the word of Mr. Skerrit. In fact, the Prime Minister himself has already stated that at the time of the unconstitutional consultation, the President had not even submitted a letter expressing his intention to consult.

    Mr. John and Mr. James are absolutely correct and on point. Following Friday’s sitting of parliament, they demanded that Prime Minister Skerrit make available the letter of intent from the president. But Mr. James should not be demanding this letter. It should have been presented to the Speaker of the House and the Leader of Opposition even before the commencement of the unconstitutional consultations. In any event, this letter MUST be presented to the UWP before it could submit the name of its nominee for election by parliament. Without this letter, there can be no nomination PERIOD.

    Mr. James is correct in referencing Sections 19 and 119 of the constitution and the Speaker is wrong in her interpretation of the constitution. The Prime Minster’s explanation of Section 119 is wrong and this matter deserves judicial intervention.

    Why should the speaker read a letter from the PM stating that the President has informed him of x or Z? Why can’t the President’s letter be shared with Parliament and the people of Dominica? Is the presidency of creature of the PM or the Constitution of a democracy of and by the people of Dominica?

    Are we satisfied that we have fulfilled Section 19 of the Constitution, when we claim that the special meeting was said to be triggered by Section 19.3 but the PM had only advised the speaker of the intention of the President to vacate office without producing any documentary evidence in support of his? Personally, I find this highly irregular.

    If the PM is saying to us that there is little time to consult within the 14 days after the resignation of the president then we may need to have an amendment to the constitution as a living document for it would suggest that our constitution is not working in our modern day democracy. However, as it is today, we must follow the constitutional provision. We cannot continue to engage in selected conduct and follow selective interpretation that makes a mockery of the constitution. We cannot pick and choose which constitutional provision that we should follow and decide when we should follow it irrespective of what the Attorney General may advise.
    The constitution does not provide that the President should write to the Prime Minister to inform him of an intention to demit office. If the President feels so inclined to write, he should do so directly to the Speaker of the house. If he is prepared to write to the PM he should have copied his letter to both the Leader of Opposition and the Speaker of the House. The President has acted ultra vires to the provisions of the constitution and the Speaker has acted unconstitutionally in calling for a special meeting of parliament without having been advised herself by the President of his intentions to demit office.

    I beg my fellow Dominicans to forgive me for my rumbling, ranting, raving-for those who understand animal language- forgive my constant braying like a donkey on this matter. However, I strongly believe that we must do a better job and pay closer attention to our constitutional provisions. Certainly, we can do better than that. We do not always have to engineer ways of undermining the constitution and creating unnecessary controversies. There is no grey area of which we should consider ourselves at this juncture. All we have to do is ensure that we do the right thing at the right time.

    I wish my Parl. Rep in the Roseau Valley was sufficiently astute, knowledgeable and brave to speak wisely and boldly on these fundamental constitutional matters or at least educate himself on such matters so that he could speak in defense of the constitution and gain the respect of his constituents.

    Let me serve notice, as a constituent of the Roseau Valley and a lawful citizen of Dominica, that I shall challenge the outcome of the election of the next president before the courts as believe that the entire process is unconstitutional, especially as the Prime Minister has already admitted that the President only wrote to him and advised him of his intention AFTER the conduct of the unconstitutional consultations with the Leader of the opposition. I believe that the entire process has been unconstitutional from the start and we need to have judicial interpretation of the applicable constitutional provisions for the election of the incoming president.

  14. Anyway
    August 25, 2012

    I suffering!! And who cares? My salary finish before i put it in my purse and who cares>?
    Another mou mou to get rich while the poor suffering.

    Dominica have alot of poor people and I am one of them.
    Dominica have a few rich people…..

    • Poor?
      August 26, 2012

      Really? Poor people don’t have computers and internet to sit and type online. Poor people eat the back of trees, drink mud, sift through gabage and walk around in rags. Do you still think that you are poor? Sure we would all like to be a step higher but dont call poverty on yourself and our country.

      • Reader
        August 27, 2012

        Are you for real? That is what it means to be poor? smh

      • 1979
        August 27, 2012

        is this your requirement for classifying someone as POOR? DOMINICANS HOlD ON TIGHT!!!!!!!! only when we are DRINKING MUD will we (the POOR) be acknowledged!!! till then we will have to bear the yoke without just reward..

  15. Conscience
    August 25, 2012

    Congratulations to my former boss. You have what it takes. Best wishes.

  16. Jean Bef
    August 25, 2012

    I think the people should vote for the president.

  17. Ron C
    August 25, 2012

    i worked with Mr. Williams whern he was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. This is a man with “balls”. Never mind his physical stature. He has what it takes. Maturity, intelligence, morals, ethics, a family man and well experience in both the public and private sector. Believe me the owner of the UWP and Spaggs know that this is a no nonesense man. Eddie must have at some stage worked with him if not on anything else but on matters related to the Banana industry. Eddie, as owner of the UWP and a sworn opposer to every thinhg Skerrit proposes know too well the Eliud Williams is an excellent choice for President.In fact Eliud was PS when Eddie became Priem Minister. He was among the more senior PS when Eddie wasa in large and in charge. But when Eddie got the opportunity to granthim a promotion to be Cabinet Secretary, Eddie turned to the most junior PS at the time and bye-passed Eluid. So is long time Eddie is after Eliud.

    He will speak his mind in as a forceful a manner as he can but with theu utmost respect for everyone. He has his weaknesses like all of us (who doesn’t have) I have had my own brush with him when he was PS, but my one down moment with him does not and cannot detract from the person he is and the quality of personality he will bring to the office of President experience.

    I endorse the viewof one of the bloggers who called on Spaggs to give Salisbury a day in the brilliant sunshine of Dominica. Spaggs will never be PM soon, not as long as Eddie is around, here is a apportunity for a man of deep roots in Salisbury to be supported for the highest office in the land. Spaggs give “Zaffant Ma Black” a chance to occupy Dominica’s White House – even if you do not support its construction. Let Salisbury reign Spaggs. Eddie don’t cvare about you and salisbury except to guarantee him a parliamentary seat.

    Welcome President Williams. I sincerely hope you will be availabel for the next period 2013-2018.

    • him
      August 25, 2012

      @Ron C You started off well, but you ended like a political nincompoop,fool, koshonyee, Mackak.
      If you are talking about a man you know and what he can deliver, why do you stray so much? Politics or laziness has shrouded your corrupt mind, so it no longer contains sense.

  18. August 25, 2012

    So who did the Opposition nominate as President of Dominica? That’s what i have been waiting to hear to make a good deliberation.

    • Reader
      August 27, 2012

      Didn’t you see the news? Is Blessings for President. Two Jean Sen Joe so either way, the next president of Dominica is from Sen Joe!

  19. cool running
    August 25, 2012

    I hope UWP nominate Sir Brian Alleyne! He is a statesman with a wealth of political knowledge, knowledge of our constitution, a man of high esteem, and knowledge and wisdom which Dominica and the Skerrit led administration is badly in need of at this time.

    • Mouche miel
      August 26, 2012

      So is the the current failed to live up to qualifications and expectations.( A formr authentic DLP supporter who out of oppotunism stayed moomoo like ur suggested inividual was under mamo)
      Now another Mamo loyalist who instead of alowing others of grater honesty and abilities be denied of a position of PS in Agri/forestry held two(2) P.S positions simultanously out of spite for the non-aligned individual he seeked to deny.
      Skerrit;s choice is just a cut from the DFP cloth the infiltrates of the authentic DLP.
      Its all as a former leftist french new philospher of the 68 student once titled his best seler,Opportunism with a Human face.
      A fundamental reason for DA retrogression from the 70’s.

      • Mouche miel
        August 26, 2012

        excuse typos .
        observed

  20. Morihei Ueshiba
    August 25, 2012

    Since skerrit become pm i find mister politicizing Dominica across the board. We have alot better choices for president of Dominica and he knows it, only politics mister can play with our nations future. 8)

  21. *
    August 25, 2012

    Can one man violate the constitution and due process like that? I am calling on the opposition to demand the letter of resignation of the outgoing president, and unless it is obtained,their resolve should intensify to the point when Skerrit is forced to humble his stupidity and arrogance.

  22. 4u2C
    August 25, 2012

    D/Ca Citizen- You are not fair to the opposition and to your parl-rep by you bias opinion. MR. John has never said he is not in support of Mr. Williams. The opposition has a right to oppose and propose. What is wrong with that? That is democracy!! There are rules in the selection and if the rules are adhered to then ther is no issue. What is wrong in following the rules? We do it of of DA but its hard to do it for the benefit of the country?Skerrit is NOT GOD neither Jesus Christ as many of you may think.
    Mr. Wiilliams is a distinguish Dominican and we love that. That does not mean there are NO MORE distinguish Dominicans in the country. Thats why there is a selection and voting process. Please folks lets us be fair and let the politician follow the rules in doing the country business. Stop painting everything RED and BLUE!! Damn, we getting on as if our brain is LOCK and can see beyond colors and doing what is right!! We make foolish and stupid decision look like the new NORMAL.
    The opposition has a right to ask for the president resignation latter or else we have 2 Presidents. DOes the constitution allows that? Steeping down and resigning is NOT the same without a letter of resignation. You mean we can’t understand basic CRESH/Pre-school English any more? If we do not do this right soon it will be MR Lin Chu that will be the new President…They watching us!!

  23. smartz
    August 25, 2012

    Did any one see marpin news friday evening?what i found rather interesting was the body language of the Prime Minister.for me it doesn’t matter who they give that position the only thing i see them do is cut ribons and read speeches during national holidays(papi , seems reasonable lol) :lol:

  24. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    August 25, 2012

    Once the person is confirmed by Skerrit,it raises eyebrows.NO HOPE!

  25. Southern Belle
    August 25, 2012

    All you can jump high, jump low, give this comment all the thumbs down all you want, Eliud for President!

    Knowing Mr. Williams and his calm demeanor, he must be reading those comments and having a good laugh.

    God bless and guide you sir as you execute the duties of the highest office in the land.

  26. bwa kwaieb
    August 24, 2012

    What’s the purpose of Dominica’s president again?

    • .
      August 25, 2012

      To drink whisky, and to encourage others to violate the Constitution!

      • hj
        August 26, 2012

        HA! it seems so these days eh? :lol: :lol:

      • St.Joe
        August 27, 2012

        Williams is not allowed to drink.It will create problems with his prescribed medication from his days growing up in St.Joe.
        Ask those who know what is the malady.

  27. Looking in
    August 24, 2012

    HA. Here goes the little bit of democracy we had left…..The PM is yet to make the letter of resignation from Mr Liverpool available to the opposition, but he has made public the DLP candidate for President,,therefore letter or no letter,,the Opposition will be forced to play into the PM trap and lack of respect for the Law of the land, by making public their candidate. I am just fed up with what is going on in this place.
    Who knows if Mr Liverpool really did resign on his own free will or is being forced to do so….We finish

  28. Coco DiFiolo
    August 24, 2012

    “Mr williams is the government choice for president” Mr Skerrit said.Mr Hector john and the rest of the UWP gang have yet to disclose who their nominee is.Fellow citizens who is the peoples’ choice? Isn’t it time we the people of this nation demand real constitutional chane? The constituion under which we live and work needs some serious revision to more accurately reflect the dreams and aspirations of our people.As you can see zeh-zeh and magee politicians are making political mileage out of this very important matter.Let me say one thing Mr james is within his rights to ask for a formal letter of resignation from the head of state. Now is not the time to play political hoop sehwey.Grow up and stop playing the royal donkey all of you in the blue corner.You in the red corner pull up your damned socks, roll up your sleeves and get to work.”All of all you is one commess”

  29. LIKE OR DISLIKE
    August 24, 2012

    @????????? How do you expect to get MILK from the cow when you did not feed the cow..HAND GO,HAND COME.

  30. Justice and Truth
    August 24, 2012

    Just imagine the words, Hector ‘demanded a letter of intent’. He did not ‘request’ it but he ‘demanded’ it. Hector, did you really say that to the PM? Man, you need to learn respect and graciousness. You are a politician, representing the people, those who support you and therefore specifically under this circumstance, you should choose a better, amicable choice of words. Keep in mind that you are addressing the Prime Minister of Dominica. He is not your little boy and underneath you nor in your position. When are some of you going to learn this and act accordingly? You give Dominica and politicians in Dominica a bad name.
    What letter of intent? It is known that President Liverpool is not well and he intends stepping down. All Dominicans are aware of that. Therefore, what letter of intent do you need to confirm “his intention of resigning the presidency?” Are you insinuating that he will change his mind? Think and act as an intelligent politician.
    The PM called a meeting for that purpose. Therefore, should you be ‘demanding’ a letter of intent? Is this not the height of stupidity and creating discord, giving the PM a rough time?
    The simplest, uneducated person would comprehend it and not demand a letter to that effect. Why not you who are supposedly educated and, experienced in politics? Should you not know better than to ‘demand a letter of intent’? Under the circumstances, I think it is uncalled for. People are not stupid. Politics eh? Some of them try to show their authority but they fail.

  31. Great
    August 24, 2012

    Excellent choice

  32. As I see it
    August 24, 2012

    Hector letter or no letter u were consulted, your nominee will not see the light of day, so get serious about this country and agree with PM Skerro and lets all move on to the next issue. All u too like to waste progressive people time!

  33. Che'
    August 24, 2012

    Steups….that country is going diagonally from top to bottom…..

  34. Alice
    August 24, 2012

    Mr Williams is a suitable candidate and deserves support and respect. The opposition must stop behaving like tormented misfits. UNITE for God’s sake.

  35. plawey
    August 24, 2012

    frankly i don’t see any need for a president

  36. MARIGOT
    August 24, 2012

    ARRRboy!!!! and the plot gets thicker.popa gad

  37. D/CAN CITIZEN
    August 24, 2012

    I know Mr. Williams personally and can say MOST assuredly that he has distinguished himself both in academia and in his professional life. He’s a stateman of noble character. I fully endorse Mr. Eluid Williams for PRESIDENT but then again the decision is NOT mine.

    I am very dissappointed that the opposition party through its leader would oppose such a noble man for president. The most shameful and dispictable thing about the behaviour of my parl rep HECTOR JOHN is that he’s effectively REJECTING “a man of the soil” who has his roots embeded in the bowels of the beautiful coomunity of Salisbury with several BLOOD RELATIVES (nieces/nephews)there.

    So Sprags, must salisbury always be IN OPPOSITION and amongst the MINORITY? Salisbury people are proud, progressive and productive and wish to see one of our own rise to the highiest “OVAL” office in our land. May I advise you that this community will not know PRIME MINISTERSHIP for A LONG TIME TO COME so DO NOT CUT yourself and the rest of your people short with the foolish agenda of opposing for opposing sake.

    Please remember that when your government was in power and nominated Mr. Vernon Shaw as president the opposition then acted very maturely and in a most responsible manner by putting COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY and accepting you’lls nominee.

    First of all you are seeking to effectively build a wedge between you and Mr. Williams which is so unecessary because like it or not he is the NEXT president of Dominica (President William please rise above that). Mr. John you guys have NO VOICE nor CLOUT in the scheme of things and so your counter monination is an exercise in futility and a waste of time and scarce resources. Please note that this process that that was initiated today SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. This attitude to “throw everything labour proposes out of the window” is unpatriotic and a blatant attack on our civility and a shaby semblance of DEMOCRACY!

    One day I shall be the speaker of the house of assembly and we shall see!!! This nonsense has got to stop for the sake of country.

    Mr. John I urge you to do the honourable thing by Monday morning and indicate to the country unequivocally that your approach was based on poor judgement and wish to forego your privilidge to nominate in support of Mr. Eluid Williams as the next President of the COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA!

    • Justice and Truth
      August 24, 2012

      @ D/CAN CITIZEN

      You know what they are like; always opposing. They will keep on opposing as if they know a better candidate. I do believe that on occasion, if not all the time, people as he take advantage of their position. They are not rational. Everything is temporary.
      Hector stated that he is ‘not completely ruling out the possibility of supporting the Government’s nominee’. See what happens then.
      Note Williams’ credentials and experience. If they oppose the PM’s nominee, someone else will have to surpass them.

    • August 24, 2012

      Are we reading the same story on DNO if not I would suggest that you re-read the story once more because by now I must say the English language it’s most common therefore even you should be able to understand it. I am not a suporter of Mr.John but dont comment on words that was never said Mr.John knows what the PM is capable of he cannot be reckless and must follow the letter of the Constitution, why is it that the people of Dominica are so hell bent on disrespecting the CONSTITUTION which is the LAW of the land no one is above the Law regardless of their degrees, potions held or even the village they come from doing things right is what matter. So Citizen and Pawol you both have a problem and with your attitudes one cannot help but wonder if the CONSTITUTION mean a hill of bean to either of you this process haven got to do with party politic but I guess both cannot help yourselves everything must be political God help us all.

    • Choice X
      August 24, 2012

      your argument that hector should support eliud nomination primarily based on his place of origin, is rather a puerile and downright retrogressive approach to governance. Your further sugestion that if Hector supports him it would make for the president having better relations with him, does severe damage to the character and mettle of the nominee as it potrays him as biased and unprofessional.

    • Looking in
      August 24, 2012

      Why is it that some of us has to be so foolish? Mr John has not, and he said it, ruled out the Government choice for President of Dominica, he also has the right to choose a candidate. What he wants from the PM is a letter to show that Mr Liverpool has given a date he plans to vacate his office and is doing so, the Office of The President of Dominica is made vacant. Why is that so difficult to understand? Mr John just want things done the way the Constitution said it should. Apart from the PM, has anyone heard from anyone else that Mr Liverpool is planning to vacate his office?

      And if the PM don’t make that letter available…..that goes to show he has no regard for the Law of the State. So sad.

    • Anonymous
      August 25, 2012

      Are you stupid or something? wasn’t liverpool a joint nominee?

    • cool running
      August 25, 2012

      D/Can Citizen, I know Mr. Williams personally as well and I agree with you that he is a statesman of noble charater as pointed by you. Is he a good candidate for president of Dominica at this time? My answer is, not with Mr. Skeritt as PM. Under another administration that honors the constitution of Dominica, Mr. Williams would definitely get my vote.
      You see, before Mr. Liverpool became president, he had all those qualities you mentioned about Mr. Williams and he was supported by workers. However, after he took the oath and tasted that wine of Skeritte, he became the worse president that Dominica has ever had. So I agree with workers. Bye the way, Mr. John did say that they might support the candidacy of Mr. Williams but at the moment, they want to see the resignation letter from the sitting president.

    • Just Thinking
      August 25, 2012

      Who said sprags was rejecting “the man of the soil”? He only indicated that the opposition had a nominee as well. I think they have that right just as much as the party in power. bashing the man in your long speech for nothing smh

      • Peeping Tom
        August 26, 2012

        :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    • Another Citizen
      August 27, 2012

      D/can Citizen, I could not agree more! You are on point and on the ball with this one. I know you have really introduced a great debate here and as was expected a number of people would either take offence or vehemently oppose your view point and that too is very healthy in a democracy. People want to take you to task for stating the Mr. Leader of the opposition and his party are opposing the government’s choice for president. D/can Citizen, you are absolutley correct to draw that conclusion because had the leader of the opposition and his party agreed then last Friday’s convening of a parliament would not be necessry. I heard Spags myself say that the party has its nominee so how could he have a nominee in mind if he was not oppsoing Mr. Williams. I dare say that it is hypocritical of the leader of the opposition to then say to DNO that he doesn’t rule out the government’s choice. The only way they will concede is if their nominee bails out on them and then full of pretense they’ll offer a statement and say “in the interest of putting party before country, we the UWP has decided to support the government’s choice for president as Mr. Eluid Williams is…..bla bla bla”. The next few days will be VERY INTERESTING!

  38. Monsieur Pawol
    August 24, 2012

    United Workers Party… wake up and smell the coffee… Find your selves and suitable candidate to the selected by the Dominica Labour Party, and then Dominicans will know how serious you really are about governing…

    Without giving you the letter of intent to resign, the Prime Minister has publicly announced his candidate while you their gesticulating about the letter you will never get… so go get yourselves a candidate who can rival williams… get somebody like SIR BRIAN ALLEYNE… or shut up. :lol: :lol: :lol: :?: :?: :?:

    • Just Thinking
      August 25, 2012

      And you proud of that? Skerrit can say what he wants and you people think he’ll go unopposed…good for you but I am a free human being with an independent will, and need no handouts. I am not a puppet nor do I think a country’s leader should act as a puppet master. How’s that for your coffee?

    • Monsieur Pawol
      August 26, 2012

      I meant find your selves a suitable candidate to rival that selected by the dlp…

      I am right… skerrit do not give a damn if uwp do not select a candidate… i think uwp should select a candidate. there are many better canddates than eluid williams…

      i think sir bran alleyne, if he accepts will be a better choice for president… :wink:

  39. Monsieur Pawol
    August 24, 2012

    I smell a rat… A BIG, BIG, BIG… \… :lol: :lol: :lol: :cry: :cry: :cry: I cannot help but laugh and cry, laugh and cry, laugh and cry…

    • Big Nose
      August 24, 2012

      No! Is ….. you smelling likea RAT ……

      • Monsieur Pawol
        August 26, 2012

        :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: ok i expected you to answer because we slept together last night… remember you are the RAT and I am the CAT… so since we slept together i have your scent nah… damn i cant even shower because you know how cat fraid water…lol,lmao :lol: :lol: :lol:

  40. ?????????
    August 24, 2012

    Now the PM needs to confirm what he is doing about the unemployment rate on island, the hardship that MAL A WAY is going through in this country,and why the cow is giving just one tiny fraction of the population milk, and why the others are beggars.

    • ____________
      August 24, 2012

      Ha! Ha! Ha!….I like that. Some of you are what you are because of this labour Party!
      Is the same MAL A WAY and them that put him there. Let them take what they get.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 24, 2012

      Wait for a suitable forum/article to state your comments. They are irrelevant at this time.

      • August 25, 2012

        shut the hell, what the hell you doing there as well, that about all those negative comments you posting and posted in the past, this is Dominica and not Toronto Canada, i am residing in Dominica never cross the waters and will not do so, I did not sell my birth rights ok

        When you people in Canada going through your elections etc, we in Dominica do not get involve, let Dominican in Dominica express their concerns regarding things effecting them in Dominica

        All you do is read people’s comments then cast your stones challenging each and everyone, this is Dominican affairs as i said and not Canada, some of you Dominicans outside DA, too like roro ok

      • August 26, 2012

        Likewise yourself, too many times you do not steak to the topics posted, you need to attend/go to/wait for a religious forum to post your Catholic this, Mother Mary this and that, according to you your Catholic Doctrines/Bible comment, yours as well are irrelevant at the time

    • hj
      August 26, 2012

      well idk nuh… i does get my milk from Isa or Astaphans… :lol: :lol:

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