Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said the United Workers Party (UWP) should not rejoice at the recent decision in Antigua where a High Court judge threw out three election results of Baldwin Spencer’s Government.
Astaphan said the fact that allegations of flying voters in was made in Antigua and failed may provide some guidance to us here to this extent that it is difficult to prove allegations of bribery and draw the distinction.
“There are fundamental differences in the allegations that were being made. The one common thread seems to be that you have to go through extra ordinary lengths beyond just making the allegations to prove a case of bribery.
He said the matters upon which led to the results of the case were different to what is currently happening in Dominica.
The UWP has filed five election petitions against the government of Dominica contesting the results of the December 2009 general elections, which resulted in a landslide victory for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
In their petitions the UWP alleges the DLP won 18 out of 21 constituencies by bribery and unfairness.
Those constituencies are the St Joseph constituency involving UWP’s John Abraham and DLP’s Kelver Darroux; the Roseau South seat involving UWP’s Bobby Frederick and DLP’s Ambrose George; the Salybia constituency involving UWP’s Claudius Sanford and DLP’s Ashton Graneau.
The seat of DLP’s Petter St. Jean – parliamentary representative of the La Plaine constituency – is also being contested by UWP’s leader Ronald Green.
The Vielle Casse seat won by Parliamentary Representative Roosevelt Skerrit is also being contested by UWP’s Maynard Joseph.
– DNO Correspondent
Ron Green rejoicing and the Attorney General of Antigua is his best friend and the best friend of the UWP. Come on Ron, get a life and relax in your retirement and read the The Financial Times of England and see what the stock market is doing.
Tony , what do you really believe? You advised the Antigua Labour Party to put on their petition before court, that flying in voters from overseas is BRIBERY , yet in Dominica you telling Roosevelt Skerit and the labour Party that flying in voters from overseas is not BRIBERY. What irony? You are really a man of two tongues. Should you be trusted? I don’t think so.
At this point the issue is not about numbers or UWP getting back i n power. The real issue that many off us are afraid to face is fthe fact as it pertains to the laws of D/ca. It is obvious that the Labor Party supporters are too bias or ignorant to uderstand the legal implications. I’d say to those off us who are not legal experts shut up or do some reading or research on the isue before we post our comments.
well 20 hard years is coming
In a court of law, ethics and morals across the societal divide is not argued. What is argued before a court is the law. Why would trained legal minds look at the same piece of legislation and come up with different meaning/interpreation? Shouldn’t we as lay people allow the court to take its course based on the strength of the law? Why do we call each other such downgrading names?
To prove corruption and bribery is a matter of the law – not what we think somebody might have done. Come on my people, if the law were to adjudicate based on ethics and morals, then again we all practice different levels of ethics and morals based on what we beleive to be right or worng – religious or otherwise.
De truth must be brought to light
The comments I read are unbelievable if braking the Law of the land is just then we as DOMINICANS have to ask ourselves why are our relatives are in PRISONS come on we have to be realistic when wrong is wrong we have to admit it . .If we dont understand what the CONTITUTION is about then think of it in those terms and just maybe some of us will think before we speak or write such nonsenscial comments.
I am not a DLP, UWP, Freedom supporter but that do not mean I do not care about my COUNTRY and what is being done to it I am educated eoungh to know write from wrong we may not have all the answers but we have to stop speaking in terms of people who do not support the PM are jealous of him it’s not a poputarity contest.
If the COURT rules those seats in question were illegally obtained so be it we will have bi-elections to fill them and who ever wins we know that the system worked and we can begin setting in motion electoral reforms especailly the Voters List which is needed immediately..
We claim we love our PM and that’s good but dont think that he’s above the law he is the commnder and chief he must set the example so when he does wrong just dont sweep it aside and pretend it’s alright that is not healthy for him or the Country remember he is human just like all of us he makes mistakes too.
As Dominicans we need each other so let us stop distroying ourselves with hate and hostility and remember we are fight for DEMOCRACY for all.
Let Ron rejoice for Antigua because he got alot of crying to do for the case in D.A…and is no tears of joy..
If God was from Marigot who would see your EVIL WAYS. Get with the program God is for us all. Marigot people need not bash tony and skeritt the Good Lord is doing that already. LAY OFF MARIGOT FOR WITHOUT US YOU ARE NOTHING OR NOBODY , and you can take that to bank . just can’t keep good people down .
Lets say for the sake of argument the court gave the UWP the 5 seats they are contesting 5+3=8 UWP CANNOT WIN. They need to get that in their head!! Some of the 5 seats that they are contesting were won by over 700 votes, these were not close votes by any means. Why are they contesting them, I fail to understand??!! This is a losing endeavor. The court is not going to give them the 5 seats (IF) they win. There will be a by election and they are sure to lose 1 seat in that by election. There is no rainbow at the end of this tunnel!!
Mr. Spencer won his seat by 500 votes, it was challenged, Spencer lost, so what’s with the margin of victory crap? And WHO TELL YOU there will be a bi-election? Read your laws. Zeh Zeh.
Stay tuned is fast becoming a nuisance.
A nuisance you cannot challenge. Prove me wrong on anything I say here nuh? Allu doesnt ready, allu doesnt inform allu self of nothing. All allu know is Labour Powers, Workers and etc. Allu cannot hold no sensible debate on a matter because of lack of knowledge of laws, procedures and standard practices. I am a proud nuisance for making points here that is way beyond some of allu level of understanding and intelligence.
We will see who is the zeh zeh . Me or you and MR Green
Because some know that it takes a lot of time and one has to go through many hurdles to prove that bribery occurred, they go ahead and take their chances to bribe or continue to induce people to break the law. I heard lawyers, politicians, pollsters, other professionals take comfort in defending acts of bribery. Many in high places consciously commit or support such immoral acts of fraud or bribery whether in elections or in other areas and escape justice because of their social status, or some technicality. Even there have been evidence and proof of those acts, justice is so delayed that it seems that justice is denied.
Once proof of wrongdoing can be substantiated and enough evidence can be shown there is no reason why such cases should be difficult. or take so much time. Justice delayed is justice denied. Nobody should be above the law. By the way, will Tony be paid from the Treasury or by the Party? Either way, it makes no difference. No dog bark. A special parliament session may be hastened to secure parliamentarians approval to pay Tony from the State’s coffers. No nays, the ayes have it. But don’t you think that each party has to bear the costs not the poor people?
President Karzai was reelected amidst massive election fraud that the world has acknowledged. But apart from those acts of fraud and bribery world leaders agree for him to remain president. What absurdity.
even though I don’t agree with your comments at least you sound like you know what you’re talking about, unlike the idiot Stay Tuned.
i think you should have a talk with your buddy because he/she isn’t doing the opposition any favours by trolling on here. Stay Tuned is an embarrassment to the UWP as if winning only 3 seats wasn’t humiliating enough.
You need to tatoo Stay Tuned on your forehead….hahahaha. I am all over your body, your mind and your soul.
Why a ll the hating stop bashing the UWP, God is not from china or venezuela, and his last name is not skerrit , IT is FAIR and JUST without FEAR or FAVOR and when his case is called it will be without any prejudice , his senior council will be JESUS CHRIST and JUSTICE will be served.
God is not from Marigot either.
And why you not stopping bashing Skerrit and Tony Astaphan. What good for the goose is good for the ganda. Stop the crying. Hypocrite!!!!
Earlier all we were hearing was that Skerrit was a French citizen so he could not be qualified. Now this talk seems to have vanished from the UWP’s petition because if the citizenship idea was to be presented Ron Green himself would not stand a chance. He is a U.S. citizen. I would like to know whether Ron has dropped this issue?
This is just a reaction out of desperation by the UWP who cannot see themselves being reelected into government soon, so they are trying to concoct every plan possible to see if they can gain an advantage. When Skerrit contested the elections in 2005 wasn’t he a French citizen then? How comes no one said anything then? You see, the UWP got so badly beaten at the polls that they are trying petitions to wipe away the shame from their eyes. Mr. Green himself is ashamed because he got rejected by his constituents even while he was the party’s leader.
Now let’s look at the Vieille Case constituency. On what basis are they challenging the results; citizenship or bribery? They cannot claim bribery for Vieille Case because we all know that Maynard Joseph could never win Vieille Case on a UWP ticket because everybody in Vieille Case know he was a Freedomite and served in the Freedom Party government. In addition, the UWP slapped Vernice Bellony in the face by not giving her a ministry in the area of community development where she was once local government commissioner and she was more qualified for the position that the one chosen by the UWP government, so you think Vieille Case people stupid to vote UWP again?
The UWP claims that the Vieille Case seat is being contested by Maynard Joseph. What lie? I know Maynard very well because (we are blood relatives). It is the UWP using Maynard Joseph to do their dirty work. Maynard Joseph just happened to be the only other person who contested the election in the constituency and the UWP knows that if the petition succeeds then automatically Maynard will be declared elected. If there was a third contestant they would not have made the petition because Vieille Case voters would vote for the other contestant and not for UWP’s candidate.
Now here is the biggest lack of mathematical and common sense of the UWP. Maybe the only one who had the economist sense (Julius Timothy) is now with the Labour Party. Supposing the UWP was given the 5 seats as a result of the challenge? In addition to the 3 seats they now hold they would have 8 seats. Can the party be returned to office with 8 seats?
And how on earth, a man who did not even win his seat at the polls still remain the party’s leader and leader of the opposition? I think the wise thing for the party to do is to appoint Mr. Norris Prevost as party leader. Unless appointed as a senator he cannot even participate in the house. It is no wonder they organize the Peoples’ Parliament because Ron Green would not have been able to get an audience in the real Dominica parliament.
UWP must come better than that. It is apparent that Mr. Green and his UWP’s actions are self-serving. They are just hungry for power. I hope they are getting ready for the possible bye-election.
Well fank u!!! well said…i dunno y dey fink we would EVER vote for MJ?! stupes tan
I don’t even think Maynard family voted for him. I also understood that V/Case people hates him and if anything goes against Skerrit they will take it out on him.
So Maynard is walking around with a big bulls eye.
Watch out Maynard
This post is filled with alot of lies, exaggerations and frivolous claims. I am very familiar with the happenings in that court matter. I am in constant contact with MJ. We speak about that court matter all the time. You are a big fat liar. I doh even waste my time and read all your horse manure. Time I see you say you know MJ…and UWP using MJ…I realise you just a counterfeit. But is them kinda vibes those labourites like…so you feeding them with it.
Do you think that the number of posts you write is a measure of your intelligence? Well you must remember the saying that “empty vessels make the most noise”?
You think that by having a little chat with MJ that you know him better than his relatives and his village folks. Take some time off you idle schedula and go to Vieille Case and you will prove for yourself that my horse manure is worth much more than the pig shit you post day after day that have no substance in them.
You could not read through all my post but you term them lies. Why not complete reading the post. You are afraid that you would read more truths that you cannot stand to bear.
You are nothing more than a UWP boomboom fly
wishful thinking my friend….its only wishful thinking….
I can dissect every single line of yours….yep you heard right…every single line…
But I didnt have enough idle time the day….I still doh have enough idle time today….
So you never know..when my idle schedule permits…I may just respect to your post in its entirety…
In the mean time….feel nice…hahaha
Humpty again?
As I said befor Iam just waiting for the by-election to call. I have all my stoff ready to come down.hat, shirt pen, cop,. bag,. and all , so i coming well prepeard
Tell the UWP. They will get what they looking for.
You missing one thing for you to be well prepared and that is….THE CONSTITUTION. Put on your glasses and read it. Then tell me where you seeing provision for bi-election and under what circumstances. SOT!
Some of you people are so pathetic its a frigging shame…..you Dominican in de BVI…the word is..”stuff”.
Will you people STOP WITH THE POLITICAL TRIBALISM PLEASE!!!!!,..Enough already ….THINK OF YOUR COUNTRY…DOMINICA. PUT IT FIRST AND FOREMOST….Take a serious look around you,your economy,your state of affairs in your country are you satisfied? ARE YOU PRODUCING ANYTHING?..WHAT ABOUT YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE?….TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR NEIGHBORING ISLANDS,WHERE DO YOU STAND IN REGARDS TO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT?
THINK OF YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE,IS THERE ANY FUTURE FOR THEM IN DOMINICA?….A COUNTRY WHO NEGLECTS ITS YOUNG PEOPLE HAS NO FUTURE AT ALL!!!!! IS THERE ANY HOPE OR IS IT DOOM AND GLOOM???? I SAY PLEASE PUT THE PARTY POLITICS ASIDE AND DO AWAY WITH ALL THE POLITICAL TRIBALISM NOW!!!!!…PLEASE COME TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF DOMINICA!
I AM BEGGING YOUS……
So you mean to tell me UWP still believe they could win that election. Boy them man not easy…Well now workers want to use the late money they get there…So the economy will boost for the time. More airport tax will be paid. Maybe they could bring down some big artist! hmm…they will loose one out of their 3 seats for sure…them man cyah be serious!!!
DNO, where is the confused icon?
What is dis person really saying?
Stay Tuned I know you’re not too bright and your brain might overheat if you try to process information too quickly. So let me dumb it down for you.
Sasquatch is saying that UWP likes to waste time but if they want to give Dominicans more free siwo then they can go ahead with the call for new elections.
Love you too Cartman…lol
i think that this is just a matter of common sense 3 and 5 is 8 that still means uwp will not be the government and 21 – 2 is 19 because uwp will still lose and they will surly end up with just 2 seats.also lets be real dominicans must be thankful for all that we have achived in the past 6 yrs with this government and support them in all they do to bring develoupment to da.if the courts wants to stand in our way by going contrary to the voice of the majority because its the people that have spoken then we take to the streets in demonstration but peacfuly. lets just allow the gov to stand its term and if they fail its left to us to speak again on election day
their is rejoicing going on in antigua,but that is just the being,of the process it is a long court battle their are step to be followed we all just have wait to see the result the ppl has to go back to the polls and elect a government the they want to represent them so i am asking the ppl to stay calm stay out of any confrontation with the red and the blue and i love my second home,the two countries antigua and dominica a very different in the case of election matters,the whole thing about it is that the polls should have been opened at 6 am and did not so thats why antigua is in the state it is now.
Workers when will you get it!!!!! The people of Dominica have voted against you. It is clear, why are you still fighting against our democracy.
lol…papamet
The one common thread seems to be that you have to go through EXTRA ORDINARY LENGHT beyond just making the allegations to prove a case of bribery.
Yes I Tony . Give UWP the messaage loud and clear. They themselves sent plane ticket for overseas people. Man, the hypocrisy of those people.
Let the bi-election call. Pevost is one that losing His seat for sure.
Long live Our PM Skerrit. Jealous they jealous him!!!!!!!!!!!
hahaha..
Tony is using his failed attempt at proving his claim of bribery in Antigua to say now that Bribery in Dominica will not carry weight. Loud and clear Tony. lol
Jealous they jealous! LABOUR, LABOUR, We love our PM, we voted for him well thank you fellow Dominicans!
…should have ask Tony, did he provide evidence for the bribery claims.
They should have also asked him, on what grounds were the bribery charges dismissed.
They should have also asked him, is the law with respect to bribe the same for Dominica and Antigua?
Let the fools rejoice if they want to. One thing is evident and important in all of this and it is that notwithstanding all the useless talk and throwing away of money in ridiculous petitions the UWP CANNOT and WILL NOT be returned to office anytime soon in DA (at least not under 20 years,if they’re lucky). At the end of it all THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS!!!