ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) election observer mission is suggesting several ways, including the use of voter identification cards, to enhance the democratic process in Dominica after finding the voters register to be “bloated”.
However, the OAS team and another independent mission from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) both gave the electoral process that returned the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to government the thumbs up as having been conducted in a “free and fair” manner without any major incidents.
Head of the OAS observer mission, Steven Griner, said his 18-member team visited “100 per cent of the polling sites, witnessing voting firsthand” and that “our general impressions of the electoral process in Dominica were extremely positive”.
Meantime, Hensley Robinson, who led a delegation of seven representatives of the CARICOM mission, was equally pleased with how the election was conducted.
“The mission’s assessment of the poll is that voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, and that the voting process was conducted in an orderly, free and peaceful manner,” he told a press conference on Saturday.
“The process was transparent and the secrecy of the ballot was respected,” said the Barbados elections chief, adding “the mission believes that the outcome of the elections was a true reflection of the will of the people”.
After hearing complaints from political parties and other business and social groups in addition to monitoring the process, Griner said the OAS observers would be outlining six initial recommendations to bolster Dominica’s voting exercises in the future.
Among those suggestions is the introduction of official voter identification cards as the island is one of few Caribbean countries to implement the concept. More than 67,000 persons are on the voters register in a country that has an estimated population of 72,000.
“The mission recommends that the newly elected government, in consultation with the opposition and the Electoral Commission, consider the implementation of an identification card system.
“Providing cards to registered voters in Dominica will allow for the complete revision of the voter registry, which by almost any measure is bloated,” Griner said, noting that the need for a voter identity card “appears to be an issue in which there exists a consensus that cuts across party lines”.
The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which won only four seats compared to 17 for the DLP, alleged that the ruling party had induced Dominicans living overseas to return home and vote to ensure it retained the government.
Griner said the OAS team had been alerted to the alleged practice but was unable to substantiate the claims and added that the issue could be addressed under future reforms.
“While the mission cannot verify the veracity of these claims, it encourages the parties presenting the allegations to provide evidence to the appropriate authorities of Dominica for further investigation.
“Likewise, legislation defining the appropriate use of funds to bring voters to the polls should be considered.”
Griner noted that it is not uncommon for the Caribbean to have large populations living abroad and for many of these citizens to return home to vote.
“The legislation in Dominica requires only that a person be present in the country one time during a five-year period and have his or her name on the voters list. Any efforts to regulate the providing of transportation to members of the Diaspora should not impede on these citizens’ right to vote.”
Pointing out the election campaigning in Dominica, as elsewhere in the Caribbean, is becoming increasingly expensive, Griner said: “Campaign financing represents an important priority of the Organization of American States.”
The OAS official said the hemispheric group has started to initiate measures to “reach a cross-party accord to promote transparency and accountability, which could set a high standard for the region”.
Robinson agreed that the issue of campaign financing “will be a matter for legislative provisions”.
Another bone of contention for opposition parties during the campaign was access to media, especially to the State-owned Dominica Broadcasting Corporation and the privately-owned Kairi FM radio station.
“Again, the current legislation in Dominica does not provide any benchmarks for access to the media. The legislation could require that media outlets provide political parties the same opportunity to purchase primetime advertising at the same cost or it could stipulate a certain amount of free advertising,” Griner said.
Both missions have promised more in-depth assessments of the poll in the coming weeks. The OAS mission will present its document to the next sitting of the OAS Permanent Council in January, while the CARICOM team will submit its recommendations to the regional grouping’s secretary general, Edwin Carrington, before taking them to the public.
Although there were five parties contesting the election, it was always seen as a straight fight between the DLP and the UWP – held true by the preliminary results.
The once mighty Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) appears to have been condemned to the political graveyard after failing to make any serious impression with voters and was shut out from Parliament for the second successive time.
Tags: Election 2009
i see a bunch of lazy people
Prophet! If you are a prophet why don’t you just accept the results of the election. God has spoken; He sets up and brings down. Go pray for the PM and the country. That’s what prophets ought to do, ‘Praying”.
It has been prophesized that this government will be in power for a very long time and their is nothing else to it. We only have to work with the government for the betterment of the country; NOT TRYING TO PUT DIVISION! ELECTION IS OVER and we have to move on with business as usual. STOP THE HATING PPL and lets live with each other in love. THE PM is human and he deserved the leadership just as you woud want Ron Green to. One to win one to lose. It would be chaos to have two leaders so accept the loss and get prepared for the next election.
MAY GOD BLESS THE PM AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS LOVELY NATION, DOMINICA.
nuff repect the the dominica labour party
labourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr power
To prophet, please spell God with a capital G, thank you
to prophet, you sent me back to read and guess what i did just what was asked of me and found out that there are different types of prophet and you are a false one, you would have forseen your defeat at the polls.
i hold L.LB and P.H.D, because i could read. i have read the book of samuels and can explain it to you.
MR. False Prophet. by the way do you know what is a prohet, i guess not, so just but the FALSE before .
Well, if someone bought me a ticket to come to vote plus, i’m getting paid to vote, then i guess id come vote too… But is it fair for persons who have not visited their country for more than 8/10 yrs to come and vote when they are not the ones feeling what we are feeling here. Then you all go back and have ham and turkey when pple here cant afford a ham and turkey cause they have no jobs… No one is telling you that you dont have your right to vote but think before you act. This election was not fair at all… I hope red clinic is reopened!!….. I hope everyone who voted this party back into power has a job and can feed his/herself and their families.. I hope that you all can obtain jobs very soon.. :-)……..
Well, its all labor now. They might as well take all the 21 seats.. Once i’m still eating I’ll be just fine. Praise The Lord..
LMAO I THINK U ARE VERY INSANE. EVER HEAR OF THE SAYING WHO LAUGH LAST LAUGH THE BEST. SPIT UP AND IT WILL FALL ON UR NOSE. KEEP POINTING FINGERS AND SEE HOW MANY ARE POINTED BACK AT U. THE LABOUR PARTY HAS WON CONGRATS TO U NOW GET TO WORK IF U HAVE ONE AND SHUT UP. I WONDER HOW MANY PERCENT U ARE GETTING ON YOUR SALARY FOR VOTING LABOUR
Congratulations to PM and the elected officials!!!!!. We in the Diaspora are praying for you all. Please continue the good work you are doing and bring Dominica to the next level. Why isit wrong for Dominica who live overseas not to vote. We contribute to DA on a regular basis barrels, boxes, money, etc. We have homes, property, businesses in DA. Why can’t we have a say to our future. Dominica is our home and some day, God’s willing, we will be returning to live there. What do we want to return to, a country which is the same as in the past or a country that is developed???? PM Skerrit keep up the good works and we will continue to keep you in our prayers.
GOD BLESS YOU AND OUR LOVELY ISLAND OF DOMINICA!!!!
I cannot wait to see how Skerrit plan on being parliamentary representative in 17 constituencies because according to the people is Skerrit they vote and not Ambrose, Blackmore, Justina etc……
Now the people in Roseau South in particulare I hope we will hear no more complaining about lack of water or proper roads or facilities becuase after nine years of nothing your outstanding support for Ambrose indicates that you are satisfied with the ‘nothing’ you are getting from him … well from Felix Thomas anyway because it really seems that he is the one who is there. Then again it was Roosevelt Skerrit you guys voted for and not Ambrose or Felix …..
Bottom Line there should be no more complains!
hope the observers were not bought the ruff necks run things in Dominica not integrity a morals.
civil servants and port workers will take what they get. 2% for the civil servants take it or leave it and no panyments for port workers.
hahaha we will see who will be rejoicing and laughing over the next five years.
time will tell. all sewo done bck to reality, hard days are ahead
I am a Dominican living abroad but I visit ever so often and send everything home… Money, foodstuff, you name it. I have bank accounts in Dominica and my husband and I have other investments there. My husband visits several times a year to check on those investments, spending 3 weeks maximum on every visit. Is it fair to tell me that because i live abroad, despite all our contributions to the Dominican economy, that I should not be able to return to vote for the party of my choice? Well, that’s nonsense because a lot of us in the diaspora contribute more than you who live on the island.
As a matter of fact, remittances from abroad and the Ross University, School of Medicine are two of the largest if not the two largest contributors to the Dominican economy. By returning to vote, I am not only exercising my right but also making sure that my investments fare well and reiterating that I am truly 100% Dominican to the bone!
labour win yeah i know they wud just not like that, UWP losing so many of it’s seats. WOW the ppl made their choice lets see what happens in next 4 years.
Workers and Chelsea Faithful here!!!
Good ppl find happiness in misery. pray that Labour makes it better and not worst… no promses just work and prove to me and the counrty that Dominicans didn’t make a mistake.
am not Blue vex LOL
as mush as i love DLP i don’t believe that domnicans leaving abroad should vote ,it’s not fear because who is in the kitchen that feeling the heat,so you are not leaving in dominica u should not vote and that should stop ,let who is at home decide there own PM
Congrats to the DLP,I must say please keep doing well.I LOVE MY PM. I wonder what is calypsonian going to sing next year,patto must be busy changing lyrics. hey dice it’s nice that you finally choose the right side Labour POWER.
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO THE LABOUR PARTY FOR WINING SO SO SO SO BIG,,,
………………………………………….CONGRATULATION………………………………………………………………..
………………………………….THE PEOPLE HAS SPOKEN……………………………………………………
NUFF SAID
@ DEY DUFF PEOTEST 2 MUCH dominica dont need all of us.it only needs those who were chartered to come in to vote let them come back and work and pay taxes to build the country.things good they say so let them come back.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD, TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE. DOMINICA IS ONCE AGAIN UNDER THE SUPERVISON OF SKERITT AND NO ONE CANNOT CHANGE THAT NOT UNTIL THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. DOMINICAN ALL AM ASKING IS FOR US TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP THE PRIMEMINISTER DEVELOP DOMINICA, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR MAIN CONCERN IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DOMINICA AND NOT WHO IS RUNNING IT SO IF WE KEEP TALKING ALL THESE NEGATIVE TALK, WE ARE ONLY MAKING IT WORSE AND THINGS WILL NEVER GET BETTER TO THE EXTENT THAT DOMINICA NEEDS TO BE, SO ONCE AGAIN LET US PUT ALL OUR NEGATIVITY,HATRED,SELFISHNESS,IGNORANCE ETC ASIDE AND HELP BUILD AN EXCELLENTDOMINICA, A PROSPEROUS AND PEACE FULL NATION CALLED DOMINICA, AND A PLACE WHERE MORE TOURIST WOULD LIKE TO VISIT AND WOULD NOT WANT TO EVEN LEAVE WHEN THEY COMES. ONCE AGAIN TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.
God is not a Poilce. Let the righteous be righteous still, and let the wicked be wicked still. Vengence is mine says the Lord. Every pig has its Saturday. All what was donin darkness must come out to light.
Pray for Dominica that the wrah of God is not kindled agaainst us.
well well dominican s al u not easy eh after allthat money skerrit spend in the election to gain vote al still saying it was fair.
Now wat about them people living overseas holding american citizenship al u stillwan tthem to come and vote.
Wel go back home and worl live skerrit say al u cannot pay al mortgage al u livignin hole in newyork and new jesery
al u have to wait for every fiv eyears to come to dominca when labour give al u the ticket
It was not FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
BUT I HOPE WHEN THEY ASK SKERIT TO PAY BACK ALU WILL NOT FEEL SORRY
AL U ASKING FOR THEEDUCATED DOMINICANS LIKE RON LINTON AND ANGELO THEY DERE
NOAH PREACH AND ONLY 8 WERE SAVE AL YOU MUST READ THE BIBLE WELL EVEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DISOBEYED A GOOD MESSAGE FROM GOD . WELL THEM PEOPLE IN DIAPORA THAT GO AND VOTE ON BIRBE AL U DAYS ARE COMING AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE HIGER AUTHORITIES .NOT LINTON SPEAKING NOT RON SPEAKING I AM LIVING IN THE US AND I AM DOING MY RESEARC
GO BACK AND EAT AL U 6 EGGS AND DOMINCA CANNOT AFORRD TO SHARE
PER FAMILY. sHAME EAL U HAV ETO PAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
DOMINCA AL LONE THAT CAN HAPENNNNNNNNNNNN DOMINCA IS THE DOOR MAT
WHY DOMINICANS LIVING OVER SEAS HAVE TO GO AND PUT THEIR PEOPLE
IN POVERTY AND LEAVE THE NEXT DAY TO COME BACK TO THE U. S
TO EAT THEIR HAM AND TURKY FOR CHRISTMAS ? IT IS A DAMMMMMM SHAME
SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE I HOPE YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU JUST DID TO YOUR
OWN PEOPLE YOU JUST PUT THEIR BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS
ONLY TIME WILL TELL IT IS SO SAD THAT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE THERE
TO UNDERGO THE HARD SHIP THAT IS COMING AFTER THE HONEYMOON
ONLY TIME WILL TELL ITS IT IS SO SAD THAT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE THERE
TO UNDERGO THE HARD SHIP THAT IS COMING AFTER THE HONEYMOON
I can see you don’t go to church either or you have never read the bible. you fools that are rejoycing will be the first ones crying
Duan Pin go learn to read Please its abvious you haven’t done that in a while stop making a fool of yourself
Will anyone consider absentee ballot for individuals who live overseas. Absentee ballots could be counted through OAS observer missions. Don’t try to shut me down, we like the American ways and that is one way to consider and I guess then there will be no talk of bribery then. And Dominicans we all have a country to run BLUE, RED, YELLOW, GREEN, ORANGE, WHITE these are someof the colors in the rainbow and they are on the sky after storm has passed side by side can we now try to forget politics and be a nation under God one wiithout trying to hurt each other. We all have to go six foot deep if some of us get there but in the mean time for the sake of our children who look up to us let us learn to respet each other despite our differences.
God can allow bad things to happen if He/She wants to prove something…remember Job in the bible.
well future will tell.hahaha!!!!!
to prophet, when God blesses he adds no sorry and no where in the bible record that God gives wrong gifts . i guess you read that from the new way manifesto which is on line, redline, clothes line, red line, imaginery line, skyline, try not to use the word of God in the wrong context as this is an element of blaspheme. To God be the Glory
CONGRATSULATIONS TO THE PM AND THE LABOUR PARTY OF DOMINICA . LABOUR POWERRRRRRR.MR MATHEW WALTER BIG UP AND LETS TAKE PAIX BOUCHE AND DOMINICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL
where are the bands of articulated wooligans? there mouths are shut, they seem to think GOD is dead…..but HE is wide awake and HE wll avenge us from our foes.I pray that u all stop this hatred on Q95.DOMINICA NEEDS ALL OF US……PEACE!!!
labour LABOUR
U LOVE UR PM
U WILL VOTE FOR HIM ……………………………………………………….
THANK U GOOD NIGHT
LOL
LOL
STOP THE MADNESS MY PEOPLE!!! “Dominicans” who feel that “Dominicans” leaving overseas should not take part in the election process are insane….If you become a citizen of another country fair enough stay out of the process but for Green Card holders and those with work permits leaving overseas they should be entitled to vote – I would even suggest having an absentee ballot for such individuals.
Why are we so quick to banish “Dominicans” leaving abroad when they contribute to Dominica’s GDP. If you don’t want the Diasporas to vote then return all the western unions/wire transfers/ and barrels that we send so frequently.
Congratulations to the DLP – UWP and DFP YOU WERE THE WEAKEST LINK GOOD BYE!
WELL IT WAS TIME TO GET RID OF THOSE BLOKES, I WONDER IF THEY CAN SLEEP RIGHT NOW TO SEE THAT DOMINICANS PUT THEM TO SHAME AFTER ALL WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT OUR BELOVED PRIME MINISTER.
THEY DID NOT REALISED WE HAD A PLAN AS BIG AS A 19 SEATS VICTORY FOR THEM.
BUT WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PASS A NEW BILL IN PARLIAMENT AND PUT THE DEPOSITE OF CANDIDATES TO $5000.00 SO UWP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COME AND SHOW THEIR SELF ON US NEXT ELECTION.
TOO BAD THEY THINK THEY WOULD FOOL US AGAIN, AND NOW IS TIME TO GET ON TO SANFORD AND HIS CLICK FOR THEIR ALLEDGE MISCHIEFON THE P.M’S EMAIL.
WE DOMINICANS WANT RESULT OR WE WILL MATCH TO BRING THEM TO JUSTICE, AVOID US
what is Linton and Allen saying? anyone heard from them?…… have they confirmed the venezuelan warships on the dominican coasts during elections?…….. i seen to remember them claiming to have ‘evidence’ of such requests made by Skerrit.
Ron Green is such a disappointment to RUN SUCH A DISGRACEFUL CAMPAIGN HELMED BY THESE TWO WANNA-BES………………………………..
PEACE!!!
Tell Linton this is a shot your mouth election result.
There was a chance of all seats going to one Party it is left to each of them to bring out their Plans and Programs in the PROPER WAY, not “in a new way”-on line.We read the manifesto of Labour but up to now I cannot Download “The Green Way”.So therefore the masses only read what Labour had to offer and went for it.No Castle Bruce Dollars,no closing of Quaries and no filth like what came out of the mouth of Don Christopher at Newtown.
Labour now has enough power to do whatever they feel like and that’s scary. There’s not much opposition left so we’ll see what happens.
Balance don’t worry about Ron Green He is an educated man who will be successful where ever he goes , he has all his degrees and his home and his kids are are educated and successful. you need to worry about yourself and family for what is come. All those who are celebrating now will be crying later because Da is doomed, we are on the road to becoming exact replicas of Cuba and venezuela. Dominican’s who are dancing in the streets now will be loading up boats like sadines looking to escape from a life of misery and pain vey soon. Sometime God gives us the wrong things that we ask for when we disobey him as a form of punishment. Evil will reign for a long time but when god is willing and ready he will HIT THEM HARD TO THE POINT OF WHERE THEY PERISH. remember HITLER !!!!!!!!!!!!
Well Linton will come up with something,like” THEY WERE PAID BY THE PM”or??????????
I trust that the almighty will bless the island of Dominica and congrats to the elected official.
I wonder wat will become of him seein dat the opposition leader has jus lost his sit!
I guess that this report is another loss for the Hon Ron Green, since he was certain that there was going to be an unfair election… first his seat, .. *sniff, ….sniff, …..sniff* then this?!! when will it end…..?…… boo hoo…
hey, i guess he’ll sleep like a baby tonight………… (sleep, wake-up in the middle of the night crying, ……. sleep wake-up in the middle of the night crying……… sleep, wake up in the middle of the night crying……..)… sleep, wake up……….
HEEHEE HEE
PEACE!!!!!!!
Very good reporting.