UWP demands electoral reform to participate in Parliament

John

Opposition leader Hector John has said the Opposition’s full participation in the House of Assembly in 2012 depends on the response of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to a request for Electoral Reform.

The Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has not been participating fully in Parliament following the December 2009 General Elections which they claimed was plagued with corruption.

However John told an interview with the media that the recommendations for ID Cards for general elections have been echoed by the Organization of the American States (OAS) and the Chief Election Officer.

“That is what we are asking the prime minister, to make available the $5.2-million requested by the electoral commission. We will participate in parliament. We want to participate in parliament but no one is asking the prime minister when he is going to make the money available,” he said.

John said for any democracy to work and thrive, a free and fair electoral process is essential.

“Why should this not be a reality? For any democracy to work and thrive, you must have an electoral process that is free and fair. To have an electoral process that is free and fair in this day and age, you must have electoral reform meaning ID cards for voting and cleaning up of the list,” he explained.

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87 Comments

  1. forreal
    November 17, 2011

    okay i am trying to understand your demands john,although i think your name is weird and reminds of patrick john,but whatever, moving on,the id cards are a right thing,thumbs up for that,the 5.2 million does the government really have that kind of money right now,and last are you saying that if those id cards where in place before the elections,you guys would have won.

  2. Why
    November 17, 2011

    Dominicans dont understand issues at any level period

    its a proven fact Globally..thats why folks with money dont invest in Dominica…

    its really not worth it..

  3. November 17, 2011

    I AM A REGISTER VOTER IN THE U S A ,I WENT TO THE POLLED SEVERAL TIMES I ONLY SHOW MY DRIVER LICENSE,, I CAN SHOW ANY GOVERNMENT I.D ,WHY A UNDEVELOP COUNTRY VERY LOW POPULATED,VOTERS REQUIRE VOTER I D ELECTORL REFORM.YOU GUYS TOO POLITICAL.THERES ALOT NEED TO BE DONE SPECIAL THE CITY,THE OPPOSITION SHOULD PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT ON THESE ISSUES, BECAUSE U GUYS DOESNT WANT TOO SEE DEVELOPMENTS.

    • mouth of the south
      November 17, 2011

      that’s because the ones in power use schemes where by people vote twice or more using dead people names

      • stupes
        November 17, 2011

        have you had any reports of dead people voting in an election in Dominica? give the facts not the dreams of corruption or un fair electoral process. the uwp won with the same list and with Voter ID cards and this has been the process from since whenever, if you cannot prove unfair elections or fraud in the process then you do not have a case. I believe that it is necessary though but this cannot be a reason for boycotting parliament. where is the evidence that this is a problem where is it, let me see the evidence that the absence of Voter ID Cards got UWP to lose the elections, in 2000, 2005 and 2009.stupes.

      • stupes
        November 17, 2011

        I MEANT WITHOUT VOTER ID CARDS AND THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER HAS BEEN REQUESTING VOTER ID CARDS IN ALL HIS/ HER REPORTS AFTER EVERY GENERAL ELECTION WHY DIDN’T THE UWP DO IT WHEN THEY WERE IN POWER AND BEFORE THE 2000 GENERAL ELECTIONS? WASN’T IT IMPORARTANT FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION PROCESS THEN MR JOHN??? STUPES

      • real possie
        November 17, 2011

        u should know mots u been posting under diffrent names on dno so u must think every one is like u.

  4. patriot
    November 17, 2011

    BOSS IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANY THING CONSTRUCTIVE TO DO OR SAY SPEND SOME TIME SHINING YOUR BALL-HEAD.IT’S GETTING DULL.

    • Anonymous
      November 17, 2011

      Your comment is that of a man/woman who is really idle..Empty and stupid.

  5. November 17, 2011

    to DNO:
    can you please do up a poll on the Government’s achevement for the world to see. because i suspect that the opposition and a few so-called Dominican want to put our beloved Country on a black lease.

    • ?????
      November 17, 2011

      There must also be a poll on all the bobol,and questionable acts…We will now see who is man.You must cry afterwards.

  6. November 17, 2011

    you sound so much like a Dam child, what do you know about fairness, you all getting paid for doing nothing,not even representing the few people that vote you all in office. and you talking about fairness, what you are not seeing is that, you all are down to Doom.almost in the grave. you need to stope, take some time and rebuild you party for the next election if you live to see.and stope talking crap.

    come on man grow up and be real.
    are you dictating that Government do voter’s ID card.5.2 mill. for what. Dont you have a passport? Drivers card, social security card. and os on.can you give the Government some ways and means how they can raise the money for ID?

    • T
      November 17, 2011

      You sound like someone who is lost in the BVI.MY advise is that you contact the International Red Cross to pay your passage back to this poor failed state so you will beg like a paro.

      • stupes
        November 17, 2011

        YOU HAVE REALLY MADE YOUR PARENTS PROUD WITH THAT COMMENT.STUPES

  7. cool mr cool
    November 17, 2011

    IF SKERRIT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE $5.2MILLION TO PROVODE VOTER ID ,ELECTROAL REFORM WHAT EVER THEY CALL IT,CAN I SUGEST THAT UWP ALREADY GETTING MONIES UNDER FALSE PRETENCE,WHY DON’T THEY TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND PUT IT IN A FUND TO PRESSURE OR FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THE REFORM.aLREAY YOU ARE STEALING MONIES MONTHLY, SO THE THE NOBLE THING ANG GIVE UP THE MONIES YOU HAVE NOT WORK FOR .
    PS YOU ALREADY STEALING MONTHLY AND YOU NOT YET INGOVERNMENT ,WHAT YOU GOING TO DO WHEN OR IF YOUY GET IN .STEAL DAILY? IF YOU CAN DO THAT NOW ,I CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOU WHEN ,LIKE YOU PREACHING SKERRIT CORRUPT WHAT ABOUT YOU(uwp)? ISN’T THAT STEALING OR WOULD YOU RATHER CALL IT”HAND OUT” nO I DO NOT THINK SO HANDOUT IS BAD ENOUGH ,BUT GETTING MONEY UNDERFALSE PRETENCE IS A CRIME! SO DO NOT JUDGE THE GOVERNMENT,GET YOUR LAZY BUTT INTO PARLIEMENT AND DO YOUR WORK!

    • Anonymous
      November 17, 2011

      Stop your bull crap..Go and ask the ministers who have become millionaires overnight there to do that..If you had only half a brain you would have known that’s what to recommend, but i guess you are a Skerrit fool and parasite.

  8. Zandoli
    November 17, 2011

    ELECTORIAL REFORMS IS A MUST..PERIOD..WHETHER ITS LABOR, WORKERS, FREEDOM OR WHOMEVER IS IN GOVERNMENT.

    WE MUST PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY…TO ALL NAY-SAYERS; TAKE YOUR SILLY EMOTIONS OUT OF IT….

    BLESSINGS!!!

    • Posse
      November 17, 2011

      Yes electoral reform!! but we have to back track it to 1995, let us see who did the most bobol during elections. Workers remember you were the first one to start that rigging the election, you transferred persons from canefield and mahaut and you registered them on one address in Roseau, you sent hundreds of plane tickets for persons all over the world to ensure that you would get some extra votes. I know cause you sent me one. So what we need is election audit, and the audit will begin from 1995. I bet if Skerro were to call elections tomorrow, he would still win 18 seats and may be more. Workers no offense to you but not even election reform will get you back to office.

  9. LATITUDED810
    November 17, 2011

    The uwp were the ones who abuse the electoral process by registering resident of wesly marigot laplaine etc in to addresses in Roseau where this individuals never lived and they have no idea where those addresses are.you all are collecting monies from the state for doing nothing that is stealing state funds and you all have no moral authourity to take to young people about work ethics including bazil who is incharge of insuarnace at a bussiness place.
    hector you are just a puppet on a stringe the string is pulled by eddison j, you will never present any budget debate in parliment you are just a puppet

    • ....................
      November 17, 2011

      I recommend that they don’t go to this so called Parliament among these rogues which you adore.This Parliament is there only by name,it’s polluted and corrupt. Surely not a place for these respectable men.

      • breal
        November 17, 2011

        Hector boy just stop your bull sh** i am just getting fed up with your holistic approach to our current situation and world development.who is ever going to make u represent then as a leader of a country.If u want to enter the political boxing ring pattern on our PM skerit and put on the necessary attire.Oh please hector get out of d COMMA.

  10. Anonymous
    November 17, 2011

    have any of u been following the news from the caribbean ……………..ANTIGUA spent so much money on that same thing did u all notice what happen in the 2009 election? right now they are in the house trying to pass a bill to correct it they say people wise up hector if u not going in the house pls don’t take the money at the end of the month leave it to pay our teachers and policemen pls

  11. patriot
    November 17, 2011

    HECTOR TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK THE MONEY YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING FOR NOT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF YOUR CONSTITUENCY.

    PLEASE MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE $5.2 MILLION REQUESTED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.

  12. 100% DA
    November 17, 2011

    If my boss hires me and i show up for work sign in and walk out 5 mins after you think i would still have a job when i should be at work for 8 hours? They need to put something on the books to make sure people with such mind set don’t use tax payers money in such a carefree and careless way. You was elected to serve your people i don’t think that is the best way to do it. I hope the voters of those villages have enough common sense to throw those fools out of office next election. Guys this is not about you it’s about us the people of Dominica.

    • Really?
      November 17, 2011

      Well…What about elected officials who are getting paid big salaries and doing just what they want and not what the people who voed for them want. 6 of on 1/2 dozen of the other. Both sides stealing from the country, just in different ways.

  13. D'can By Marriage
    November 17, 2011

    The question to Hector John is What are the priorities for any government in a recession? Is it using 5.2 million dollars on electoral reform or utilise that same 5.2million and help develop the economy. Is the UWP living in the same times as the rest of the world right now? While I agree giving the electorate all necessary securities to ensure that their votes are awarded to the people they intended, In this present financial dilemma, Dominica in my opinion needs every drop of finance to keep it afloat. Oh suppose Skerritt give in to their demands and ordinary Dominicans start to lose their jobs what are they going to say that the Government incompetent. To me electoral reform can wait till DA starts to see a brighter day financially. I rather feed my children than go and buy a new pair of shoes that will only stay under my bed because I already have enough I can where till times get better.
    If UWP really want to challenge the Government(DLP) well its in the house of Parliament that should be done. Get off your fat backsides and return to where your constituents vote for you to be. Do you also think that electoral reform guarantees that UWP will return to Government.. Newsflash. Only Death and Taxes are guaranteed my learned Friends of UWP. In the interim Hector you and the other 2 UWP MP’s kindly spend the next fortnight reading and meditating the book of Proverbs and what is says about fools. Trust me you wont regret do so. I think I have said enough for now..

  14. Jbfox
    November 17, 2011

    Am in favor of electoral reform but what the opposition defrauding Dominican tax payers by getting paid each month without working.please calculate how much money u have stolen from us, give it back.

  15. The truth
    November 17, 2011

    I do not understand why they come into the media demanding things from the government, when the place where they need to be making such demands is in parliament. They are getting paid and not representing the voters. They are the opposition, they do not only represent their constituency. They represent all of dominica when they put valid pressure on the government. Every country needs a working opposition, they are the ones who keep the current government in line. Boycotting parliament is clearly affecting dominicans in general. Then, when the government just go ahead with what they think is best, they in the media. Why not put the pressure on them in parliament, before they make the decision, while the discussion is fresh. Be the ones who inform the public of certain plans before the government. UWP allow the Gov to do things in their own time then they come crying. FAIL! That is what UWP is doing for Dominica, failing the country

  16. Really?
    November 17, 2011

    I cannot understand the need for $5.2 million in part to clean up the list, which I favor. What r the workers getting paid to do, not a job? Why isn’t cleaning up and stayn on top of the list part of that job? Its not rocket science. And for those who like to compare DA with the USA, right wrong or indifferent, US doh have voter ID cards. Ur name on a list at ur voting station u sign, they may ask u for ID and you vote. End of story. Again, right or wrong thats just how it is.

  17. November 17, 2011

    DOMINICANS CAN YOU REMEMBER THE DAYS OF MISS CHALES AND MIKE AS OPPOSITION THEY NEVER MISSED PARLIAMENT HIGHT OR LOW WATERS THEY WERE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE THIS GUYS ARE MAKING ARE JOKE OUT OF MY LOVELY PEOPLE OF DA
    THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE DOMINICA I KNOW SO

    • breal
      November 17, 2011

      Is not spraggs alone but there will be legislation to stop MATT ANGELO LENNOX,AFFI,DON,BLESSING,and the rest of the crew.Presently how i see it that crew is creating problems for me internationally, especially when i travel.i could be rest assured that in MAMMO time them thing there would be history.Mr.Pm i am calling on u again to shot that thing down. u c how far that has gone.luck up them boys if P.J took jail so can they.

  18. Privy
    November 17, 2011

    Spaggs elections is December 2014. We have enough time to make National ID cards which can be used for voting. Spaggs go and find some work to do and stop stealing the taxpayers money. UWP should be ashamed of themselves, but time will tell.

  19. Graduado
    November 17, 2011

    Gentlemen of the UWP,USE YOUR GOD-GIVEN TALENTS WISELY OR JAH WILL DEAL ACCORDINGLY—STOP COMMITTING PARTRIOTREASON —YOU GUYS BEHAVEING LIKE YOU LIVING ON ANOTHER PLANET,AND YOUR POLITICAL-MOTIVATED ACTIONS THOUGH HURTING THE COUNTRY WILL NOT AFFECT YOU,,,,HISTORY WILL DECIDE

  20. MangoSweet
    November 16, 2011

    ….So Let us see who have “more ladiwaye”

  21. Annoyed
    November 16, 2011

    these people are just sore losers. They represent people opposing the government real badly. Accept defeat and work on a strategy to come better next time.They are a poor excuse for an opposition and clearly have no solid contribution to make to parliament.

  22. Born Free
    November 16, 2011

    Unless there is a military coup (highly unlikely after the impressive showing of the uniformed forces on Independence day) or PM Skerrit decides to step down under pressure from the masses due to the number of unresolved allegations against his Government (it does not appear that the allegations bother either Mr. Skerrit or the masses at all), the next time Dominicans most likely will go to the polls is in 2014.

    So what is going to happen until 2014??? I hope UWP’s largely unacceptable excuse for not participating in Parliament is not going to be either voiced, written, “blinged” until then. Because when 2014 comes around, UWP might just have to stay away from the elections for the same excuse!! By default, they will give DLP a mountain slide victory of 21-0.

    These continuous media appearances just to repeat the “electoral reform mantra” will serve as a disadvantage to the UWP, especially if Mr. Skerrit decides to hold off on implementing electoral reform until the last nail biting announcement of the date for the next general elections.

  23. GAL
    November 16, 2011

    I AM NOT FOR NO PARTY BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
    KNOW HOW LONG UWP WILL STAY OUT OF PARLIA-MENT SESSIONS. ELECTORAL REFORM OR NOT.

  24. mouth of the south
    November 16, 2011

    wow!!! D.N.O allu really change eh… i’m not talking about party nonsense… i’m talking about u all stifling people opinion… if is dat allu doing why don’t u all give merrick back his day to day job of running d.n.o cause whoever at the helm really starting to rub us (the public) the wrong way… not me alone that have seen the trend….

    all i said on the commissioner’s bail article was that…. ‘aawweee karette getting praise for something tyani have been advocating’ and u all find not to post it… u all saying is mistake this and that… but with 8 comments how was this one missed… d.n.o u all will force somebody else to open up another more competitive website eh…. besides when i check the layout… d.n.o leaves alot of room for competition… and plus u all not maximizing facebook effectively… numiziczone have more likes than d.n.o… what does that say??? hhhmmmppphhh

  25. mouth of the south
    November 16, 2011

    a bunch of red ants on that blog talking horse dump…. cchhhaaaahhhhh

  26. Valley Rat
    November 16, 2011

    $27million is being spent on a state house where we could use this money for education, health, agriculture, ans infratructure, skerrit can borrow $5.2 million for the cleanup of the voters list, its dominica democarcy at stake.

    • The truth
      November 17, 2011

      but in order for them to make those requests, where must uwp be? parliament… no?

  27. Spirit
    November 16, 2011

    Electoral reform is ‘issuing ID cards and cleaning up the list”. How pathetic. Spaggs John was elected twice in quick succession (within one year). Spaggs John consider himself to have been duly and legally elected to represent the people of Salisbury – and he is so right. Edison James, like Spaggs was also elected twice in quick succession. Norris Prevost though, chose not to test the Roseau people twice in quick succession. In each of the elections cited above there was no ID Cards. All three UWP candidates will tell the world that they were duly and legally elected. They are right.

    So why then under the same conditions in the same general elections, the election of the other 18 memebers of the 21 member House of Assembly is illegal simply on the basis of no ID cards. How then can the election of the other 18 members without ID Cards and cleaning up the list mean that democracy is at stake? Is Spaggs serious? Does he have any understanding of what is double standards?

    The party that Spaggs John represent have no moral right to demand electoral reform or else ……xxxx. They were in government and the record will show that the only reform they attempted was to jerrymander the constituency boundaries in order to give their party an advantage in five constituencies. It was Tony Astaphans and URBAN BARON who took them on in the High Court and of course the record is there for all to see. They lost miserable not only the court case,but they were quickly catapaulted out of office. They will not forgive the people of Dominica for that.

    Can Spaggs point to any effort on his part to clean up the electoral list in the constituency where he represents? Or is he saying that the voters list in his constituency does not require “cleaning up”? Has he made any representation to the electoral office in this regard – starting inhis backyard. One would have thought that in his efforts to clean up the list nationally, he would have started in his constituency by identifying the names of those voters (dead or alive)that ought not to be on the list and then make such representation to the Electoral Office. He still has a few more days so to do before the final Voters list is published on November 30th 2011.

    More impprtantly, in 2012, very early at that, Spaggs has much to ponder. Indicatiosn are that he will most definitely lose the office of Opposition Leader to Edison James and he will not even be voted as Deputy Party Leader. According to party insiders Spagss is a waste of time. He does not know or have even the faintest of idea of what is his role as Oposition Leader. He should be leading the opposition as everyone before him has. Not responding in the way he has to the former Leader of Opposition. But then Spagss is a “puppet”. He responds to the pull of a cord. If I Had a choice between Skerrit and Spagss for PM – tell me people, the choice is clear. I have to chose between a strong and visionary leader and a puppet. Oh! my God Spaggs. Get real. Stand up for soemthing you believe in or the OWNER of your party will push you aside as he has done to every other young person. According to him, John Compton (in his old days at 82) was his mentor. Age (now 70) is just a number.

  28. Eagle Eyed
    November 16, 2011

    Mr John, this $5.2 Million you asking for to produce a piece of plastic could be spent on much more important things such as: making public buildings and foot paths more accessible for people with disabilities and mothers with babies/toddlers using prams or pushchairs. If you were disabled you would understand how difficult it is for people with disabilities to access public buildings for vital services, all contrary to the UN convention.
    While you’re on the subject of not participating in parliament as a representative of your constituency, why not suggest to your fellow ‘non-participants’ to donate the salaries you have been collecting under false pretense, to some of the charities servicing your constituents and the wider community to help them provide for the needy? This would be your biggest contribution as an elected parliamentarian.
    :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • .
      November 16, 2011

      Eagle Eye go put on human eyes…This is a recommendation of the Independent Electoral Commission. Dominica is the only failed state left without this form of identification.So if your head is numb, go cure it. I support Mr John full time. In fact his party should not take part in any future election without voter ID. That’s how important it is.

      • Magic Crystal
        November 17, 2011

        A Failed state…do you even comprehend the what you are writing or just felt a fancy for this thought.

        Sometimes stupid people say stupid things….

      • stupes
        November 17, 2011

        TYHE ELECTORAL COMMISSION HAS BEEN SAYING SO FROM SINCE FREEDOMPARTY AND UWP CAME INTOM POWER AND DID NOT DO IT BUT CALLED ELECTIONS IN 2000 WITH THE SAME LIST AND WITHOUT IMPLEMENTING THE COMMISSIONS ADVICE ON ID CARDS SO TODAY IT HAS BECOME A DO OR DIOE ISSUE RIGHT? SO MUCH SO THAT LITTLE BOYS ARE NOW BOYCOTTING THEIR PLACE OF WORK AND ACCEPTING PAY FROM THE TREASURY AND YES, THEY Also have alot of integrity. stupes.

    • nac vibes
      November 16, 2011

      Why is your government so afraid to implement electoral reforms, could it be that he would find it easier to cheat?
      You all talk about people should go to parliament and about getting money for nothing but you couldn’t care less about all the money skerrit is making for himself,

      • Really?
        November 17, 2011

        Or the money spent on the state house. Not a neccessary thing. We have been hosting dignitaries for years. What, they not coming because they doh like the accomodations? Dominica really backwards, It really is not reality based. You want it to LOOK good but under the surface it is rat a tat tat… falling down.

    • zuma
      November 17, 2011

      Eagle eye i must commend you on this brilliant piece you are so bloody right

  29. real possie
    November 16, 2011

    Spaggs go ask china for the 5.2mill do your electoral your self u dont have to go work u will still get pay, teachers at dominica state col.working with no pay u not going to work i never hear u say u not getting paid.

  30. dominic
    November 16, 2011

    to tell you the true i really doe care if uwp cgoes to parliament or not, my only concern is they are getting a salary. so workers its your own down fall.

  31. ,,,,,,,,,,
    November 16, 2011

    I ENDORSE THIS 100%… Enough money from the sales of passports to terrorist, so where is the money for ID CARDS?.. WELL SAID !

  32. Sout Man
    November 16, 2011

    Hon. Hector John, there’s a reason why you are in the opposition. Your party is in the minority. In our parliamentary democracy the minority cannot dictate to the majority irrespective of how noble the cause.

    You seem to want it both ways. Salisbury, Marigot and Roseau Central apparently had free and fair elections and the rest of the country didn’t. If you were honest in your allegation of electoral fraud, then you should boycott the results; not parliament. You need to give up your seats until there’s electoral reform. You do not recognize the parliament nor the “fraudulent” government but you accept the salary processed by that govt.

    By the way, I’m in favour of electoral reform too. So is the PM. The PM wants national ID card and you want election ID card. How can you reconcile the difference as grown ups? In the mean time, there’s a lot the Electoral Commission can do to clean up the electoral list; one constituency at a time. Why are they being paid a salary? What do they do each day?

    • Hit the floor
      November 16, 2011

      Nor can the majority dictate to the minority in a democracy. Except in a DICTATORSHIP.

      • stupes
        November 17, 2011

        DONT YOU KNOW THAT IN A DEMOCRACY THE MAJORITY RULE OR DID YOU FORGET TO LOOK UP THE MEANING OF THIS FORM OF GOVERNANCE/ THEN LOOK IT UP AND BLOG AGAIN. stupes

    • simple mind
      November 16, 2011

      Its time for you all to stop this bull-sh..,the electoral commission is a creature of the “Dominica constitution”,and electoral reform is demanded by the “Commission”an “independent body”;neither Hector”Spags”John nor”Roosevelt”christ”Skerrit grants the commission a favour.If your P.M was in favour of reform would’nt he choose to speak the truth in court?instead he chose to be silient.Bro,look at the “Fifth Amendment”in the U.S judicial system;you will agree that it only covers guilt,but does not remove guilt.

      • Truth Seeker
        November 16, 2011

        Yours is a crass revision of the reading of the 5th and its real intentions. Go and study the writings of Madison and Jefferson in the Federalists Papers if you want to understand the reason for including this most important of Amendments to the US Constitution.

        In fact, it was the states who wanted to make sure that no national govt. would be tyrannical in bringing its unbridled power to bear against poor, ordignary citizens. It was and is not to defend one’s guilt. It was a simple attempt to ensure fairness for the poor man against an all-powerful federal govt.

    • Anonymous
      November 16, 2011

      @South man. How idiotic your comment is.You are implying that the minority has no say no stake in nation building? The PM only role is to provide the finance for the Voter ID card. The Pm has no say,and he is in no position to tell the Electoral Commission what to do.It is an independent body.What the PM is doing is to frustrate the processby not providing the funds .Your fool!I agree with Spaggs.. They should not go to ANY PARLIAMENT UNTIL!

      • Sout Man
        November 16, 2011

        My comment is “idiotic” for implying that the minority has no say, yet you are stating that the PM has no say.

        That’s not what I’m saying, anyway. The minority has a right to propose but they cannot draw a line in the sand and insist that it’s their way or the highway. Got it smarty pants? Members of the Electoral Commission are nominated by the government and the opposition. How is that for independence? Who do they report to?

        What’s the role of parliament? How are laws enacted or measures adopted? Some measures require simple majority – 16 out of 30. Others require 2/3 majority – 20 out of 30 while 75% vote, (8 out of 30), is required for some constitutional measures. So the opposition cannot even block a constitutional amendment of certain schedules with their 3 elected members and 4 Senators; (3+4=7). Take it from a “fool”; the opposition does not have the vote to draw lines in the sand. They can only use the power of their conviction, humility and compromise to influence votes from the other side.

        I am not going to stoop as low as you by calling you a fool. You seem pretty intelligent to me. But, please don’t let me get under your skin and have you resort to insults. Man up and argue your point and leave the name calling to umm, umm, umm…I don’t know.

      • Sout Man
        November 16, 2011

        Correction:

        75% vote in parliament would require 23 out of 30 votes. The opposition would require at least 8 out of 30 votes to block a measure requiring 75% of the parliamentary votes.

      • eee
        November 17, 2011

        @South man. If Skerrit reads you immature,and ignorant comment he must bs saying to himself ‘thanks God for ignorant people like you…Doubt you even knew that the Electoral Commission is an independent body,and should be free from political manipulation. Get hold of a constitution man. The one Skerrit cursed! An for you knowledge the minority has a say..You need not go to school to know that.

      • Sout Man
        November 17, 2011

        Let’s be real. The judiciary is an independent and equal branch of government. Should I say any more?

        Going back to the Electoral Commission, 2 members are appointed by the President on the advice of the PM and 2 more on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. He consults with them to appoint the Chief Elections Officer although he has authority to do so unilaterally. The actions of the Electoral Commission MUST FOLLOW PRESCRIBED LAW. Yes they are “independent” within the confines of the law and “SHOULD be free from political manipulation”.

        I thought I made it clear that the minority has a say but the majority has their way. eeee!! You only want to insult me again-“immature and ignorant”. That’s OK!!!

  33. November 16, 2011

    Well,look same s*i* different day.I cannot understand Mr.John.What is happening? Why are you always in the wrong?Why are you always saying something to bring your party down?Or to make you all seem more senseless than you already are.Step up,show us what you can do and let us help you move foward with our support.Until such time…….stop that craziness,it’s doing you no good.That is embarassment.

  34. Annoyed
    November 16, 2011

    I am in no way a support of any political party ans in no way a supporter of our Prime minister but however UWP is getting tired. They need to either play their role in parliament or shut up. Its begin to get ridiculous.

    • %
      November 16, 2011

      THEIR ROLE NOW IS TO STAY OUT OF PARLIAMENT!The very parliament that your mind is telling you that we have in this corrupt Dominica.

  35. doc. love
    November 16, 2011

    THE ONLY WAY SKERRIT OR RATHER THE DLP CAN LOSE ANOTHER ELECTION IS TO HAVE ELECTORAL REFORM.THE UWP ASKED FOR VOTING ID CARDS ,SKERRIT IS ALSO ASKING FOR NATIONAL ID CARDS BUT SKERRIT IS SITTING ON HIS FACE AND REFUSED TO HAVE EITHER VOTING ID CARDS OR NATIONAL ID CARDS. MY POSITION IS ALWAYS IF WE CANNOT GET EITHER CARDS CLOSE THE FLIPPING COUNTRY,AS LONG AS WE JUST TALK NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. THE MOW MOW ATTITUDE IN DOMINICA IS A DISEASE,WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LENNOX,ANGELLO,MATT,MARTIN AND A FEW PATRIOTS ALL THEM FELLARS ARE SICK, THEY ARE AFFRAID TO OPEN THEIR MOUTHS AND TELL SKERRIT THAT ELECTORAL REFORM IS THE PEOPLE’S RIGHT.

  36. TJ
    November 16, 2011

    What is wrong with election reform? I was told my grandfather voted in 1966 but he died before I was born and that was in 1951.

  37. SANDBOOGIE
    November 16, 2011

    A SET OF MAJEEE

  38. Karl
    November 16, 2011

    When will this loser learn? First of all, Eddie will decide to go to parliament when he becomes the leader of the Opposition. Spags need to understand that election reform will be made in time for the 2014/2015 election so he can stick to the people’s parliament and see what he can learn in the mean time.

    • .............
      November 16, 2011

      He will learn when you start having a brain, and you start understanding simple matters.You clearly cannot understand what is the issue there.No wonder we are in such a mess in Dominica.

  39. RAS B
    November 16, 2011

    Why this children melee (maylay)? If you don’t give me a piece of sweety, I will not play with you!! Surely, UWP has embarassed itself sufficiently already for any one to take them seriously anymore.

    What a terrible waste, they continue to draw their salaries and are now laying down conditions inorder for them to do the work that they were elected to do!!

    Is Spraggs insinuating that there has never been a free and fair election in Dominica, Since we have never had ID cards?

    Surely we, the people, are watching the level of disresppect that we are being shown. We note that when you presented yourself as a candidate there were no conditions attached to you offering your services to do the peoples’ work, so you either get your act together or we will remind you at the polls. Remember nothing is forever and 2012 will be the beginning of the third year you are drawing a salary and not going to work, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FRAUD, OBTAINING GOODS AND SERVICES UNDER FALSE PRETENCE!!! Note you have been warned!!!

    • Sout Man
      November 16, 2011

      RAS B, you scare me with that plain talk. I love it!!

    • Hit the floor
      November 16, 2011

      You should not be living in a democratic country, RAS B. You have no idea what you are saying. The leader of the Opposition is talking about Voter ID Cards, a right under the Dominica Constitution.

      • Sout Man
        November 16, 2011

        “…Voter ID Cards, a right under the Dominica Constitution”; says who?

        In the great democracy of the United States of America, the Democratic Party is protesting against widespread state Republican requirements for voter ID cards. The Republicans are using this as a measure to supppress minority votes. Why not just ID cards, they argue? In Texas, for example, a gun license is accepted as an ID at the polling station but a student university ID card is not accepted. What’s the motive.

        In DA, the UWP has its eyes set of a complete re-registration with serious implications for procrastinators, the poor, those who may be turned off now but make up their mind at the last minute and those in Caribbean islands and the diaspora who only have time to come home to vote but may not have been re-registered. Why not just accept a valid ID (passport, drivers license, social security photo ID, national ID card and an optional phased in voter ID card, may be)?

    • nac vibes
      November 16, 2011

      Rasb you cannot be a rasta, go and read your Kebra, if you know what that is.

  40. Porssie Town council
    November 16, 2011

    If the UWP was thinking one step ahead, it would try to raise the 5.2 million dollars and offer it up for the creation of the cards. that way Skerrit would not be able to use the excuse that the cost of the id cards as the reason for their non creation. That way UWP would be seen as serious about fairness and true electorial reform and would have gain alot more credibility while attending parliament.

    We need leaders who are inventors, not fixers. Foresight, not hindsight. Spaggs, please become proactive and start using your brain cells for the future development of Dominica. That is what you are beinr paid to do.

    • Banker
      November 16, 2011

      Too deep for Spaggs to understand.

      • west coast guy
        November 16, 2011

        spaggs cannot understand . thats always his problem.

      • .............
        November 16, 2011

        Instead of the passport money going into the hands of a few corrupt ones, it could be channelled into that.Isn’t that so?

    • Progres
      November 17, 2011

      I suspect this voter ID thing is just an excuse the UWP is using for all their failures and shortcomings. Voters ID or not the DLP will still beat them if elections wwere held today.

  41. November 16, 2011

    Story been told already Hector..On to the next one..

  42. mr p
    November 16, 2011

    Am a patriotic dominican and I fully support mr john enough is enough we cannot allow this gangstars to run

    • L Y O
      November 16, 2011

      O PLEASE,COULIBISTRIE AND MORNE RACHETTE IS VOTING LABOUR FOR LIFE, WHAT U DOING FOR US, JUST TAKING THE UWP YOUNG GIRLS FOR FREE.

    • .............
      November 16, 2011

      Support himn 1000 000 000 000%. They must also boycott any election without it.

    • boots ready
      November 17, 2011

      you doh have a choice doh,behh.

  43. Satelite
    November 16, 2011

    John you just like a big parrot. Whatever you are asked to say you repeat. How the hell staying out of Parliament can allow your wishes to be heard. You think this is a boy scout thing nuh. Get you butt in the house, put your cards on the table, ALL OF ALL YOU and if the Prime Minister wishes not to listen then you can make the next move.

    So what you telling me is this, if the PM does not in some way or the other does not adhere to implementing Electoral Reform, the whole opposition will continue to boycott parliament? Is that the only song your party can sing?

    • MangoSweet
      November 16, 2011

      Sounds like it’s much too late for Sprags & Eddo & Ron to back down now. They trying their best to save face. SO LET US SEE WHO H

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