Dominica’s parliamentary opposition is signaling its intention to take action against the Dominica Labour Party government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, over the issue of electoral reform.
While not specifying just what it will do, the United Workers Party (UWP) says the government should pay for its failure to properly deal with the reform question.
“The time has come for us to take action and not too long from now we will be beginning this action. Talking alone is not enough,” UWP leader Edison James told reporters.
He explained that following discussions his party held with the electoral commission over a year ago, the commission had requested of the minister of finance, $5.2 million dollars to put in place ID cards for voting.
“We are also hearing that a further submission was made this year”.
James said the UWP hopes that its proposed “action” ends with the authorities’ “coming to their senses and a decision to facilitate a simple request of the Opposition”.
According to the UWP leader, Dominica cannot continue to have a group of people undermine the democratic process “to maintain themselves in power, confident that their control of the electoral process will keep them in power, so that they can continue to disrespect Dominicans by doing the things they do”.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said that he favors having a national ID card for multipurpose use including as appropriate identification during elections, instead of a Voter ID card that would be used only for elections.
Voter ID cards are specifically used to properly identify those eligible to vote … A Voter ID card could also be used to withdraw money from your bank, Credit Union, and other identification purposes. So No excuse about providing National ID cards instead. Because our Social Security Card, Driver’s License, passport are used and could be used as national ID card.
The Voter ID Cards would have special marks, or features to ensure elections are Free and Fair. The money must be released to the “Independent Electoral Commission” for the Voter ID Cards and to clean up the dirty/bloated Voters’ List. No beating about the bush. No excuse about ” Govt does not have the money, or it would cost too much.” Where did the $8 million come out for LIAT?
The Minister of Finance and the DLP Govt. must respect and act positively to the request of the Commission. 7 Years now, oui? We smell a big rat. They must listen to the people or…….. No stealing of elections in Dominica. All electoral Laws must be obeyed.. We must ensure Free and fair elections for our selves and for those to come. A stitch in time saves nine.
Why would a Govt. refuse to ensure Voter ID cards are available? Why would Govt. not want to clean a voters’ list that is not clean? To cheat election then? For fraud to occur? For elections to have irregularities like peas? for unneccessary problems/ Why? Why? The Govt. must be pressured to implement Electoral Reforms. Elections in Dominica would never be free and Fair without necessary changes now to our electoral process. We must fight on for the love of Dominica.
some people need to grow up in that country cant u all see how the country is going down because it have no body runing the country right
Why waste money on voters cards that are most likely to be redundant in the future. After all, if it comes in to use, someone will soon realize it is an unnecessary cost and it will no doubt be cut out of the budget, after a lot of money was invested. It’s ridiculous.
If national ID cards are available, then this would equally do the job, reduce paperwork associated to registering voters and also automatically register people who can vote. Everyone will hold dear their national ID card and additionally, their power and right to vote. I’d lose my voters card, no doubt! But I won’t lose my national ID card.
Finally, the UWP is becoming desperate because Skerritt is as influential as a dictator. He’s more than a prime minister, people seem to view him more as a uncle that will give you the birthday dollar. And that is scary.
My friend, I agree with you that we will all take good care of our National ID cards but are they really necessary when we already have passports. It is, in my opinion an unnecessary expense. But even more important, if you live outside of Dominica, you may not be entitled to vote in local elections dependant on the length of time that you have been away fro. That is why I feel that the list should be cleared and corrected and the eligible persons who go through the procedure of applying for those cards, should be given them in order to confirm eligibility. The cards would have to have a photograph in order that the persons can be matched to the photo. By doing this, only the eligible nationals would be given cards and so the cost would be reduced.
thats just pure RUBBISH is out all you be already…..
COuld one of you explain why a voter ID card is better or prefered to a national ID card? It just seems like a no-brainer to favor a national ID card (that can be used for so many things) as opposed to a voter ID card that is used only for voting. Please someone …. I’m truly eagerly awaiting a response! Souplay, please and thank you!
you see that’s my people problem, they wait for others to tell them everything and spoon feed them…
YOU’RE SITTING INFRONT A COMPUTER…
GOOGLE IT AND MAKE A DECISION OF YOUR OWN.
To 1979…… AMEN!
Simple……voter ID cards are granted only to people eligible to vote.
I agree, it is that simple!!!!!!!! We have survived for donkeys years with no need for National ID cards or the expense associated with them but history has shown us that there is an undeniable need for VOTER ID CARDS!!!!!!! I agree 100 %……….
Well, my opinion is this! Our passports are already performing the function of the NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS and those would be held by persons who travel or have travelled overeas. Some of us, like myself, may have Dominican passports which have expired and are not presently being used, but essentially, they perform the function of ID cards. My feeling is that if you are going to provide National ID Cards, it s going to be a hell of alot more costly because ALL DOMINICANS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME DOMINICANS THROUGH THE MONETARY ‘INVESTMENTS’ WHICH THEY HAVE MADE, WILL BE ENTITLED TO THEM. Firstly, this will not only be costly immediately, but it will continue to incur significant cost to the taxpayer as every ‘new’Dominican will be entitled to one. Secondly, it will open us up to so much more opportunity for fraudulent actions, both at home and abroad as persons may pay big money to obtain those cards via illegal means in order to use them overseas as identification documents, thereby giving us more of a bad reputation on the international stage. Thirdly, if they are to be used as ‘proof’ for one to vote, because there are so many more in existence, it will be that much more difficult for the electoral commission or others holding the responsibility to oversee the electoral process, to monitor which holders are entitled to vote and which are not, which have lived overseas for too long a period to be entitled to participate etc. On the other hand, if the electoral list s properly cleaned up and updated, and a system is put in place to print VOTER’S ID CARDS for those eligible, to be renewed every three/four/five years to ensure constant review of the records, I think that it will be a very good means by which to ensure transparency. Each person wishing to vote will have to ensure that they keep their card up to date in order to be able to participate and proper records can be kept with safeguards put in place. Therefore, I do believe that the argument for Voter ID cards only, as opposed to NATIONAL ID cards has already been established, particularly when you look back at the actions of the government at the last elections where persons were brought in to vote under very sinister circumstances without regard supposedly to whther or not they were entitled to vote. IF WE HAVE NATIONAL ID CARDS TO BE USED AS VOTER ID, THIS WILL ONLY INCREASE THE NUMBERS OF PERSONS LIVING OUTSIDE OF DOMINICA WHO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO USE TO BEEF UP THEIR VOTING NUMBERS, AGAIN WITHOUT REGARD TO HOW LONG ONE HAS BEEN LIVING OUTSIDE OF DOMINICA, AS THE NATIONAL ID CARDS, ONCE PRINTED, WILL NOT NEED REGULAR RENEWAL AS WE ARE DOMINICANS FOR LIFE!!!!!
with this long SA you wrote says clearly that you are mixing ICE CREAM WITH “CHACOLD” if that’s how it spells. you need to get the point.
you are so correct. but u will wait until thy kingdom come on earth b4 you get them fellers to explain y voter ID over NATIONAL ID CARD. so said
labour power no one can touch us we have a dyamic leader and here we go keep moving PM we are there to stand with u you a the greatist PM that dominica ever have you shall not be moved
ya man..not even god that can touch allu
he will touch us when he ready
We have our 18..an who vex migrate
smfh then you call yourself REAL??????? you are not worthy of such a name…. you are a house slave, that’s what you are…… you think that because you in the masters house… they did not take you from africa, rape your mother and sister, beat your father within an inch of his life….
Its all good because you are in MASA house right???
you make me sick….
You are very right. He is the greatest. You just did not tell us in what…. DON’T WORRY. Thousands of Dominicans know in what.
yes all of us know’s in what he is the greatest. that’s why we gave him 18 out of 21. now tell us in what you are the greatest in. hope you have the guts to tell us in what you are the greatest.
LABOURRRRRRRRRRRR ALL D WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we want our voter ID cards to much boball in that elections and vodo
a a. but i doe understand you. you want your vote ID card go by DEPEX or KRAY TEE’s an make your VOTER ID CARD. papametto. stupesssss. mar copwan oooooooooh peeas.
You know what’s rather interesting, I wonder if the UWP was the government if they would push for the electoral reform. They did the same thing the current Government did as they also paid the way for Fominicans living overseas to come to vote. Both UWP and Labor party are just a mirror image of themselves.
my dear….WEN THE UWP WAS IN GOVERNMENT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION WROTE TO THEM IN 1997 AND 1999 AN ASK THEM TO IMPLEMENT VOTER ID CARDS. HAVE YOU SEEN IN IMPLEMENTED? ASK EDISON JAMES WHY DIDN’T HIS GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENT IT? MAN STAY THERE AND TAKE YOUR BLOWS YEA BOSS. WE DON’T WANT YOU BOSS.
I totally agree that something must be done about our electoral system as the number of eligible voters does not match our population and demographics. Why can’t we use our passports ( supposed to be sacred) or even social security cards as id for voting. A card to be used once every 5 years does not seem wise, especially with a $5.2 million price tag. Wgy not do a voter list clean up on DNO and the Chronicle. Put the rules out and let all participate. Present the list to the electoral commission after.
In response to negre bord la maer……I thik that the cost is definitely a consideration and that need to be discussed and debated. But the main question is eligibility. Which of us citizens are actually at the point of an election, eligible to vote in that particular election. The US citizens for example, can vote in an election via their embassies overseas, despite the fact that they are overseas. Our system, our law does not make allowance for that. My understanding is that if you are Dominican but have lived overseas for more than a stipulated amount of time, you are not entitled to vote. That is what we need to find a way of establishing on the day of the election in order to have only those who are entitled to vote actually casting their vote.
I am awaiting the wise and prompt conversion of this intention to action. To the extent that the majority of Dominicans support this initiative, government should be held accountable for its failure to deal with the reform question. Whatever action is planned, the opposition would know that many times in the past “action” is planned and people are called to show support but some how the people are not sufficiently motivated to take action. Indeed, talk is cheap and there has been a lot of talk. Whereas talk alone is not enough, nothing can be done without the people’s support.
Whatever is the antidote to deal with the infection of the integrity of our voting system, something must be done to clean up the mess for the good of the Country and the development of our young democracy. Perhaps, the voters ID card is not the answer. Maybe the PM’s National ID card is the way to go- I don’t know but we must put our minds together to resolve this matter. We cannot have so many registered voters with such a small population. Whether one is Labour, Freedom, UWP or just a Dominican, the call to action must be widely supported if government will not work with the opposition and the Electoral Commission in addressing the matter. At least, let’s do it in honour of Don.
ROSEAU VALLEY, YOU WANT IT DONE IN HONOUR OF DON AND ALL YOU DID NOT EVEN ATTEND HIS FUNERAL. WHAT GALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE LEGAL FRATERNITY THE CHURCH WOULD HAVE BEEN EMPTY. THE NERVE OF SOME OF YOU
But who is this person from the Roseau Valley really? How are you so sure that Roseau Valley was not at the funeral? I like the contributions of Roseau Valley anyway. Keep representing the Valley.
Are you interested in contesting the seat next elections? We need someone like you.
which majority of dominicans you refer to .?you may very well be deluding yourself once again.
By the way folks, I really think that it is a bad idea to have the OFFICE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, a commission which is supposed to be independent in its scrutiny and application according to the law, of anything related to election matters, within the grand building which will be housing the President and possibly, government offices. I really believe that the office should be in a building totally separate from any government interference. This matter needs some discussion!!
I Mr. Logic say to the UWP that ID cards are 1 cost to the nation & will cover the cost of identifying voters if there is a Date Of Birth on card.
the sad thing is the Mr James cannot say what action he & UWP go take because he knows that most Dominicans won’t be supporting those illogical ideas.
Trying to kill d little party,,dat all he trying to do,wat young person really care about dat ,,mister just pleasing only d few disgruntled people in Dominica an all who has comon sence disassociates dem selves from d party,
boss, you need some to visit adult ed before you come here and talk…. come on dem selves??? d party?? dat??? comon sense??? if you want anyone to take you serious and no see you as a nuisance take yourself serious by upgrading your mental operating system….
yes…everytime you threatening to do something eddie….and everytime nothing is being done. Hope ull make good on your threat dis time…
To be truthfull, I would allow the voters ID card to be effected. I’m a srtong supporter of the DLP, I dont see what’s all the becarring about. If they want it just provide the funds and let the UWP have it implemented. I would like to know whether they would’nt allow me to vote with my passport, as I might not be arround when that would come into effect. Im a retiree and I think that I’ll be off island when ever it becomes effected, as I spend some time overseas
If there is legitimacy in taking court action, then shoot for it.
But Edo, I don’t think this will win you an election anytime soon….and you know that.
But if you rather use the court to create plitical jam then that is your democratic right as well.
“Skerrit has said that he favors”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
patric , I mean skerrit john, I mean roosvelt Skerrit
you will have to RUN RUN RUN from dominica eh… ahhh boyyyyy, some of us they could never take from the shores of africa eh, because even if they chain us to five other man we would jump ship and die instead eh!!
we will NEVER have slavery in DOMINICA AGAIN!!
MASA TIME DONEEEEEE, E FINI, TONEH~!!!!
Let the Labour party alone campaign and go with all 21 seats. This i would support. No Voter ID NO CONTESTING OF ELECTION!
We probably need a referandum on this matter???
Boy Laborats are interesting. I wish some of these laborats would donate their brains for research because my goodness how can some people be so stupid. We building a 27 million dollar mansion, right wrong or indifferent we giving LIAT 8 million, they planning to raise VAT, they destroy agriculture and the government has done nothing to create a sustainable economy and Laborats are now asking whether a call for electoral reform will put food on the table.
I telling you. A bunch of Idiots. Ian and them does take big kix on labourites when they liming and drinking. They doesnt understand how their own supporters so dumb.
welcome to the struggle brother, one by one we will open our brothers and sisters eyes….and who refuse to see will come around when the IGNORANCE of their political loyalty becomes too glaring to ignore…..
as upset as I might be at them… I wish them gods grace and the wisdom to discern the truth from a lie.
u are a diot. u dont sound smart enough to be and idiot so ure diot.how the government destroying agriculture tell me. so what if we give liat 8m we are share holders why cant we help them incase u dont know other countries helping so dominica cant help too. i wonder if u read the shit u write. N its a damn state house diot every country has one dominica cant have one and wen alu finish dominica backwards if nothing happens. u full of shit u and your words alu brains that need to be donated for examination. alu a go leave with what is goin on ure diot PACK UP ure damn
i agree with u 100%
But all you,who is braying about electrol reform so nah? eddo nah from marigot? Is not the same eddo that was prime minster a couple years ago nah? but why he didnt see the importance of voters id cards,he was too much in charge so he couldnt think of that, but now he is expiring and he dont see a sign of returning back in power so he beckering about VOTERS ID CARDS. why voters id cards mr james? what about my passport,my drivers licence,my social security card are they not ID cards what is wrong with a NIC national identification card,why should the government spend 5.2million dollars for a voters id card when that money can be use elsewhere.IM LISTENING.
you not listening close enough, or maybe you blind too??????
-look around, who you think the hatians, spanish and chinese that getting citizenship and passport in two days will vote for? YOU BLIND??????? they have your passport, drivers license and SS toooooo your ^^^
-you not hearing on the radio, all kind of people buying our passport like a tin of sardine at save a lot…..
boy….. I don’t want to laugh unno, because I can get out of Dominica if needs be….but is J’s in the deck of cards like you i will be hearing bawlllingggg alass what we do while I waving bah bye at the airport….. grow a brain you jack
1979 if you are looking for a jack the first person i can recomend is you.It seems to me that because some one dosent share ur view they are categorize as a jack well my bro my view remain the same i doe see no need for the pm to spend 5.2million dolars for VIC.You say im listening but not close enough or maybe blind,let me tell you im listening closer than you think and seeing clearly but i must let you know that i dont waste my time listening to the crab and rubbish that you all vomit on q95 on a daily basic.And pliz my bro you dont have to stay in Dominica you can leave even now,people like you are not worth being in Dominica we for sure will not miss you.IM LISTENING.
YUP, thanks for the confirmation JACK…..
“pliz my bro you dont have to stay in Dominica you can leave even now,people like you are not worth being in Dominica we for sure will not miss you.IM LISTENING.”
how low again you can stoop??? you are so HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOLOLOLOL, all your comment is worth… IS A GOOD LAUGH….
It is not about Skerro or Eddo ! it is about DEMOCRACY!
Bottom line folks, the list needs to be cleaned up and the names of those who are eligible to vote should be the only ones on that list!! How you then determine that the eligible are in fact the ones who vote can then be determined as that is the easier part of the problem!!! but the list must be cleaned up!! has the government moved in that direction?? Has the electoral commission been given the tools necessary and the instruction to actually get this done?? If not, WHY NOT????????
support
Honestly I read these comments and I a shame to see how you guys are just making fun of having voters ID cards.But let me remind you all that I will live to see the day that you guys will be begging for rescue from your beloved government. Mark my words all who thinks it’s so funny now to ask for voters ID cards will be the same ones crying for help. May the Lord have mercy on our souls.
Do not contest any seat if voters ID are not issued. Boycott and protest not only here but abroad to democratic institutions/bodies/groups.
SUPPORT 100 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000%
i wonder if u can read that number?
We the Uwpites are planning to throw our potties in the Roseau River from now till voter id cards are instituted.
I think I saw a brain marked mwenmem’s own in crayon… in the lost and found by astaphans….
What about electric bills??
Mr Eddison makes perfect sense to have voter id cards made to allow a fair and just ellection process but Dominican are too busy taking handouts from Skerro that they’re blinded.
Mr. James, can’t you see noone is listening to you any more? You’ll have failed numerous time in you action and so anything you state now will be taken as a joke. The Labour party Government have you’ll right where they want you’ll to be.
This is not a party issue it is about Dominica &Dominicans rights you are counted too.
I think I saw another brain blocking a drain in roseau, I say hah boy that lost one belongs to 1 certain “Dominican for sure!!!”. LOL
maybe yu!!
correction, the labour party HAS YOU right where they want you to be…in a lil hole…out of torch with reality and common sense.
Eddison James is now obsolete!!!
Eventually you too will become obsolete. You people are rotten hypocrites to the bone. You all believe Eddison James is the only person who is old in Politics in Dominica. So apparently you all don’t plan on getting old. I wish that all those of you who keep saying Eddison is old and obsolete would drop down dead right now because i wouldn’t want you all to get old and obsolete like him. You all Prime Minister just finished showering accolades on Charles Maynard and John Fabien,didn’t he realise they were old and obsolete while they were alive? Don’t you guys realize that Chavez is an old man too and that the late Ghadaffi was old too? Next time you want to call someone old or obsolete think of your parent yourself and if you have kids think of them too for we all have to grow old and die
Like you.
not more obsolete than you…. wherever there is no opposition. DEMOCRACTY DIEs…..it is in the interest of ALL A WI why mr james is making this request, but I understand that crawling out from under a rock, you are sometimes blinded by the truth
u need to request a new computer and unstick that TV from the typewriter…. now thats what’s obsolete..
Dont warry about your personal feeling because we dont care about it we the people who have educated and is education understand why it is important why we need ID CARD, in north A’ICA we have Voters ID sent to us before going to the poll so why it’s so difficult for you or others like you have problem with VOTERS ID or any other things that affect the development of D’ICA,
mm – sorry I don’t get your short hand. In North A’ICA??? Where is that? Could not be north america because that is not the case. In fact, right now there is a battle waging in the US over state that are requiring voters to present ID at this year’s election – clearly a move to suppress voting right. So, please advise.
Mind-boggling political rigidity rules the day in little Dominica, a country with barely 65,000 inhabitants. About 1/3 of that eligible to vote.
Both parties are to blamed for the stalemate.
The Opposition has a case to make. We must take all the steps that is humanely possible and feasible in ensuring that the voting process is above reproach.
Will voter ID card, by itself, clean up the election mess? Didn’t think so. Does it make fiscal sense to spend the projected sums for a voter ID card exclusively? In this poor country? As opposed to the obvious utility of a National ID card that could serve a myriad of purposes, including augmenting the voting process?
The answer lies somewhere in the middle. For us to get there, and for the political rancor to be ironed out, leaders of the contending parties have to resolve to speak with each other. Instead of speaking at each other.
I waiting to see that day.
Contrarily,
you are one unbelievable son of a …..
I read all your comments about the 8 million dollar waste…. now here you come…. and I quote!!
“Does it make fiscal sense to spend the projected sums for a voter ID card exclusively? In this poor country? As opposed to the obvious utility of a National ID card that could serve a myriad of purposes, including augmenting the voting process?”
stop abusing DNO avenue for free speech to propogate you misinformation…..
some of you on here worse than gramaxone.
me too. Hope I see that before I expire…….
Stupes………… recurring decimal. Stop It. Relax and work together – things moving to fine now
SMH Mr. james open his mouth, and you ready to suck in and swallow your dentures…..weh boy….
elevating the electoral process if for your own uneducated good….. google it, please. use the computer to elevate yourself and not just to post dumb pictures on facebook.
DNO, Pl enlighten us, if the constitution makes that provision for voter ID cards why is this government so hesistant in moving foward, the only answer is they have been corrupted by power that they do not want to loose
Interesting? I didn’t realize that was in the constitution. So as not to be ignorant, I am going to go through my copy of the DA constitution. I do find it interesting though that (assuming it is in there) that from 1979 to now … no one has demanded it. Not even when DFP was in power and the UWP was in opposition. Quite interesting, don’t you think?
Another thing I find interesting is that voting is one of the most basic rights given in any constitution. Having said that, then does that mean without your ID card you should not be allowed to exercise that basic right? If I can’t find my card will I be denied that basic right to vote? That sounds paradoxical! But, I am going to check the constitution for myself. BRB
Cannot loose.
Is he going to make a statement on Yellow getting Jamaican passport and appearing on a Jamaican page?
LMFAO
when those you loyal to get you where they want, you will be really be L.O.O.Y.A you might even be eating there too.
Now I hearing business!
Hope it is my kinda of “action”. It’s quite simple, but can be very effective. hehehehe
Mr.James can fund the ID cards.
Such an idiot.No wonder we are in such a state in this country. Why not fund night school for yourself.
if things SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good and the party you support is in power, what you doing making nest in another man country…..leave the people job for the people of that country and come home to the opportunities abound….
Ok Mr. James, What are your plans, stay away from the house again, that noting new and you all were not missed.
Have a demonstration outside the sitting of the house of assembly that coming up soon. Oh you all did that already and only a few people followed you all.
Electorial reform is not food on the table and is not money in our pocket.
Find someting constructive to do, like go find paint and paint some busstops, have some session for the youths, find food and feed the homeless. Making all you present be felt in Dominica and stop barking. No one is taking you guys seriously
I agree with you tell james to go help the people at the boy scott place
and here comes this one adding typographic errors to the nonsense you just vomited, talk about adding insult to injury….
so if no one is taking him seriously, why your completely unwarranted comment….go say that in a mirror and you will see and hear how ridiculous you look and sound….
you all are like a dusty record that just keep playing over and over and over and over and over and over… I’m sure you read that last part. that how much you love repetition…. next time mr james comments.. come again with that same dusty old record and gramophone..
pile of horse manure….is there allu strong
No voter ID cards no elections
rubbish
well u will see nuh