President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin, has called for electoral reform so that the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that all non-eligible voters are removed from the electoral list.
Savarin made the call during his speech at the First Meeting of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament on January 10th, 2020.
“I would urge members on both sides of this honorable house and the public at large to approach the debate on electoral reform from the point of view of ensuring that the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that the names of persons who are not eligible to be on the voters list in conformity with our laws are struck off,” he stated.
The President stated there should no longer be any room for hateful speech and conflicts on the matter of electoral reform which is a continuing process and not a short term “once and for all” exercise.
He further stated that there is a need to empower the Electoral Commission to proceed with the exercise of issuing voter ID cards by approving the necessary legislation.
“We need, also, to encourage confidence in the institutions of the state and the mechanisms they provide for resolving differences,” he added.
He urged members of parliament to put aside their differences and become united and “to build upon the foundations we have laid over the years.”
He noted that free and fair elections are the bedrock of Dominica’s democracy and said that the electoral process provided for in the Constitution and the House of Assembly Elections Act was diligently followed for the holding of the general elections in 2019.
“Last year’s election campaign could truly be described as one of the most unusual and divisive campaigns in the country’s political history,” Savarin said.
You are really turning a blind eye!!
Oh now you call for electoral reform? Now that the dictator has been confirmed with 8000 bought votes ( shame on all these profiteers!!!) and you get to live your maggot‘s life for another five years? OMG Charlo! How can you sleep at night??
We need our paid civil servants to opely serve our people, our parlimant, our democray and to be this “Watchdog” to ur government that they do not fleece and abuse the sates finances etc. The message below by the President is overdue, but most welcomed and appreciated. This is how our government must and should operate. No partisan and no Red Clinic allegiance, this is bobol, corruption at its highest level by this failed ongoing Skerrit. Let`s Read This:
“The President is now confirming in no uncertain terms, that Alibaba and his Forty Thieves stole the December 6 election again! Alas Alibaba! I say so because when Charles Savarin said we should see to it that “the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that the names of persons who are not eligible to be on the voters list in conformity with our laws are struck off,” he stated.
Savarin and President is here to protect our Parliament, constitution and decent government and governance and protect our Peoples`s…
Lennox Linton is the most honorable politician in Dominica. And the labor party is afraid of this man because he is honorable. If you seek dishonorable men and women, head to the labor/loogawoo pashy coco party; the RED people.
The say satan and demons rule the earth including Dominica – Now I begin to believe that’s true. But hey! There is a place reserved for such wicked men and they’ll also get some punishment down here. When you see them walking up and down the streets eating in rubbish cans; it’s all because of the poor people and the poor country money they steal by way of mischievous activities. Black devils in suit and tie without shame and conscience. God bless Dominica.
To all of you, 11 negative commentators here, at this time, did you ever wonder if your Leader could have gotten more than 3 constituencies, for the last election, if he/they had presented themselves in a way that Dominicans could accept or receive?
For the past 5 years, there was nothing more than idle complaints, useless demonstrations, violence, and crimes, right to the last few days before the election, but all of those involved are still walking free.
Election reform or not, if Dominicans had planned to remove PM Skerrit from the Seat of the Prime Minister, they would have done so. But Lennox and his charade made it much worse for him to stand a chance; why don’t you all acknowledge this and urge him to do better for the next election–instead of your stupid acceptance that the “election was stolen”?
Actually I think that this is an excuse to cover the shame of an 18-3 defeat; no one believes it; so come out from under that cold cover!
You as….., this is not about red and blue anymore. It is not about who get 3 seats and who get 18. This is about free and fair transparent elections to govern the nation in decades to come. Lennox did not execute much of the aggravated protsts. Many of the organisers have clearly stated so and have asked him to stay away from it. But ….. like you cannot hear or see that. as far as you know, anyone that opposes DLP MUST and can only be a uwp supporter and sent by Lennox. why cant laborites see that there are dominicans who do not support either party and are still ready to fight for what should be right in Dominica. It wasnt lennox’s charade. It was the concerned people of dominica’s expression. when you can fly in and out 8000 people and strategically send them to vote on dead people names many of them, what do you expect to happen. when we are supposed to play fair and you cheat, what do you think. in the end …. like you turn around and laugh and say you won. you didnt win.
Elizabeth, this preferential Blind Loyalty you have for failed Skerrit and this questionable corrupted scheme of states money and resources is pretty obvious, so read again in detail and as an intellectual what President Savarin rightly echoed.
“I would urge members on both sides of this honourable house and the public at large to approach the debate on electoral reform from the point of view of ensuring that the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that the names of persons who are not eligible to be on the voters list in conformity with our laws are struck off,” he stated.
So Madam Blind loyalist Elizabeth, not just read again, but try hard to better comprehend what the President has said. You`re free to request an audience with the President where you will be well received, welcomed and lectured to of the “principles and practices” of good governance within our government service that all must be aware of. Get rid of this blind Skerrit behaviour, it`s really…
He well know why is after and not before the last election he talk… a whole 2 months after? Smh
You are really turning a blind eye!!
I guess the president and his crony’s wanted to keep their jobs, that’s why he’s calling for electoral reform now and not before the election.
The President is now confirming in no uncertain terms, that Alibaba and his Forty Thieves stole the December 6 election again! Alas Alibaba! I say so because when Charles Savain said we should see to it that “the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that the names of persons who are not eligible to be on the voters list in conformity with our laws are struck off,” I understand Charlo was saying indirectly that The Election was stolen again because he knows eligible voters were denied while dead people, foreigners and others voted. Unfortunately election was less than 3 months ago and Charles Savarin said nothing. Now he understands that he is on his way out and Skerrit will take over the presidency later this year, he made sure that in a smart way he let us know that the election was stolen. So I hope the magistrates and judges took note because that thing is before the court. Sacwe Voleer!!!
Boy you guys have some real warped minds.
I understood the President to be saying a completely different thing. One of the demands which was being made by the electoral reform proponents was to cleanse the voters list. This is a complicated process because an eligible voter’s name cannot be removed unless the requirements of the law are observed. Legal objections with supporting proof of ineligiblity. etc.
My reading of his presentation is that the process should be commenced early ” to preserve the rights of eligible voters” and to remove ineligible voters. Without the legal process observed and the proof presented, no one on the list can be deemed ineligible except dead voters.
I see we have begun to talk about dead voters voting, which was meant to be a sarcastic joke as if we really believe that it is possible for that to happen.
That is the power of repetition. If a lie is repeated 100 times by the 80th time, the hearers begin to believe it.
Lady, that is poppycock. Dominica’s population is minute in the scheme of things and with the computer power we have it should be easy enough to produce a list of eligible voters. We have records of births and deaths, we know where everybody lives on island and we have arrival and departure records. If we can not manage that we may as well give up governing. You listen to Tony Astaphan too much. My advice, pay him no heed, just lets get on with it.
@Barbara Saunders, the problem is that most of the commentators on this comment board, do not read or they have no reading comprehension. In my mind, they are not more than 10 or even fewer years old children–that is what their mentality is showing. But I am sure that they are not; what a sad situation for us?
They write whatever enters their untrained mind, along with the negative feedings to that same mind. Once again I will say that this practice is quite deplorable, but unfortunately, the World is witnessing that kind of shame.
“That is the power of repetition. If a lie is repeated 100 times by the 80th time, the hearers begin to believe it.”
So Barbara, what do you believe. We heard of the flow of monies coming in, the flow of airplanes coming. Well, Blind Barbara where the hell did these monies come from? Is it from the sales of our passports that we have not yet audit? The system appears to be not well prepared for and managed and appears was left in the hands of this failed Labour government and it`s Immature Prime Minister. Sad.
We have a country that`s in a bad and deplorable way over the past 20 years now and you sit there with your crap blind loyalty talk about your failed Skerrit and corrupted Labour government. Well, madam we have had enough. Skerrit is not of leadership material, just talk, fanfare an jump on planes with our states money and look around Dominica is the same old Dominica we see going back 20 years. Does this not bother you when you go to sleep and wake up. What really do you…
Skerrit knows his dictatorship is crumbling so now he wants reform,Inspecting the wasted police force.Bunch of Skerrit henchman.
They are falling and that’s why he is now talking….he needs to ask the people forgiveness
President of Dominica His Excellency Charles Savarin has called for electoral reform that the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that all non-eligible voters are removed from the electoral list.” So all of a soft drink it perfectly ok to have it but all before election we did not need it? Bruh?!?!?!? We the youth watching you older folks close eh. WE ARE NOT AS BLINDED BY SEWO AS YOU ALL THIN K. ONE DAY WE WILL BE IN CHARGE AND WILL CHANGE THESE OUTDATED LAWS AND IMPLEMENT NEW AND USEFUL ONES, I JUST HOPE WE WONT BE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS BY THEN. oN A SIDE NOTE, I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BEFORE WE HAVE A cHINESE PRIME MINISTER OR PRESIDENT LOLOL sING IT WITH ME MY PEOPLE “IN TIME TO COME”
Look Jokes. Unless you think broadly, you wont get any where. You are definitely going to need a technical course. To steal is a punishable offence. A fisherman goes fishing, he uses the bate to hide the hook. An agouti make a circle and jumped over so that a dog cannot follow its trail. A chicken hatch 10 chicklets and they are old enough to look after themselves it start pecking them. In a running race, if you don’t apply technic you never win. With electoral reform it is going tobe a one party state. If you want a slight chance,abandoned the wear of distinguish garments.
Is God to slow? When people are so blatantly hypocritical we should all see God’s hand smacking them across the face. Has Saverin forgotten that elections was less than three months ago? Has he forgotten the turbulence ahead of the elections in pursuit of electoral reform? What did he do about it? Was it his intention then to secure a victory for the DLP/SFP at all cost and then we will talk reforms? Was he and Skerritt suffering temporary blindness that they couldn’t see what was right and necessary before the elections? It isn’t too late. If suddenly a bolt of conscience has struck them in the temple area why don’t they apologise and call for FREE and FAIR elections. What could really have brought about the realization that the list which was used less than three months ago is so tainted that it needs cleansing? What has happened in such a short time that they are both seeing the dire need for voters id when they resisted it through the courts to ensure their victory?…
Gouvelma politricks and convenient amnesia is part of your DNA. Since you want new election the results won’t change, because over 60% of Dominicans gave the DLP a mandate, smoke DAT! Give it another short, again you will loose your deposit. Stop licking your wounds it’s already infected. I living my life, happy carnival.
Why now and not before the last election?? Man you can’t fool us!
What happens if during the inspection the President decides “nah, i dont like how his uniform fits or his shoes arent shiney enough.”
The President and the Prime Minister knows the truth but stifled it to their advantage. Now they back in power, the calling for the same reforms the opposition was calling for.
Ha ha ha I am laughing so loudly I feel it in my chest. Which words should we use to describe this??? Seriously, after ALL THE DAMAGE WAS DONE PLUS THOSE SO CALLED OBSERVERS THROWING AWAY THEIR IN%EGRITY!!! Are we waking up and shaking off our apathy or are we satisfied with the humor from jokers????
“President of Dominica His Excellency Charles Savarin has called for electoral reform that the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that all non-eligible voters are removed from the electoral list.”
Mr President well said. My, our question is who is gonna monitor it, subject it to scrutiny and that there will be no interference by Skerrit or by his ridiculous scouts when the next election s called. Nuff Respect Please and acknowledgement of the Rights of all of our People’s Rights. We are hoping that this will be implemented and that the President will play a vital independent role in monitoring this electoral system and its proceedures. We just do not trust this failed incompetent Skerrit and his failed fake Labour government.
We have been led to the abyss of a visible corrupt Labour government and failed leadership. e hope we get a change soon with people who are more dedicated, highly professional, visionary. No Bin Bobol, no Red Clinic Bobol, reduce our people…
Last year’s election campaign could truly be described as one of the most unusual and divisive campaigns in the country’s political history,” Savarin said.
I am a laborite too but honestly speaking Charles Savarin talking like a person who knows that a crime was committed, as a witness who knows how the crime was committed and, as a person who was part of the crime. Savarin seems to be talking from both sides of his lips and every statement he made seems to contradict a previous sentence he made. I don’t know if is the Bible he was in contact with that condemning him but he sure looks and sounds confused.
I so red that people always asking me why my eyes always red but truth is truth and I can’t run from it
Views Expressed don’t you get tired of the same bull crap. The majority of Dominicans gave the failed and immature Skerrit a mandate, therefore, you have to respect our rights. Your barking is irrelevant. Get a life, become an entrepreneur and not a parasite 🦠.
Mr., Ma St. Joe, thanks for your attempted comments, but honestly I have not yet picked up nor comprehend the bigger picture that you are attempting to bring forward. Come again if you can, I listen to everyone, even those out of touch. My previous comments attempted to address both views from those who commented on the subject matter.
Ma. St. Joe, have yo got anything of substance to address the issue of state that is before us? Please give us, or share with us your analysis of what you feel is the state of our government and our city in 2019. Are we getting anywhere…have we got anywhere? Please let us know what you see ad read from this failed Labour government and leadership, especially with 19 useless minister and a failed Prime Minister, and added to this is are those blind loyalists who often shout, “We love our PM wi”, when our people are poor and in poverty and We Love our PM, is ok, happy and has all of his resources to be happy about. Are our people in this category?