President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin has called on Dominicans to be peaceful and stay united for the upcoming general elections in a manner consistent with international best practices.
He made the announcement during the presentation on Tuesday, of a $1.02 billion budget by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
“The general election may be characterized as the quintessential manifestation of democracy in a country. At its core, it provides the citizens with the right and the opportunity to chose their representatives and Parliament and thereby their government via secret ballot,” the President stated. “Additionally, there are crucial underlying institutions and mechanisms necessary for the proper functioning of the election process to include the media, the rule of law, the electoral commission and its associative machinery which taken together, comprised the architecture of a democratic system.”
He continued, ” Furthermore, the country’s membership of the Caribbean community CARICOM, as well as the organisation of Eastern Carribean States, the OECS, the Commonwealth, the organisation of American states and of course the united nations imply a code of conduct by government and opposition on matters pertaining to fundamental rights and freedom and democracy at a national level.”
The President also touched on the matter of electoral reform pointing out that there is always room for improvement in the country’s various systems, including the electoral system.
“This upcoming poll is expected to be peaceful, as well as being undertaken in a manner consistent with international best practices. Essentially, the system or regime for conducting a free and fair poll in Dominica is in place and has been so for several decades. Indeed since before the attainment for independence in 1978,” he said.
“No system anywhere is perfect…there is always room for improvement in our various systems and endeavor and that principle apply for our electoral system as well. Generally that system has stood us in good stead over the years and all three of the major political parties have won and lost elections under the exiting system.
“As our country faces the future may the good Lord continue to shower his blessings on our people as together we seek to overcome the many challenges confronting the nation along with fostering the understanding necessary to persevere in pursuit of excellence,” Savarin stated.
He called on parliamentarians and citizens to love one another and to unite not only to build back better and stronger but to make Dominica the first climate resilient country in the world.
I want to see if I get this right. Isn’t the opposition a part of the government? I thought the party that wins the most seats form the government with the leader of the party becoming the PM (like it is in Great Britain). I was understand the impression, however, that the opposition consisting of the seats they won, and appointed senators, completely the sitting government. Please educate me, Please.
True say Mr President “the system of regime for free and fair elections has been there for decades” but what you failed to say is that; the system has never been so CORRUPTEDLY exploited by any other party in the political history of Dominica; my suggestion to you sir is the incompetent chairman of the electoral commission that you appointed ask him to resign; and instruct the Dr Dr to stay the hell out of it’s business except to provide the necessary funding to ensure the reform required.
With the mouth they call for unity and peace; with their actions they have taken all necessary steps to ensure war. I still want to know about the two barrel of guns that entered here.
If the Labor have no fear of honest and fair elections, why not clean up the election listing. Remove the dead folks. My grandfather died before I was born in the 50’s,
And he has a still on the voters list. A change is coming,!!
Savarin is the right one to talk. He is part of Dominica’s problems having sold his soul to Skerrit.
Stuppessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssdssssssssssssss!!
I expected this crap from you!
Man, you are a disgrace. First JI coming with the “message”, now you. You’re part and parcel of the DLP circus. If there are any problems during this election it will be your fault. Charles Savarin’s fault. You are the one appointing the chairman of the electoral commission. You reappointed Gerald Burton knowing he is not competent to carry out his duties. How do I know this? I know because THERE ARE STILL DEAD PEOPLE ON THE VOTER’S LIST.
Well as a citizen, if you know that there are dead people on the list, why don’t you point them out and ask their families to present the documents so they can be struck out. If you are only repeating what you hear, then get the list and scrutinize and see if you can identify the names, then if you know them then you can contact their relatives to do the honours.
Isn’t that the responsibility of the electoral commission? It’s simple: Divide the list by parishes or villages. Each person takes a section and go to the village council. Check and verify each name, visiting homes if needed. Instead, everybody wants to sit in big office with computer and nobody wants to do real work.