President Savarin congratulates voters on ‘peaceful conduct’ for elections

President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin has congratulated the stakeholders for their peaceful conduct during the December 6, general elections.

The president made the disclosure during the Swearing-in Ceremony of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit held at the State House Conference Center this week.

Due to the absence of electoral reform, thr parliamentary opposition made a decision not to participate and not to nominate candidates during this year’s election.

The opposition parties have been advocating for electoral reform since 2005. At that time, the UWP promised to boycott general elections if there were no reforms that included cleansing of the voters’ list and the issuance of identification cards for voting.

Nevertheless, 45 candidates were nominated to contest the polls, 21 DLP candidates, a record 19 independent candidates, and 5 candidates from Team Unity Dominica (TUD).

“The pre-election day campaign and all of the usual meetings and rallies and walks and marches but we did not see a repetition of the regrettable incidents that occurred in the lead up to the 2019 poll nor the violence on election day itself,” Savarin said.

“I, therefore, want to congratulate all the stakeholders in this election for their peaceful conduct of the polls.”

He went on to congratulate the Chief of Police Daniel Carbon, the officers, and other ranks of the police force for their vigilance and reassurance to the public at large, “that the police could be relied upon to ensure that all those who wish to vote could do so without fear of intimidation.”

Savarin also thanked the electoral commission and the Chief Elections Officer and his staff for ensuring that all that was necessary to be done was done to ensure free and fair conduct of the poll.

Furthermore, he thanked the political parties for ensuring that on Election Day their members and supporters heeded the admonition of the police and that there were no reports of incidents likely to interfere with the conduct of the poll.

Savarin went on to thank the team of election observers for their presence and observance of the process.

Finally, he thanked the people of Dominica, “for exercising their constitutional rights to vote for the candidates of their choice to represent them in Parliament and to form the next government.”

“I wish to congratulate all those who offered themselves as candidates for this election and in a special way congratulate all 21 candidates who were elected to serve this 11th Parliament as members of the House of Assembly,” he said. “They will be joined by five senators appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and four senators appointed by the president on the advice of the leader of the opposition.”

Meanwhile, he indicated that the issue of electoral reform is still a matter which is unresolved.

“I am aware that the issue of electoral reform is still a matter which is unresolved,” he remarked.  “I, therefore, look forward to the report of Sir Denis Byron on this matter which has loomed over us for several election cycles.”

Byron was tasked by the Government of Dominica to be the sole commissioner to advance efforts towards electoral reform in Dominica.

Savarin welcomed the assurance given by the prime minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, after the results of the elections were announced, “that he would ensure that all stakeholders will be engaged in consultations to review the report and recommendations by Sir Denis, including the Commonwealth Secretariat and the OAS and once the acceptable draft legislation is agreed upon on this matter the bill will be brought before parliament for its consideration.”