The United Workers Party (UWP) called upon the Prime Minister to “immediately” bring forward legislation, agreed upon by the Electoral Commission, to the Parliament of Dominica to enable it to become law.
At a press conference held on Friday at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Leader of the UWP, Thomson Fontaine said it has been more than three years since the Prime Minister of Dominica made a solemn promise to the people of Dominica that he would push through reform legislation.
“The United Workers Party, therefore, calls upon the Prime Minister of Dominica to immediately bring forward legislation, which has been agreed upon by the Electoral Commission, to the Parliament of Dominica to enable it to become law,” he said.
“Upon the finalization of the electoral reform laws, we call upon the Electoral Commission to immediately begin the process of undertaking the reforms including a full and complete reregistration process and the issuing of voter I.D. cards.”
Fontaine stated once this process is complete, the United Workers Party and the people of Dominica demand fresh general elections in order to reverse the damaging impact of the ‘sham’ December 2022 elections.
Fontaine made the following recommendations to the government of Dominica:
“Immediately pass legislation for electoral reforms and begin the process of reregistration and the issuing of voter I.D cards to be followed by the holding of fresh general elections, and address the ongoing problem of unemployment particularly among the youth of our country through creative job opportunities, and the rebuilding of our Agriculture sector.”
The party asked that adequate financial support be provided as promised to the students studying overseas on government scholarships and that the Dominica State College be re-established as a premier learning institution.
Tackling the growing violence and crime on the island was also on the agenda, with a call for increased police training and a commitment to fight and prevent crime.
“Reduce the size of the Cabinet by at least two-thirds, and cut other wasteful government spending and address the many problems within the court system with a view to improving the system of justice in the country,” he asserted.
Meantime, former leader of the UWP, Lennox Linton released a draft entitled “The registration of electors acts; registration of elections regulations 2023″ by Sir Dennis Byron.
At the press meeting, Linton read an email received from Sir Byron on November 6, 2022, where he stated Sir Byron assured him that he is working towards expediting the presentations of recommendations concerning the improvement of the electoral process in Dominica.
Linton also revealed that Sir Bryon indicated to him via this email that the draft is not to be published when it is sent to him. Linton was warned that it should not be presented to the public and was told that publication should be the responsibility of the Honorable Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.
“These drafts should not be presented to the public and publication should be the responsibility of the Honorable Prime Minister only after he made formal presentation to him of my reports, ” Linton read.
Linton noted that no report has been released by Sir Byron since he received the email.
He went on to say that since he has not received the draft from Sir Byron, but from another source, he is under no obligation to Byron not to disclose the information.
Linton further outlined that Sir Byron’s proposals as to the timelines going forward are as follows, 1- ‘Phase 1’ report will be presented by Sir Byron during the month of November 2022; 2- Parliament tables the register of electors legislation in December 2022 with a plan to enact it in January 2023, so that the register of electors may be compiled in accordance with the recommendations during that calendar year; 3- Sir Byron will present ‘phase 2’ of the report after the consultation process.
“I will be presenting my support in two phases. Phase one will be dealing with the registration of electors and phase two with the election process, ” he read.
Linton noted that Byron expressed that he has been mindful that his engagement carries the expectation of bridging the sharp divisions of opinion that have “handicapped” the completion of this reform exercise, and against this background, legislative support is required to give effect to the recommended reforms.
“The existing legislation relating to the registration of electors, as well as the electoral process, is quite old, and it has been a flashpoint for political disagreement and community dissatisfaction.”
“Merely amending the existing laws would not satisfy the goals of the reform exercise. A new legislation is needed to modernize the electoral system, and to bring it in line with the international best practices.”
Lin Clown, I noticed that statement from Fountain, and I asked myself why is he saying: “the people of Dominica”. When are these guys going to accept the fact the people of Dominica have rejected them, and the UWP has no power to make demands? With all of that big talk, how are they prepared to win an election in the future?
This government just keep promising…geothermal….airport now is cable car….oh lazy men…your lies are catching up with u….dominican are indeed getting fed-up with your lack of vision
Powerless UWP making demands on Skerrit. What jokes wee! Thompson and his UWP thickies should understand that not contesting the election was foolhardy since it left them with no representation in parliament. You can only make such political demands in parliament. Thomson, I would suggest that you either sit and behave or go back to Sudan to continue what ever job you doing there. According to the constitution the elected prime minister or a majority of elected members are the only ones that can set an election date within the mandated five year cycle. Election not due till 2027. Skerrit can call election anytime within that time frame or forced to by a majority of parliamentarians via a vote of no confidence.
Do not worry Mr Putin that is what the lazy,lying,greedy,maltwavy UWP bums do.They blame Skerrit for their failures,they wasted their time gossiping,drinking rum and smoking dope instead of working hard and planning for their retirement.Now they are like discarded brakes,they want to blame Skerrit for their miserable state of affairs.The bums are mad because poor people who could not afford a house are now living in expensive houses rent free with the compliments of Roosevelt Skerrit,the Labour party and the CBI.
So Thompson election reform, will make you win the election?
A Fresh election you say wee. Another failed tactic. Your people did not vote but regardless, there were alternative persons to vote for. So your plans ricochet on all of you guys. Your hope was to say the election was not the will of the majority but you fail to understand that there are persons who see further than their nose. you hoped that because you did not field in candidates, then you would be all screaming, shouting, fighting, walking, talking about the 21 seats just gone to the Labour party But your plans fell back in your face. There are country-loving people who saw your trick and the Lord gave them the insight and foresight to contest to avoid mayhem, chaos, and strife. So you are looking at another way out. Stop that Fontaine. Be clear as you are losing support with your foolish strategies that won’t work.
All man a hand to work to develop this country – support or non-supporters of the…
@POTO UWP STILL
Shut up!! Are you a clown? Telling a man to behave in talking about the bad political sìtuation in his country?
The electoral list should be linked to the registry’s death list in such a way that database of death certificates issued should remove people from the list and this would clean the list for one.
The law itself amended to have everyone on the list remain and have absentee voting there are many reasons why people may not be able to go home to vote.and with travels familial ties etc.taking people around the world this time frame away from home should be eliminated from the laws.
Dominica is a young democracy we should have our laws updated don’t get caught up in the cannot mend the constitution trap.
Thompson himself he is involved in the functioning of a foreign government. Why is he or was made leader of the United Workers Party and how’s he expect to function does he expect to have all governments linked?
Either Thompson take up POST in south or Sudan where he is working or the Leadership of UWP. Linking his party to the south Sudan politics and this who employed him.
I am trying to understand why people who are so smart,so well educated,people with Phd’s,Llb’s,masters and bachelors degrees cannot understand.The majority of Dominicans are NOT interested in election reform.A JAH KA.S would understand.These people are trying to force election reform down the throats of Dominicans,and it is the same people who say Skerrit is a dictator.UWP is a DEAD political party.
Clown, speak for yourself, don’t speak for me…
Lin Clown, I noticed that statement from Fountain, and I asked myself why is he saying: “the people of Dominica”. When are these guys going to accept the fact the people of Dominica have rejected them, and the UWP has no power to make demands? With all of that big talk, how are they prepared to win an election in the future?
At least he isn’t speaking for the people from Canada.
All you not in paliament the first time in 33 years!! So behave. All have NO power
We Dcans tend to sleep on us too darn much. When we are not sleeping we talking nonstop with no action.
Opposition must come from the people and not just UWP, Freedom or Pappy. Perfect timing would be to shut down Dca right after Ash Wednesday, get a transitional government in place, have them finalize electoral reform, call elections and start the rebuilding process.
Take the opportunity to brain storm with visiting Dcans, let them enjoy their carnival and then let the revolution begin. Too much talk my people, too much darn talk.
Boy you hungry for revolution. Their is already a stone in Casgorie, you want yours at Telemaque.
These Rottweilers don’t want electoral reform or do they? I was waiting to hear what next they will be coming up with after hearing what prime minister Skerrit, in the house on Tuesday.My message to you Thompson, and ugly Lenny, along with the rest of Rottweilers, no one is going to push
PM Skerrit, about Thompson, you lots are dead in the water now you and Lenny can go to HELL. ” Dno tell them for me “
Let me remind Dominicans that everything that’s done by Lying Roosevelt is about self enrichment, self aggrandizement and self-preservation.
Those of you who are optimistic of any meaningful electoral reforms under Roosevelt stewardship is like looking for an abundant crop of rice in a hot, dry, sandy desert. Creating a level playing field by instituting fair and sensible electoral reforms would be a death sentence to Roosevelt’s hapless administration.
I blame the people’s docility and indifference to Roosevelt’s numerous indiscretions and evildoings. “A nation of sheep beget a government of wolves.” This is one of my favourite quotes. Dominicans behave as if they like it so.
For the Dominica State College to be re-established as a premier learning institution, there must first be a total rethink of the subjects taught in primary and secondary schools, with creativity being high on the agenda. Fifty percent of students, and society at large, would benefit from this reform.
At present creative subjects have low priority in education. Thus, our most valuable resource – the creative mind – goes to waste. By the time students reach the State College it can be too late to awaken their creative potential. We are born with 98% creative potential, but by the time we reach adulthood peer pressure and conformity has reduced that God given ability to just 2%.
As a case in point…
Last Saturday, a workshop on Creative Fashion Design, that I gave free at my studio for all DSC students, had just one precipitant!
You got the wrong story, Roger.
With respect Trisha,
The news item went beyond electoral reform and stated: “…that the Dominica State College be re-established as a premier learning institution.”
That is what I specifically responded to.
If we had a society of creative thinkers and doers, we would not be in our present predicament with electoral reform and all else.
That is exactly what every single Dominican should ask for and insist on. If Skerrit isn’t willing to deliver that, he has to suffer severe consequences. The man needs to understand once and for all, that he is a public servant that is in office to serve us, the people of DA, and not the other way round.
Lazarus has risen.The Dominican PEOPLE have no use for UWP.They asked the people to boycott the 2022 election,the people did not listen.For years the people have not been listening to no reform no election,now that UWP is a dead party it’s even worse.Skerrit will implement electoral reform when the people tell him to and not at the dictate of losers and rejects.
You have an obsession with statistics. Display the percentage of eligible voters who chose to exercise their franchise in the recent spurious elections. Give us the raw data.
Fresh elections? lol. The man done make his Cabinet and hold parliament on all you already. Thompson how do you expect to lead a party successfully from Sudan?
@If we know better
You are the wicked spirit that seem to be lost in the bushes of Sudan, not Dr Fontaine, who lives on island.
Spin and come again with something meaningful, if you are capable if such.
Feller you acting like i attack you personally, with your wicked spirit talk. Kick rocks with that trash brother. To my knowledge, unless his stint in Sudan is over, visiting Dominica occasionally is not going to help this man and the UWP become the next government.
And to be frank, all i did was ask a question. Because the DLP has already convened parliament, and the country already has a new opposition with 2 individuals AFTER the UWP chose to not contest the election. With you nonsense wicked spirit talk. Man go have a seat at the back of the church.
“Fontaine stated once this process is complete, the United Workers Party and the people of Dominica demand fresh general elections in order to reverse the damaging impact of the ‘sham’ December 2022 elections.” Lol, it seems like Fontaine and his gang are feeling the heat from being outside the fence. They are not even in the yard anymore, they are now outside in the street and the impact of this distance from the seat of decision-making is being to weigh on them.
@Putin
The heat of the failed economy, seem to be getting you more and more desperate, because with every post you write here, it’s exposing your stupidity and ignorance more and more.
So you never thought that cool out money would stop?
Go find something else to do other than grovelling and stretching your hands!!
I support the call for fresh [ new ] election in five years. That is in 2027!!!
Dr. Fontaine, I agree with you, the next new election to be held in 2027
@Economist too, I definitely agree with you. At least Fontaine and his gang will have no reason for not participating.
I don’t understand why he is talking about “demand fresh general election” so and so. Who is going to give him the power to sit as Government in Dominica, any time now? Such big talks that is saying nothing!
In a real country, everything that Dr. Fontaine said above would make sense and acted upon by the State.
However, in Dominica or Skerritland where the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told the nation, “I run tings in Dominica”, this will be treated as just another joke, sadly! Dominica down the drain!
You and Fontaine will not dictate to the PM when to have the next General Election. Is Dominica a real country or a dictatorship run by Fontaine and Truth Be Told? The UWP just like the Freedom Party is a dead letter living outside the yard. The UWP has now become irrelevant and obsolete.
Dominica is a dictatorship run by an incompetent and corrupt individual by the name of Skerrit.