The Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) has warned Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, that it will intensify its campaign if he attempts to pass electoral legislation that fails to adequately address pressing concerns. This declaration comes in the wake of Skerrit’s announcement that he plans to advance three significant electoral reform bills in the first quarter of 2025. The Prime Minister asserts that these bills are essential for resolving the long-standing and contentious issues surrounding the electoral process in Dominica, which he believes have consumed too much time and energy in the national discourse.
In a recent interview on state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit expressed confidence that the proposed legislation—the Electoral Commission Bill 2024, House of Assembly Elections Bill 2024, and Registration of Electors Bill 2024—will be passed without obstruction. He pointed out that his government has engaged in extensive consultations, aiming to gather input from various stakeholders to ensure that the electoral reform process is both comprehensive and transparent.
“We will go to parliament in the first quarter of 2025 to have those bills passed and to ensure the electoral commission has the resources to effect the electoral reform processes in Dominica,” Skerrit stated, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
However, the ERC has expressed frustration and disappointment over the manner in which these bills were introduced, arguing that they lacked proper public notice and scrutiny. The coalition, which has been at the forefront of advocating for electoral reform in Dominica, claims that key recommendations have been overlooked in the drafting of the bills. Among these are crucial issues related to campaign financing, voter registration, cleansing of the electoral list, voter identification cards, and residency qualifications for voters.
The ERC has taken its concerns to the international stage, dispatching letters to several global organizations, including the OAS, the United Nations, and the U.S. State Department. They have sought to inform these bodies about the current state of electoral reform in Dominica and to garner support for their call for genuine and equitable reform. The coalition has reiterated that any proposed legislation that does not adequately address its concerns will be considered unacceptable and will prompt a more vigorous campaign to advocate for the changes they deem necessary.
In a pointed response to Skerrit’s claims about public consultation, the ERC has accused the Prime Minister of misleading the public regarding the inclusion of recommendations made by civil society and the Electoral Commission. They argue that the Prime Minister has ignored crucial input from these groups, particularly the recommendations put forth by Sir Dennis Byron concerning campaign financing, for which he was paid a substantial fee to review the bills. The ERC has also criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the electoral reform process, emphasizing that essential recommendations from the Electoral Commission, which is constitutionally mandated to oversee electoral matters, have not been made public.
Skerrit maintains that the government is acting within its constitutional rights to pass the electoral reform bills, asserting that any international scrutiny should respect Dominica’s sovereignty. He said he has invited international observers from organizations like the OAS and CARICOM to witness the parliamentary process, suggesting that the government is committed to transparency and democratic principles. Conversely, the coalition’s readiness to mobilize public opinion and seek international support reflects their determination to ensure that any electoral reforms genuinely address the concerns of the electorate.
The outcome of this conflict may have lasting implications for the country’s democratic processes. What happens in the coming months will be extremely important in determining the direction of electoral reform and the extent to which it aligns with the principles of fairness and transparency that the ERC advocates.
Yes I am,but you and your blue acolytes have NEVER mentioned all the observers invited to observe the last general election said,the election conducted in Dominica were free and fair and reflected the WILL of the PEOPLE.And,the election was conducted according,according to the election laws of Dominica.You blue people people think Dominicans are idiots,as if the do not read and cannot read.
The unemployment rate in America is 4.1%,that is about 13 million people,are you saying that 13 million because they cannot pay tax they cannot vote?Man you talking BULL.
What is the difference? In America it’s electoral votes,the person who win more electoral votes become President.In Dominica it is the party winning the most constituency.In bout countries majority votes does not count.In 1995 the DLP and DFP combined got 65.14% of the votes,UWP got 34.86% and still formed the government.No wonder you made a fool of yourself,not knowing what ERC stood for,suffering with a BI-POLAR disorder.One time you are smart,another time you are complete Jacka.There are Dominicans-Americans and Americans-Dominicans who have been living in Dominica for years not contributing a damn to the American economy and they choose who they want for president.So man go make your handful of fools more foolish.Homeless people and unemployed people do not pay taxes and they vote,where they getting the money to pay tax?what does voting have to do with IRS?
MEME,you are a liar,there are thousands of Americans living outside of America who does not contribute to IRS they do not pay taxes and they can vote.Millions of the unemployed do not pay taxes and they can vote.People on food stamps do not pay taxes and they can vote.People in the section 8 programme do not pay taxes and they can vote Millions in America do not pay taxes and they can vote.So stop you BS.Green card holders pay hundreds of millions in taxes and they cannot vote,because they are not American citizens.Not paying taxes does not mean you cannot vote.As long as you are an American citizen in and out of America,you have a right to vote.There are hundreds of American citizens living in Dominica,they do not contribute a cent to the American economy and they can go to America anytime and vote.So Mr.Bi-polar stop talking foolishness.
He says he tells bodies like the OAS and Caricom to observe and when they make recommendations it’s not accepted or acted upon and it’s not like they can force anyone’s hands. So why mention them? I think it’s just to save face.
But in conclusion…I honestly don’t see whyhaving an ID card is a big issue and we have to debate what country doing it and which one doesnt. You go fresh market for a tin of milk and try to pay with your card you have to present a picture ID. But then again…i’m a barefoot uneducated man.
ERC – no retreat, no surrender! Use all your resources, influence, contacts to ensure that the deeply flawed and fraudulent national elections by the deplorable DLP are exposed and brought to its demise.
One devious outlaw and his miscreants should not be allowed to continue to negate the genuine aspirations of the thousands of right thinking Dominican people for free and fair elections. Enough is enough.
Mount a sustained campaign in the regional and international media about the chicanery, bribery and skullduggery perpetrated the thugs in the ruling political party of Dominica.
Who is ERC again? The
Waste of time people.
ERC. has finally lost its way. How can the American state department help? In some states in America ( including California) the state with the largest number voters does not require picture ID to vote, as a matter of fact it is an offense in California to ask a voter for a picture ID when he/she comes to vote. The higher courts in many states have thrown out laws which require specific ID cards for voters(similar to what we are about to introduce in Dominica). Regardless of where an American is or where he resides he remains a voter, an American living in Dominica continues to vote in American elections as there is no time disqualifying factors, he/she can request an absentee ballot that can allow them to vote from any part of the world. …what about campaign finance, by far the biggest corrupting activity in American politics.. so what can America do to help the ERC, when all of what they are asking for have been rejected by America in their domestic politics.
@ Point
You are an idiot to be babbling like a Picture ID is insignificant.
Right here in our region, we are most likely the only country voting without one. Quoting wherever an American is he remains a voter, speaks loudly of your ignorance why this happens. The American contributes to the IRS, while most Dominican abroad don’t contribute to our treasury. Do you know the meaning of IRS? Americans living abroad can’t determine the result of an American election. (At least i have never heard of that), but it can happen in Dominica. A candidate can win by ONE vote. So your comment is a stupid one. An empty brain and an empty barrel trying to defend a very very corrupt Chi-Chi leader.
You are swimming in your own ignorance..
This is a reactionary approach. You should intensity campaign now and every week to make sure when the people who we employ to represent our interests go to parliament and pass the laws for country and not self. What is passed has to be right and able to face the test of time. We already spend over 700k and wasting time. It is better to get right than to try unfix what already done. if it means the Phoenix have to rise from ground again. When the servant become the boss we have to bring it back to humility. you guys need to quit forming the royal astrology!