PM urges cross-sectional approach to managing of electoral reform

 

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has called for a nationalistic approach to managing Sir Dennis Byron’s report on Electoral Reform.

The report was presented to various groups and organizations including NGOs, media houses, churches, political parties, and trade unions, amongst others, at a function held at the State House Conference Centre on Wednesday.

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

“I want in the final analysis for Dominica to be the ultimate winner in this exercise…,” he said. “I want for there to be a nationalistic approach to the management of this assignment.”

According to the prime minister, this is not a partisan political affair, “it is also not the sole responsibility of politicians, political parties or government officials.”

Skerrit continued, “Every organized group in Dominica, every special interest group in Dominica, every Dominican with an interest in the future of Dominica are being invited to lend their voice in the discussion.”

He pointed out that those who have been presented copies of the final report are invited to discuss the report with their members, canvas their views of the wider groups and fraternities, “and return to us on invitation with prepared presentations and recommendations on how we move forward.”

“I would like to think that we can convene four centralized events over a 10-day period, during which we can hear from the most wide-bodied and influential groups in society.”

Mr. Skerrit continued, “Thereafter I foresee us taking the discussions to the community level where individuals from each geographical region can and will be provided the opportunity to weigh in on the subject.”

Furthermore, the Prime Minister intends to share the report with respected regional and international luminaries and organizations before finally tabling new draft legislation in the Parliament of Dominica.

“It is my fervent wish that we can conclude this process and the legislation can be passed and enacted into law before the end of this calendar year,” he noted.

Mr. Skerrit, therefore, called on the general public to take an active and sincere part in the process.

“I believe that just as we will rally together in the days ahead to navigate whatever comes our way weather-wise, we should also rally together in the weeks and months ahead to agree on the four corners of the new electoral administrative procedures of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” he stated.

 

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29 Comments

  1. Petes
    June 28, 2023

    Skerrit, in this instance you have to ‘manage’ nothing at all. All you have to do is implement the reform. Full stop, end of discussions. We all know what happens when you are finished with ‘managing’ things. Leave things alone, nobody asked you to get involved. It’s the job of an impartial electoral commission. Go on a 6 month holiday to China, take your dunce Missus and let us get on with things. WE DON’T NEED YOU ANYMORE!

  2. JAH KAL
    June 23, 2023

    next month, there was a typo.

  3. JAH KAL
    June 23, 2023

    Dominican please don’t let that guy fool you all with his garbage , after 23years you still talking trash,by the end of september every one on island who can vote suppose to get their voters ID card, and getting ready for voting no later than early 24, enough is enough no more of skerrit garbage. Time to go fool, you must go.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • June 28, 2023

      We will see you and your buddies at next election. Do not get disappointed at the end of the day into the night. I will see you then.

  4. Lin clown
    June 23, 2023

    Pipo,the electoral commission has to do it’s work according to law,the constitution makes it clear.What you do not understand is,the constitution gives parliament the right to make laws in the INTEREST of the PEOPLE which the electoral commission must follow.The electoral commission does not have the authority to make electoral laws.Who is the people?The people is the majority.If you make an honest survey you will know the majority of Dominicans including supporters of UWP are not interested in electoral reform.Case in point UWP boycotted the 2022 election,the people of Dominica did not.Of those who voted,DLP got 82% ,and more than 15,000 votes,that is just about the amount UWP got in 2019.Remember DLP only contested 15 of 21seats.Electoral reform makes it easier for UWP to lose every election.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 35
    • Ibo France
      June 25, 2023

      Madman talking!

  5. Toto
    June 23, 2023

    Boy, Skerrit is like a bousjon blocking the chicken cloaca and unless and until this blockage is removed the malodourous mess inside will soon kill that fat chicken and it won’t even be fit to eat. Please, please get rid of that thing and let us breathe, live and survive before it is too late and we end up like one fat but sick and inedible Dominica Stalin poul.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
  6. HI FIVE
    June 23, 2023

    The PM is showing his I RUN THINGS in Dominica attitude. Not a word from the chairman of the Electoral Commission. He appears to be a puppet of Skerrit. People must protest to get that chairman to resign. We just do not seem to understand the power we have.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  7. Batibou
    June 23, 2023

    Skerrit, this is none of your business. It’s the business of the citizens of Dominica and the electoral commission. Furthermore, why would you see the necessity to share the report with ‘respected’ regional and international luminaries and organisations? What’s the reason for that? He also keeps referring to ‘the new electoral administrative procedures of the Commonwealth of Dominica’ rather than Electoral Reform. Why does he see the need to continue doing that? All you better be on your guard. When Mister is finished, he will have sold all you an old donkey and tells you that it is a thoroughbred race horse. The man can’t be trusted! He needs to be taken off his high horse and put into Stockfarm.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
  8. RastarMarn
    June 22, 2023

    But for there to be reform doesn’t that indicate there was something blatantly wrong with the current situation in the first place???

    And for the NewBorn, His Highness Skerrit is the one that have been there forming de @$$ with those Rules why the reform was commissioned in the first place!!!

    Is not because the Rules were set down improperly at their inception, but is because Skerrit took them made them his own, and made a mockery of them,,,

    That is why the Rules had to be enforced in this manner!!!

    Call it whatever allyou want but these are the same Rules as before they just being resubmitted again on and for the record!!!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  9. Bwa-Banday
    June 22, 2023

    Just wait Skerro!
    As soon as we have the list of needed changes compiled by His Excellency Irvin Andre and distributed to the public all kai-poul-kwasay peacefully until we get what we want. This time we will not going home until all demands are met. We will be cooking, playing dominoes and draft in the middle of Roseau and shutting down the rest of the country 24hrs a day 7 days a week if thats what it takes. No one should take this as a threat but rather a promise. It will not be like a Wednesday walk even if every Wednesday walk have you Skerro poopooing in your pampers.

    We will do so peacefully but if one person is arrested by the manicou gang the people will not take it laying down. Enough is enough.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  10. Sikiye
    June 22, 2023

    Animal farm, the fox still want to guard the chicken coop. Only in Dominica.

  11. Pipo
    June 22, 2023

    Our constitution is quite clear that electoral matters are the sole and exclusive reserve of an independent electoral commission. Why a Prime Minister is meddling in this and wants to be the choir master is beyond me. Yes, I do question the motives of three of the Commission members because of their apparent conflict of interest and if so, they should stand down and new members be elected. But this not the remit of a Prime Minister. The delay in producing this report is inexcusable and now it looks like Roosevelt Skerrit is playing for even more time. The question is why. Is this going the way of an indefinite judicial inquiry where endless money is expended in an attempt to stifle progress and natural justice. We’ll have to see who has the longest breath then, wont we.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 63 Thumb down 4
    • June 24, 2023

      He has to meddle so you won’t have to say later that he keeps quiet because he got something up his sleeves working on. What is it you want from Skerrit to make you happy? We will still dominate the elections come next time. The majority of Dominicans do not believe in you and your nonsense.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 11
  12. JAH KAL
    June 22, 2023

    We want voters ID period no BS skerrit.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 4
  13. Roland Alan Mitchell
    June 22, 2023

    The rep[ort was commissioned because something was radically wrong. Mr Skerrit as the main culprit should resign immediately. He cannot remain one minute longer than necessary.

    But Mr Skerrit has no conscience. He has stolen too much of Dominica’s wealth. It is a pity that he is not a god fearing man.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 3
    • Petes
      June 23, 2023

      Very well stated! Dominica has absolutely no future if this man stays in power any longer.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
      • June 24, 2023

        Do you have a future? What is your future? Tell me. When last did you look into your future? You are just another copy cat. Another winding man who cannot stand firm.

        Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 10
        • Batibou
          June 27, 2023

          You are as crazy as a spring hare. Typical Skerrit/DLP supporter. I told you before, do yourself a favour and stay out of here, you making a complete and utter fool of yourself. Meanwhile, your political hero is laughing at you and wondering where all those fools came from that see fit to defend the indefensible on a daily basis.

    • June 24, 2023

      Did you not take to the streets a few weeks ago protesting no election reforms forthcoming from Skerrit? You have it now and you still protesting. Roland, why don’t you take a hike with your blue monkeys and Ugly Lenny?

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 8
  14. Ibo France
    June 22, 2023

    Corrupt, unscrupulous politicians like Roosevelt would go to the greatest lengths to avoid changes to electoral systems that give them a huge, unfair advantage at the polls.

    Fundamental but easily to implement changes they make complicated to befuddle the unsuspecting and ignorant electors.

    If anyone truly believe that this hardcore, corrupt villain will have a change of heart on fair and sensible changes to the electoral system in Dominica, you will also believe in time to come elephants will grow wings and fly.

    Only the unrelenting, collective and determined efforts of the large majority of he electorate can and will bring about positive and crucial changes to the local electoral system. The overly corrupt status quo has worked exceptionally well in keeping Roosevelt at the top of the food chain for the last twenty (20) unbroken years. No way this arrogant, unlearned ignoramus will change this.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 4
    • June 24, 2023

      If dem a ball-heads, run dem out of dere, if dem a screw face, run dem out of dere. Run dem, run dem, run dem out of dere. Sweet Dominica is on the move so get your shovel and start doing something.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
      • Batibou
        June 29, 2023

        Didn’t I say it, mad as a spring hare! You need to see Dr. Benji as a matter of absolute urgency.

  15. Juanita
    June 22, 2023

    “I want in the final analysis for Dominica to be the ultimate winner in this exercise…,” he said. “I want for there to be a nationalistic approach to the management of this assignment.” And he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear…
    The quote “well done is better than well said” is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the USA. It reminds us of the importance of actions over words and that it is better if something is done rather than saying that something will be done. Let’s wait and wee how this plays out.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 43 Thumb down 3
    • June 24, 2023

      The UWP will never regain power not in this life, not in the next one. So, do not keep your hopes too high. Election reform will not make a difference. We are moving on and will continue to move on. Sweet Dominica is on the move so get out your shovel and do something for your country. If they are ball-heads run dem out of there, if they are screw face run dem out there. Run dem, run dem run, run dem out of there.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 9
  16. MEME
    June 22, 2023

    The various groups and organisations must bear in mind, the type of deceitful and dishonest character that Skerrit is. He is like a chameleon, he changes his cloak according to the audience. Skerrit has a vested interest in electoral reform, so he should NEVER be the one leading the reform he himself has stalled since 2008. The 2008 E-Mail from Anthony Astaphan, addressed to Skerrit it testimony to this truth….Finally, he should not give the country his style of reform. This reform must come from the people.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 3
    • Batibou
      June 23, 2023

      The CM won’t let go of this one. He knows that proper electoral reform means the end of his miserable and corrupt reign. So, don’t expect him to go without a fight!

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • June 23, 2023

      More political garbage. You cannot satisfy these grouchy men and women. They have an insatiable appetite for everything.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 12
  17. Roger Burnett
    June 22, 2023

    For those who were not “awardees” at yesterday’s ceremony, the report can be viewed online at:
    https://dominica.gov.dm/notices/1533-report-on-electoral-reform-in-dominica

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1

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