![\"voter-fraud\"](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/voter-fraud.jpg\")
The Citizens Forum for Good Governance has begun publicising the names of persons who they claim have accepted bribes and tickets from the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to come to Dominica to vote at the December 08 General Elections.<\/p>\nThe Citizens Forum for Good Governance has begun publicising the names of persons who they claim have accepted bribes and tickets from the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to come to Dominica to vote at the December 08 General Elections.<\/p>\n
Already, Atherton Martin, on behalf of the group, has read the names of 18 such persons via Q95 Radio. He has also warned that such persons will pay the price for their actions aimed at rigging the elections and stealing the democratic franchise of Dominicans.
\nMartin warned that videos and photos will be taken of those who are here to vote illegally and improperly. Such videos and photos will be published and distributed globally and will be sent to the appropriate authorities such as the United States Department of State and the United States Embassy in Barbados.<\/p>\n
Other sources report that the Inland Revenue Service, (IRS) would also have an interest in such persons, since failure to report such income could be a financial crime, both on the part of the receiver and the giver or agent.
\nMartin said the group\u2019s job is to prevent the rigging of elections and violation of electoral laws.<\/p>\n
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
\nFurther, Martin revealed that the DLP has been contacting persons and offering them between $20, 000 and $50, 000 to run as independent candidates in certain constituencies. Martin explained that the plan is that the votes against the DLP would be split, thereby favouring that party.<\/p>\n
So far, the Citizens Forum for Good Governance has two such names but Martin said he understands that five such persons have been approached in a pre-poll attempt to divert votes from the Opposition and steal the election for the ruling party.
\nHe said that once it is confirmed that these persons are not genuine independents and have agreed to accept bribes and act on behalf of the DLP, then their names would also be publicized.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Martin said there is video and photo evidence of the DLP candidate of the Kalinago Territory walking beside a flatbed truck of lumber and offering the lumber as bribes to the members of the community.\u00a0Describing this as open bribery and an open violation of electoral laws of country and the recently signed Code of Conduct, Martin said the DLP is carrying out similar action in almost every Constituency.
\nAccording to Martin, the evidence from the Kalinago Territory has been sent to the Christian Council which spearheaded the Electoral Code of Conduct. The footage will also be broadcast on Marpin Channel 12, he assured.<\/p>\n
He noted that attempts to undermine Dominica\u2019s democracy must be arrested.
\nFurther, Martin questioned why a political party would be interested in stealing an election and not allowing due process in an electoral democracy to unfold.\u00a0He said that if the DLP style of governance is to throw money at a problem, bribe, steal and engage in illegal activities, then they would have lost all credibility as a government and the right to form one.\u00a0Martin said the DLP is aware that many of their wrong doings have been discovered and as such, they would have to have to face legal implications under a new government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are scared to death\u2026they are scared of the implications\u2026\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, candidate for the Grand Fond Constituency, Dr Thomson Fontaine noted that there are signs of increasing desperation on the part of the DLP.\u00a0He expressed concerns that independent overseas observers such as the OAS and Carter Centre have not been invited for the General Elections up to when checks were made early this week.\u00a0Dr Fontaine said the UWP had made representation for the Carter Centre to be invited as an election observer.\u00a0The UWP is therefore worried about irregularities in the form of bribery of individuals to come to Dominica to vote.
\nDr Fontaine said that those who accept such bribes have disqualified themselves from voting. Others who have not been residing here for the last five consecutive years, are also being brought to vote, he said.<\/p>\n
FAILED
\nDeclaring that the Electoral Commission has failed Dominicans and has not done what it was being paid to do, Dr Fontaine said the office has had enough time to clean up the voters list and institute a voters i.d. card system to ensure free and fair elections in Dominica.\u00a0He said the head of the Electoral Commission should take the responsibility for whatever happens at the election as they have not done what they should have.\u00a0Dr Fontaine opined that the Commission has conspired with the DLP to steal the election.<\/p>\n
Candidate for the Roseau South Constituency Joshua Francis said he is confident that the UWP will win and that there is divine intervention in the campaign.\u00a0He said Dominicans understand that the UWP Team Dominica is the better alternative to take Dominica forward.
\nHowever, he noted the desperation on the part of the DLP in taking immoral and illegal actions to remain in power.
\nFrancis said civil society and interest groups have positioned themselves to assist in preventing the DLP in its intentions to steal the elections.
\nHe said Dominica needs to legislation in place to guard against such actions in the future.<\/p>\n
For more information, please contact the following :<\/p>\n
Honourable Norris Prevost : Tel \u2013 1-767-275-3420 ; e-mail – norris.prevost@gmail.com
\nDr Thomson Fontaine : Tel \u2013 1-767-245-7719; e-mail – thomsomfontaine@gmail.com
\nJoshua Francis: Tel \u2013 e-mail \u2013 Tel \u2013 1-767-285-9732; e-mail – jfc@cwdom.dm<\/p>\n
Change is a Must. www.uwpdominica.com .767 275 3420<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Citizens Forum for Good Governance has begun publicising the names of persons who they claim have accepted bribes and tickets from the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to come to Dominica to vote at the December 08 General Elections. Already,…","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":128014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-128013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uwp"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n