{"id":339013,"date":"2025-03-26T10:56:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T14:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=339013"},"modified":"2025-03-26T11:20:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:20:13","slug":"dominica-labour-party-releases-statement-commending-parliamentary-approval-of-electoral-modernization-bills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/news\/dominica-labour-party-releases-statement-commending-parliamentary-approval-of-electoral-modernization-bills\/","title":{"rendered":"DLP statement commends parliamentary approval of Electoral Reform Bills"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
DLP team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On March 19, 2025, the Parliament of Dominica successfully passed three significant bills aimed at modernizing the electoral process within the Commonwealth, including the Registration of Electors Bill, 2024, the House of Assembly Elections Bill, 2024,\u00a0 and the Electoral Commission Bill, 2024.<\/p>\n

In a press statement released after the Bills’ passage, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) expressed their congratulations to the government for spearheading this process. saying, “We note with pride that the bills were all unanimously approved by the Parliament!”<\/p>\n

The DLP highlighted that the journey toward these modifications has been extensive and complex, having begun over a decade ago. This process included numerous consultations across Dominica as well as engagement with various regional and international organizations, such as the Commonwealth and the Organization of American States. The statement pointed out the role of\u00a0 “the former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Denise Byron, who was engaged in the process and drafted the laws.”<\/p>\n

While the reforms have been generally supported, the DLP acknowledged that some citizens protested outside Parliament. However, it was emphasized that \u201cALL the members, both on the government side and the opposition, voted in favor of the bills!” The DLP further remarked that even those opposition members who participated in protests later recognized that the new legislation represents \u201cmajor improvements on what previously existed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The press statement also indicated that although compromises were made during discussions, the Labour Party maintained a strong perspective on certain issues. For instance, the party believed that “a national ID card would have more value than just a voter ID card,” while also suggesting that the electoral office should extend its confirmation process to major cities overseas where many Dominicans reside via representative. However, according to the DLP, it agreed to conduct all confirmations within the island.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the DLP took the opportunity to commend the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force for their management of the demonstration outside Parliament, noting their “valiant” efforts to safeguard the legislative body while facing aggressive protests. The party stated that demonstrators attempted various measures to breach the barricades and that police had to respond to violence with tear gas after issuing warnings for protestors to dispersed–move that has since been highly scrutinized and hotly debated in the public sphere.<\/p>\n

In concluding the statement, the Dominica Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic advancement and national development. “There is a role for all Dominicans to play in this regard,” the DLP asserted, emphasizing that “inciting violence and breaking the law should not be encouraged or tolerated.” The statement encapsulated the party’s vision by stating, “Dominica is better than that! In Labour, our politics is about PEOPLE! People first; people always!”<\/p>\n

Further, it encouraged citizens, particularly Labour Party supporters, to engage fully in the upcoming voter confirmation processes.<\/p>\n

See full statement:<\/p>\n