ROSEAU, Dominica – Dominica's Parliament on Wednesday approved electoral reform legislation as police fired teargas and rubber bullets at opposition supporters who claimed that the government had not been transparent enough in dealing with the matter.
Opposition lawmaker, Anthony Charles, making his contribution in the Parliament on Wednesday (CMC Photo)Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was not present at the parliamentary session, having flown to French island of Saint Martin to attend the 76th meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean (OECS) leaders that ends there on Thursday.
The Dominica government had late last year tabled the three bills, namely the Electoral Commission Bill 2024, House of Assembly (Elections) Bill 2024, and Registration of Electors Bill 2024, and Parliament was meeting today to give its approval to the legislation that had been reviewed by the relevant individuals and groups since Sir Dennis Byron, the former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), submitted his report on electoral reform on June 12, 2023.
The ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) enjoys a 19-2 majority in the Parliament and even with Skerrit and two other legislators being absent, the bills were always guaranteed to receive parliamentary approval on Wednesday.
During the debate, one of the two opposition legislators, Anthony Charles, supported the measure, telling legislators that for more than 17 years, the issue of electoral reform has been an “ongoing debate.
“I stand for the bills to be passed,” he said to loud applause, adding “we have to start somewhere, we have to give and take and this is not about political parties showing how strong they are, this is not about the government flexing their muscle, this is about democracy.
“I want to put on record that I am recommending that we need to start it and I am going to be one of those who is going to start it…by passing this bill today
Attorney General Levi Peter in starting of the debate, acknowledged that the bills did not have “everything that everybody would want.
“Does this bill has most of what most people would want, the answer Mr. Speaker is yes,” he said, agreeing that the legislation is a significant improvement on the existing bills and will contribute to “the modernization of the registration of electors in Dominica.
“Electoral modernization and reform is not a one-time event. Rather, Mr. Speaker it is a continuous process which requires review and intellectual and legal rigor, fortitude and diligence to ensure that identified issues, short comings and improvements are appropriately addressed in a timely manner.
“The objective always Mr. Speaker being to establish and maintain, an electoral system and process, which is free, fair and free from fear and which ensures that as many people are qualified and lawfully entitled to exercise their franchise are able to do so”.
But outside the Parliament building, the UWP which boycotted the last general election over electoral reform issues, has hinted at a continuation of the “struggle” to get the government to meet other aspects of electoral reform, such as campaign financing debated.
UWP leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine told reporters that the “people of Dominica are saying that the reforms as contained in the legislation are not good enough.
“We believe that what the prime minister is attempting to do will not improve democracy, it will make it worse and we are at the point where we have been extremely patient, we have waited very long for electoral reform and they are asking is for him to do the right thing.
”People are here because they are not happy with this government, they are not happy with what they have been doing as far as taking away some of the safeguards we have in our legislation,” he added.
Fontaine said that the opposition had “several” options should the three pieces of legislation be approved in the Parliament “which I cant go into now, but let’s be very clear this will not be the end.
“This is the beginning, this is not the end and so this is something we will have to fight through until we get it and whatever happens in Parliament today we will continue our struggle,” he added.
Police fired teargas and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd that had gathered outside the parliament building and Acting Police Commissioner Davidson Valarie insisted that no permission had been given for any protest action to be held.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force advises that the Electoral reform Coalition, officials of the United Workers Party among other organizers have been planning protest action on High Street in the vicinity of the House of Assembly.
“I wish to inform that no permission has been sought from the Chief of Police, neither has there been any permission granted by the Chief of Police for any protest action. Therefore any protest action in Dominica on Wednesday…is unlawful.
He said the Public Order Act makes it clear that protest action could only take place after permission has been given, adding “the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force is advising the public from participating in any unlawful or protest action in Dominica on Wednesday”.
He warned that those involved in organizing the “illegal protest or march…will be held criminally liable for any public disorder that may arise from this illegal protest action”.
The Registration of Electors Act makes provisions for mandatory voter confirmation during a specified period of 12 months, requiring valid documentation for verification.
Dominican citizens residing overseas who wish to be reconfirmed on the electors’ list will be required to do so in person in Dominica.
Voter Identification Cards will be issued containing key identifying information, including a photograph and advanced security features such as a unique identification number.
To enhance the autonomy and capacity of the Electoral Commission, the legislation provides for the establishment of the Electoral Commission Fund and other tools to empower the commission to oversee free and fair elections.
Usage of technology in voter registration and record management; introduction of the use of an electronic voting system; equal access to the media; and increased accessibility for persons with disabilities are also included in the legislation.
