UWP DOMINICA BOYCOTTING ELECTIONS

In a further move that had shocked Dominicans and the rest of the region, the United Workers Party (UWP) in Dominica have said that they will not contest in the upcoming general elections, stating that it is “an affront to our democracy and an insult.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stunned residents when he announced that the date for the country’s next general elections would be held within a month on December 6th, 2022.

In a statement, the united party said it views with “disappointment and dismay” the pronouncement by the Prime Minister to hold a “snap” general election, saying “this call for national elections is seen as an outrage to all Dominicans, especially the residents of the east of the country who were reeling under the impact of a natural disaster

“On the night when the country was expected to hear the Prime Minister lead the call to support those affected, Mr [Roosevelt] Skerrit decided to place his personal interest ahead of the country. This announcement must be condemned by all Dominicans as an affront to our democracy and an insult to our people.  

According to the UWP, Dominicans cannot be asked at this time to participate in another national election without meeting at least two basic election standards: A clean Voters List reflecting the persons who can legally vote; and National ID Cards available to all the legitimate voters.

The date for elections came as a shock to many, particularly as the next general elections is not constitutionally due until April 2025. Equally worrying is that the main opposition had not selected a leader following the departure of Lennox Linton.

“Dominicans cannot be asked at this time to participate in another national election without meeting at least two basic election standards [namely] a clean Voters List reflecting the persons who can legally vote; and National ID Cards available to all the legitimate voters.”

The United Party said that the Caribbean Court of Justice, which is Dominica’s final court, had in a written decision noted “in its opinion…there remain areas of grave concerns about how the process of these elections (2019 General Elections) was conducted.  Future elections in Dominica ought not to proceed with these or similar taints…” Furthermore, the December 6th election is likely to be held without electoral reform – a process which began in September 2020, headed by Sir Dennis Byron the former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The Dominica government had expected to receive a final report by the end of December 2020 on Sir Dennis’ suggestions, which it previously indicated was “important for the country”. However no official document for reform has been presented to the public.

It is those series of events that has caused the opposition to declare the elections “fraudulent” and one in which they will not participate. 

The party said that it was calling for President Charles Savarin to revoke the calling of the election, who last Sunday announced the date for the polls three years after he led the ruling Dominica Labour Party to a convincing 18-3 victory in the general election of 2019.

The Dominica Labour Party (DLP) was expected to reveal its “new-look slate of candidates” in the community of Mahaut this past Tuesday. Nomination Day in Dominica has been set for Friday the 18th November.