Opposition party in Dominica to boycott snap general election

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The main opposition United Workers Party in Dominica Tuesday said it has taken a decision not to contest the December 6 snap general election.

The party said that it remains convinced that the electoral reform “as demanded by the Dominican population is needed to facilitate free and fair elections” in Dominica.

Nomination Day is set for November 18.

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.

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.  

“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…”

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