Dominica Christian Council issues sweeping guidelines for the coming elections. The Election Code is designed for various stakeholders to follow before and during the coming general elections. The Election Code is developed to guide the conduct of people to ensure a free and fair election.
Bishop of the Roseau Diocese, Gabriel Malzaire, expressed hopes that the Dominica Labour Party, United Workers Party, Freedom Party, Dominica Christian Council, Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches and the Media Association will endorse the Election Code as a commitment to a better Dominica obtained through credible polls.
Bishop Malzaire also challenged all citizens, including the “government, parliamentary opposition, the religious community, the media association and the entire civil society to take a conscientious look at the Election Code issued by the Dominica Christian Council and which has served throughout the years of Independence, to guide the conduct of the various persons and groups during this pre-election period.”
The code recognizes that all Dominican citizens through the Constitution believe in the supremacy of God and the fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone on the island. It also affirms that the society can only remain truly free when men and institutions exercise respect for moral and spiritual values as well as the rule of law. And that everyone must play their own part for the continuance of democracy where there is respect for lawfully constituted authority and developmental growth of all persons.
To this extent, the Election Code stipulates that all political parties, politicians and their supporters must agree to –
- Avoid mud-slinging and character assassination
- Avoid lies and misrepresentations that mislead the voters
- Avoid language and behaviours that degrade people on account of colour, sex or creed
- Obey all electoral laws regarding the conduct of elections
- Avoid violence and resist bribery and corruption
- Discourage the use of residential building walls for offensive graffiti and statements
Furthermore, the electorates are also enjoined to –
- Know that every adult citizen must vote according to conscience
- Understand the constitution, objectives and policies of every political party
- Not sell votes or collect money before voting for anyone
- Understand that no political or economic system is completely perfect
- Accept the verdict of the majority when the votes are counted
Again, those in the media must agree to –
- Fully understand the full import of their influence on the general public
- Report the news factually without bias to anyone or any party
- To fully investigate issues and situations before reporting them
- Uphold the freedom of the press since a true democracy is based on this
And lastly, religious leaders such as church pastors and imams in mosques must agree to –
- Refrain from doing or saying anything that portrays partican politics
- Do everything that will promote peace and unity in respective communities
- Provide moral and spiritual guidance to members of respective congregations and worshippers
Bishop Malzaire tasked everyone celebrating independence that “while enjoying the full benefit of this festive moment, I wish to invite every patriotic national, to take some time to ponder deeply on the future of our country, as it prepares to engage in this “sacred act” [voting at the elections].”
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
