Justice Dr. Irvin Andre has issued a searing critique of Dominica’s newly passed electoral reform legislation, arguing that its failure to address campaign finance opens the door to legalizing unethical electoral practices.
Speaking in the wake of the March 19 protests and subsequent arrests, Dr. Andre said the omission was not accidental. “There is not a single mention of campaign finance reform because the political directorate wants to continue what they’ve been doing illegally—but now they want to do it legally,” he charged.
He warned that the system enables the payment of voters to travel and cast ballots, describing the legislation as a deliberate effort to “decriminalize robbery in terms of elections.” Citing regional observations and established legal principles, he added that the international community views these developments with deep concern.
Attorney Earl Williams echoed Andre’s sentiment, reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expressing concern over the handling of the March 19 demonstration. Williams argued that the movement of guardrails and disruption of traffic do not meet the legal definition of riotous behavior and questioned the legitimacy of arrests made on that basis.
“The people’s right to assemble is enshrined in the Constitution,” Williams stated. “Mere presence or non-violent disruption does not justify the use of force or arrests.”
The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has also spoken out, condemning the use of tear gas, projectiles, and the arrest of journalists during the protest. The union accused the government of suppressing dissent and using outdated colonial laws—like the 1954 Public Order Act—to stifle public outcry.
Meanwhile, support continues to mount for protestors. UWP executive member Glenroy Cuffy praised United Workers Party (UWP) leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine for raising international awareness, stating, “He is carrying the message that Dominica’s democracy is under threat.”
With mounting public and legal pressure, demands for a comprehensive review of the electoral process—including the introduction of campaign finance legislation—are growing louder. Whether the government will yield to these calls remains to be seen, but the nation’s civil society appears increasingly unwilling to stay silent.
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