President Charles Savarin has tasked Dominicans to embrace peace and dialogue during the forthcoming general elections. Speaking at Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s $1.02 billion national budget presentation to Parliament, President Savarin urged the electorates to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with international best practices.
“This upcoming poll is expected to be peaceful, as well as being undertaken in a manner consistent with international best practices,” President Savarin stated. “Essentially, the system or regime for conducting a free and fair poll in Dominica is in place and has been so for several decades.”
The president noted that the integrity of any democratic system is assured by a scrupulous electoral process which must be held in place through the combined efforts of the rule of law, the media, and the electoral commission. He further stated that the government and the opposition must respect all fundamental human rights according to codes of conduct established by the United Nations, CARICOM, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and the Commonwealth among others.
“The general election may be characterized as the quintessential manifestation of democracy in a country,” Savarin said. “At its core, it provides the citizens with the right and the opportunity to chose their representatives and Parliament and thereby their government via secret ballot.”
He noted that there is no perfect electoral system anywhere in the world, but noted that Dominica can lead by example. He said the three major political parties in the country have all won and lost elections in the past, and they must all accept their fate in the coming general elections. Savarin called on the electoral commission to put systems in place that will make the coming elections free and fair and fully transparent to the international community. He added there is always room for improvements.
“As our country faces the future may the good Lord continue to shower his blessings on our people as together we seek to overcome the many challenges confronting the nation along with fostering the understanding necessary to persevere in pursuit of excellence,” he prayed.
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