Review of draft electoral legislation for the Commonwealth of Dominica

Dominica Business Forum Inc. 28th July, 2023

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The Dominica Business Forum Inc. has actively participated in the electoral reform process by presenting a comprehensive report in collaboration with other civil society organizations prior to the 2019 general elections and the DBF Inc. is the only civil society organization on record that engaged Sir Dennis Byron in public consultation after he was recruited to review the electoral legislation of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Dominica Business Forum Inc. considers the preparation of the draft legislation as the most significant development towards the achievement of the much-needed comprehensive electoral reform in the Commonwealth of Dominica and the DBF Inc. is concerned that any attempt to politicize the process of reviewing the draft electoral legislation presented by Sir Dennis Byron along political party lines will be disastrous to the citizens and the democratic principles of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Therefore, based on the Dominica Business Forum Inc’s record of impartiality and genuine involvement in addressing the electoral reform process and its ability to engage all sectors of society, the DBF Inc. will convene a national consultation to review the Draft Electoral Legislation to which invitations have been extended to Sir Dennis Byron, who has willingly accepted to make a presentation, the Attorney General, prominent legal professionals Mr. Julian Johnson and Dr. Irving Andre, all political parties, civil society organizations and individuals.

The consultation is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday 3rd August 2023 at the Truth and Grace Fellowship Global Church on Independence Street, Roseau and an open invitation is extended to all media houses to facilitate the process for live broadcast and streaming for wider public participation and access to the information divulged.

The Consultation Will Focus on:

1. An overview of the draft legislation presented by Sir Dennis Byron
2. Identification of flaws in the existing legislation
3. Recommendations proposed in the draft legislation.
4. Proposed amendments to the draft legislation.
5. Appointment of a working committee to revise the draft legislation.
6. Follow-up consultation
7. Presentation of the final draft legislation to the Electoral Commission and Attorney General for consideration and submission to parliament.

It is the Dominica Business Forum Inc’s expressed desire to find some common ground among the various stakeholders to arrive at an acceptable solution to the revised electoral legislation in the Commonwealth of Dominica which will be beneficial to the general population and future generations.

The Dominica Business Forum Inc. is confident that after almost forty-five years of political independence and the recent advocacy and demand for electoral reform, good sense will prevail, and the Commonwealth of Dominica will benefit from satisfactory electoral legislation which should be a model for the Commonwealth of Nations and a pillar to Dominica’s democracy. A successful consultation is anticipated on August 3rd, 2023.