Skerrit Speaks on DLP’s Court Victory; UWP Swears to Approach Appeals Court

Following the victory of the DLP administration at the High Court and the dismissal of the 10 election petitions filed by the UWP, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declared that the initial lawsuit filed by the opposition was an abuse of legal processes. But UWP stalwarts have vowed to approach the Court of Appeals to seek to overturn the High Court ruling.

The UWP had alleged election irregularities across 10 constituencies in the country and sought the court to overturn the DLP victory at the December 2019 general elections. The opposition accused the government of the case of treating, bribing voters, and importing electors into the country to vote. The matter proceeded to the High Court where Justice Raulston Glasgow threw out the case for lack of merit.

The judge also awarded $5,000 against the petitioner for the lack of credibility with their case.

In addressing the court victory, PM Skerrit said the election was free and fair and adjudged as such by independent observers from the Commonwealth, OAS, CARICOM, and experts from Latin America. He added that Dominicans exercised their franchise without fear or coercion and that the opposition should have simply accepted their fate and laid down their swords.

We always maintained that Dominica conducted a free and fair election. These elections were recognized as being free and fair by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Organization of the American States (OAS), by the CARICOM and also a mission out of Latin America.

Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister of Dominica

According to Skerrit, the DLP secured 60% of the popular votes and controls 80% of the parliament.

However, UWP leader Lennox Linton berated Justice Glasgow for the judgement, saying the judge was wrong to have thrown out the 10 petitions filed by the opposition. He said the opposition has a very good case and would be proceeding to the Appeals Court to seek redress.

UWP Senator Francisca Joseph encouraged party members to remain strong and hopeful despite the loss at the court, while attorney-at-law Joshua Francis urged the party to remain focused on the primary goals of the party. UWP President Isaac Baptiste blamed the Judge Glasgow for his ruling, insisting that he demonstrated bias in delivering his judgement to the favour of the ruling party.

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