Tear Gas and Clashes in Dominica as Parliament Debates Electoral Reform

What began as a peaceful demonstration outside Parliament escalated into a tense standoff on Wednesday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters voicing opposition to the government’s proposed electoral reform legislation.

Authorities had earlier warned that no permission had been granted for demonstrations near the Parliament building, where legislators were set to approve the Electoral Commission Bill 2024, the House of Assembly (Elections) Bill 2024, and the Registration of Electors Bill 2024. The bills, which have been the subject of political debate since a 2023 report by former Caribbean Court of Justice President Sir Dennis Byron, are expected to pass with the ruling administration’s overwhelming parliamentary majority.

The Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), backed by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), had called for a peaceful demonstration to challenge what it describes as a deeply flawed legislative package that fails to safeguard electoral transparency.

Opposition and Activists Reject Government’s Reforms

Johnson Boston, a leading figure in the Electoral Reform Coalition, sought to reassure both demonstrators and businesses that the protest would remain non-violent, but he maintained that public mobilization was necessary to pressure the government into ensuring a transparent and fair electoral process.

This protest is a direct expression of the people’s deep concerns and dissatisfaction with the proposed bills on electoral reform. As a democratic society, it is our fundamental right to voice our demands and call for transparency in our electoral system.

Johnson Boston

Opposition Leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine echoed these concerns, arguing that the government’s proposals fail to address key electoral fairness issues and instead  further entrench the ruling party’s hold on power.

“The people of Dominica are saying that the reforms as contained in the legislation are not good enough,” Fontaine stated outside Parliament. “What the prime minister is attempting to do will not improve democracy, it will make it worse.”

Dr. Thomson Fontaine, Leader of the Dominica UWP

Fontaine hinted that the opposition had several strategies in place should the bills be passed, though he declined to provide details. “Let’s be very clear—this will not be the end. This is the beginning, and we will continue our struggle,” he insisted.

Police Declare Protest Unlawful, Crack Down on Demonstrators

Even before the first clashes erupted, Acting Police Commissioner Davidson Valarie had warned that any protest action near Parliament would be illegal, citing the Public Order Act, which requires prior authorization from law enforcement.

The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force advises that the Electoral Reform Coalition, officials of the United Workers Party, among other organizers, have been planning protest action on High Street in the vicinity of the House of Assembly.

No permission has been sought from the Chief of Police, neither has there been any permission granted by the Chief of Police for any protest action. Therefore, any protest action in Dominica on Wednesday…is unlawful.”

Acting Police Commissioner Davidson Valarie

Valarie further warned that those organizing or participating in unauthorized protests could be held criminally liable if the situation led to public disorder.

Despite these warnings, tensions escalated as demonstrators gathered in defiance of the government’s stance. As protesters chanted “No fair elections, no peace!”, police moved in, deploying tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Eyewitnesses reported chaos in the streets, with some demonstrators attempting to seek shelter in nearby businesses, while others clashed with officers in riot gear. Videos circulating on social media show smoke from tear gas canisters engulfing sections of the protest site, as security forces sought to regain control of the area.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

While the ruling government insists that the reforms are necessary to modernize Dominica’s electoral system, critics argue that they fail to address core issues, including campaign finance regulations and proper voter registry updates.

With the government holding a strong parliamentary majority, the passage of the bills seems inevitable, but opposition leaders have signaled that they will not let the matter rest.

What remains unclear is how future protests and potential legal challenges will unfold, as the opposition and civil society groups weigh their next steps in what has become an increasingly contentious battle for electoral reform in Dominica.

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