The United Workers Party (UWP) has called for immediate action on electoral reforms in Dominica. During a press conference at the Garraway Hotel on Thursday, Dr. Thomson Fontaine emphasized the urgent need for reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
Last month, the public was informed of draft legislation aimed at revising Dominica’s election laws following extensive public engagements and debates. The government spent over $700,000 to hire Sir Dennis Byron, former Chief Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice, to develop detailed recommendations.
Fontaine reassured Dominicans that the UWP is committed to making electoral reforms a reality before the next general election. He highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to educate the public and push for these long-awaited changes.
He urged the government to present legislation that genuinely sets the foundation for fair elections. Fontaine stressed the importance of including key recommendations from Sir Byron, the UWP, and the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), such as residency requirements, cleansing of the voters list, and campaign finance reform.
Fontaine acknowledged positive steps like the introduction of Voter ID Cards and equal access to DBS Radio but criticized the draft legislation for not meeting public expectations and omitting essential issues.
He highlighted the need for cleansing the voters list, noting the Caribbean Court of Justice’s observation that electoral lists are central to legitimate elections. Fontaine urged that the legislation require government-issued identification for voter confirmation to prevent abuse.
Fontaine also addressed the removal of the residency criterion, previously required for Commonwealth citizens to be ordinarily resident in Dominica. He called for amendments to ensure non-resident citizens can be removed from the voters list.
Regarding Voter ID Cards, Fontaine advocated for including biometrics such as a picture, address, polling district, constituency, and fingerprints. He also noted the absence of campaign finance reforms in the draft, despite recommendations in the Sir Byron Report.
Fontaine urged the Electoral Commission to fulfill its duty by submitting corrections to the draft legislation. He emphasized that the responsibility for overseeing elections lies with the Electoral Commission, not the government.
In closing, Fontaine called on Dominicans to insist on proper legislation being submitted to Parliament, emphasizing the need to get it right before presenting it.
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