The United Workers Party (UWP) and the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) have decided on holding rallies and candlelight vigils to counter the scheduled December 6 elections. UWP and ERC executives said they do not support the snap elections called by PM Roosevelt Skerrit because it betrays their expectations for electoral probity and political integrity.
UWP’s new political leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, said his party and other opposition parties in Dominica will not be contesting or participating in the coming elections without electoral reforms. He emphasized that Sir Dennis Byron, who was contracted to spearhead the country’s electoral reform, will have his draft legislation ready by the end of December, and that it is best to wait to review the document before proceeding with any national elections.
Fontaine said the UWP is collaborating with the ERC, the Public Service Union, and other civil liberties organizations to oppose the actions of the DLP towards the snap elections. He said the coalition will act within the boundaries of the law to embark on “a number of activities to strenghten our demand for such reforms. As we’ve indicated before, we are not going to rest, we are not going to stop until such time that we receive electoral reform. This is our number one priority going forward.”
Part of the activities outlined by the opposition include a town hall meeting at the Public Service Union building; a drive-through the west coast on Saturday; a call for national prayers on Sunday; and a massive rally and candlelight vigil at the Lagoon Roseau on Monday, December 5, 2022. He emphasized that everything the coalition is doing is to draw regional and global attention to the political situation in Dominica.
Fontaine also urged the international community to oppose the idea of a snap election in Dominica on December 6 and to not recognize any governments that result from it. He noted that the UWP has reached out to the OAS, the CARICOM Secretariat, and even President Charles Savarin to suspend the election writ until the implementation of electoral reforms. According to the economist, UWP members will also meet on Sunday, December 11, to determine the welfare of supporters within and outside the country.
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