General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang has called for the cleansing of the voter’s list before another general election is called in Dominica.
He made his comments at a forum held this week to discuss the Sir Denis Byron electoral report commissioned by the government which is being discussed throughout the island.
“The cleansing of the voters list I believe is very important and we do not have to wait for the implementation of Sir Byron’s recommendation,” he said.
Letang pointed out that there are some responsibilities that the electoral commission has and one is to look at the cleansing of the voters list and he believes that should take priority. He said the DPSU proposes a fixed date for holding elections and wishes to brush aside the argument that this should not be so, because it requires a constitutional change.
“Nothing wrong in a constitutional change, once it is to the benefit of all citizens,” Letang stated.
Also adding his voice to the discussion was Pastor Randy Rodney who is the President of the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches (DAEC).
Pastor Rodney called for “soberness” as the issue of electoral reform is being discussed.
“The DAEC encourages all parties to approach this important subject matter with soberness of mind, not with some of the rancor that we have heard, preserving it with soberness of mind and purity of heart to ensure that all our decisions are well-informed,” the church leader stated.
“In short, we have to stop fighting, it doesn’t make us look good…we have to stop fighting on issues that we shouldn’t fight about. Let’s for one time, use this occasion for once, to have a civil conversation about something that will affect all of us.”
“Let’s do this so we all feel that we have worked justly towards the good of the lovely Commonwealth of Dominica.”
The DAEC he said also encourages the media, “especially those on social platforms to be responsible in their discussions and civil to each other on the matter of electoral reform.”