The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) says that they will not contest the upcoming Grand Bay Constituency by-election on Thursday, November 25, 2021.
In a release from the DFP, its President Johnson Boston explained that this decision is driven by the long-awaited implementation of electoral reform in Dominica, which has been widely discussed and championed by the Opposition political parties, the Concerned Citizens Movement, and a group of Civil Society organizations.
“There have been several reports prepared on this all-important electoral reform initiative. As recent as 2019, the government engaged the services of a joint CARICOM – Commonwealth – OAS special mission to Dominica to undertake a review of the electoral reform process on the Island. A comprehensive review was carried out and a detailed report was presented to the government and was rejected in its entirety by the very government that engaged them,” Boston stated.
He states further, that in relation to the upcoming by-election, “the DFP leadership has consulted with a number of persons from the Grand Bay constituency who has advised that given the party’s positive history in the constituency, our focus should be placed on building a strong movement aimed at the next general election. The Executive Committee deliberated intensely on the electoral reform matter and the advice coming out of the Grand Bay constituency shaped its decision to not contest the by-election.”
“The records will show that the Dominica Freedom Party successfully contested and effectively represented the Grand Bay Constituency in Parliament, with esteemed representatives in the persons of Mr. Ralph Stanley Fadelle from 1970 to 1975, Mr. Avon Anthony Casimir 1975 to 1980, and Ms. Judiana Henderson 1980 to 1985. The party continues to enjoy a level of respect and admiration by many in the constituency,” he said.
The DFP Boston states called to question the “dictatorial behavior of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to cunningly impose his one-man decision on the people of the Grand Bay Constituency without giving them a choice in the matter”.
“The DFP strongly believes, and history has shown that the Grand Bay Constituency has and will continue to provide great leaders at all levels of human endeavor, and described the statement of Prime Minister Skerrit which gave the impression that all of a sudden there is no one capable who can represent the interest of the people of Grand Bay in Parliament and or Government as an insult to the people. Such an insult is a betrayal to the legacy and heritage of the people of the Grand Bay constituency, and by extension the people of Dominica,” he stated.
According to Boston, the Dominica Freedom Party will remain engaged and energetic in broadening its reach in the Grand Bay Constituency. “The party wishes the people of the Grand Bay Constituency well and calls on them to totally reject the imposition of Vince Henderson as a one-man candidate on the people of Grand Bay. Let Grand Bay be that beacon to restore democracy back to our beloved country,” Boston said.