ROSEAU, Dominica, Mar 20, CMC -Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday blamed “misinformation and agitation” for the scenes witnessed in Dominica 24 hours earlier when police fired teargas and rubber bullets at protestors as the Parliament debated and approved electoral reform legislation.
The police had earlier warned that no permission had been granted to anyone to gather and protest outside the Parliament building on the outskirts of the capital.
In a nationwide address to the nation, Skerrit, who was attending a meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean (OECS) leaders in the French island of Saint Martin, when the parliamentary debate was taking place, said “Yesterday, our nation witnessed scenes that none of us want to see in Dominica”.
Skerrit acknowledged that “emotions are high and people have concerns” but that his government “will never dismiss those emotions”.
However, he said “We must also recognise where they stem from, misinformation and deliberate agitation,” adding “What we saw yesterday was not a natural reaction to electoral reform.
“Across the world, nations fight for electoral reform, not against it. People do not usually take to the streets in anger when transparency and fairness are being enhanced. So why did this happen? Because this was always the opposition’s plan.
“They do not want reform; they want chaos, believing it would serve their political ambitions,” Skerrit said, adding “This is not new.
“They have done it before. 2017 stands as a clear example. The opposition knows better, but instead of leading with honesty, they choose to mislead, agitate, and create fear. They deliberately caused panic over something they once called for.”
Prime Minister Skerrit in his broadcast said that the protest action “was never about the bills themselves” adding “This was about creating a spectacle, an illusion of unrest to manufacture doubt in the minds of the people”.
The Dominica government had late last year tabled the three bills, namely the Electoral Commission Bill 2024, House of Assembly (Elections) Bill 2024, and Registration of Electors Bill 2024, and Parliament met on Wednesday to give its approval to the legislation that had been reviewed by the relevant individuals and groups since Sir Dennis Byron, the former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), submitted his report on electoral reform on June 12, 2023.
The ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) enjoys a 19-2 majority in the Parliament and even with Skerrit and two other legislators being absent, the bills were always guaranteed to receive parliamentary approval.
The Registration of Electors Act makes provisions for mandatory voter confirmation during a specified period of 12 months, requiring valid documentation for verification. Dominican citizens residing overseas who wish to be reconfirmed on the electors’ list will be required to do so in person in Dominica.
Voter Identification Cards will be issued containing key identifying information, including a photograph and advanced security features such as a unique identification number. To enhance the autonomy and capacity of the Electoral Commission, the legislation provides for the establishment of the Electoral Commission Fund and other tools to empower the commission to oversee free and fair elections.
Usage of technology in voter registration and record management; introduction of the use of an electronic voting system; equal access to the media; and increased accessibility for persons with disabilities are also included in the legislation.
During the debate, one of the two opposition legislators, Anthony Charles, supported the measure, telling legislators that for more than 17 years, the issue of electoral reform has been an “ongoing debate.
“I stand for the bills to be passed,” he said to loud applause, adding “We have to start somewhere, we have to give and take and this is not about political parties showing how strong they are, this is not about the government flexing their muscle, this is about democracy.
“I want to put on record that I am recommending that we need to start it and I am going to be one of those who is going to start it…by passing this bill today,” he added.
Prime Minister Skerrit said Dominicans “deserve better than this political game-playing” reminding the population that the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) chose not to contest the last general elections.
“They deliberately removed themselves from the democratic process and are now trying to impose their will on the country from the outside. Their absence from Parliament was their own doing, and yet they seek to dictate national affairs without a constitutional mandate.”
On Wednesday, the UWP leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, said the protest action is a continuation of the “struggle” to get the government to meet other aspects of electoral reform, such as campaign financing debated.
Fontaine, speaking to reporters outside the parliamentary building, said that the “people of Dominica are saying that the reforms as contained in the legislation are not good enough.
“We believe that what the prime minister is attempting to do will not improve democracy, it will make it worse and we are at the point where we have been extremely patient, we have waited very long for electoral reform and they are asking for him to do the right thing.
”People are here because they are not happy with this government, they are not happy with what they have been doing as far as taking away some of the safeguards we have in our legislation,” he added.
Fontaine said that the opposition had “several” options should the three pieces of legislation be approved in the Parliament “which I can’t go into now, but let’s be very clear this will not be the end”.
In his national broadcast, Prime Minister Skerrit said that the opposition members in Parliament fully participated in the process and exercised their role in debating and voting on the legislation.
“The individuals creating unrest are not the parliamentary opposition but a group of activists who hold no constitutional authority in this matter. In fact, the members of the opposition, represented in the House supported the Registration of Electors Bill when it came to a vote.
“The world must understand that this is not an issue of legitimate parliamentary dissent but rather an orchestrated attempt to create disorder. The regional and international community must be made aware that this is not a case of a government pushing through reforms against resistance in Parliament.”
Skerrit said that the reforms were debated, voted on, and passed through due legislative process with the participation of elected opposition members.
“The actions of the protestors do not represent the true democratic process but rather an attempt to undermine it. While the videos circulating online may seem shocking, they represent a very small group,” Skerrit said, adding “The vast majority of Dominicans understand why these reforms are necessary.
“We do not blame those who were misled. When fear is sown, it is natural for some to react.
But our duty now is to lead with truth, to show what these reforms mean. We cannot change the images and videos from yesterday; they will remain on the internet forever.”
Skerrit said going forward, the government will continue to walk with the people “hand in hand, ensuring that electoral reform is fully understood.
“Electoral reform is not something to fear; it is about fairness, transparency, and a stronger democracy. Like all legislation, if amendments are needed in the future, they will be made, that is how democracy works.
“But we must move forward with calm, with understanding, and with facts. Over the coming weeks and months, we will break down these reforms, answer questions, and ensure no doubt remains.”
Skerrit told the population that the best way to combat lies is with truth and that he was asking “every Dominican, do not meet negative energy with negative energy.
“Instead, meet fear with knowledge, meet misinformation with facts. This is a moment for Dominicans to show our true strength. We are a proud people, a people of peace, of resilience, of unity. Let us rise above those who seek to divide.
“Let us prove, not just to ourselves but to the world, that Dominica is a nation that embraces progress, not fear. Yesterday is gone. Today, and the days ahead, belong to u,” he said, adding “Let us walk forward together, in understanding and in truth”.
CMC/gh/ir/205