Dominica: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit has shared a significant update regarding the electoral reform process in the country. The electoral reform is an important part of the Skerrit led administration’s mandate.
The team, under the leadership of PM Skerrit has presented copies of the proposed electoral reform legislation to the electoral commission. The handover of the proposed legislation was done on May 15 in accordance with section 51 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The people of the country are looking forward to the implementation of the electoral reform process. He highlighted that the government had pledged to finalize all the draft bills regarding the process of the electoral reforms.
The office of the Attorney General of Dominica has finalized the bills as per the Prime Minister. Further, the administration has also presented the draft copies to the President of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton.
The Prime Minister noted that this development was a major step in honoring the commitment they made to the people and international partners. The step also signals the success of the administration’s efforts towards electoral modernization and reforms.
The next step for the government would be to give all the members of the parliament the copies of the bill. The other organizations who would receive the formal copies of the draft bills include:
- The organizational American states,
- The Commonwealth Secretariat,
- The organization of Eastern Caribbean states
- CARICOM
After the officials have received the copies of the bill, there will be an informal meeting of the parliament of Dominica. The members of the parliament will, during this meeting give their reviews on the electoral reforms and suggest necessary changes.
Following this, the bills will also be available for the people of Dominica to access through the website of the government. This way residents who wants to review the bill, read it or inform themselves about the contents of the bill will have the opportunity for it.
“We intend to keep this process very tight” said PM Roosevelt Skerrit. He announce they will take the legislation to the parliament in June 2024 before the end of the financial year.
They intend to have the legislation finalized in the month of June. This is to ensure that all the important budgetary or financial allocations can be made for the financial estimates.
They are working with the aim of giving the electoral commission both the legislative mandate and the financial resources. The Skerrit led team is dedicated to making sure that they can advance the implementation of the electoral reform process.
PM Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted that the bills will address some of the concerns raised by some sections of the people. The government will also consider some of the suggestions made by international partners regarding the electoral reforms.