Dominica: The Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit reflected on the chaos and protests that took place on the island on Wednesday, criticizing the opposition party for deliberately causing panic over electoral reforms which they themselves once called for. The leader of the nation emphasised on the intentions of the opposition party, stating that they are doing it only with their primary motive of serving their baseless political ambitions.
Emphasising on the tensions that flared in Dominica on Wednesday due to the protests over three controversial electoral reform bills, PM Skerrit noted that their nation witnessed scenes that none of them wanted to see on the island.
The Prime Minister emphasised on the built-up emotions of the protestors, noting that the government will not dismiss those feelings. However, he added that they recognise where all these have been stemmed from. He added that what they saw yesterday was not a natural reaction to electoral reform but rather a reaction fuelled by misinformation and deliberate agitation.
“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,” said PM Roosevelt Skerrit.
United Workers Party – Real Reason behind tensions in Dominica: PM Skerrit
PM Skerrit criticized the Opposition party and said that they do not want reform but ‘chaos’ in order to serve their political ambitions. He added that such behaviour by UWP is not new to the island. He asserted that the opposition party is deliberately causing panic, creating mislead, agitate and fear among the citizens of Dominica.
The Prime Minister shed light on the electoral reforms and stated that this was never about the bills themselves but about creating a spectacle, an illusion of unrest to manufacture doubt in the minds of the people of the island.
PM Roosevelt Skerrit also highlighted about UWP stepping out from the last general elections, describing it a clever move undertaken in order 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,” said PM Skerrit.
The Prime Minister noted that the opposition members in Parliament fully participated in the electoral process and exercised their role in debating and voting on the legislation. He added that the individuals that are creating unrest are not the parliamentary opposition but a group of activists who hold no constitutional authority in the matter.
He added that the members of the opposition in fact, represented in the House and supported the Registration of Electors Bill when it came to a vote. The Prime Minister outlined the need of the world to 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,” said PM Roosevelt Skerrit.
Reforms were debates, voted on and passed: PM Roosevelt Skerrit
Emphasising on the procedure of electoral reforms, PM Roosevelt Skerrit noted that the reforms were debated voted on and then passed through due legislative process with the participation and approval of all opposition members, including the Deputy Political Leader of the United Workers Party who is a Senator.
He added that these videos that are circulating online seems extremely shocking but all these protestors represent a very small group. He added that the actions of these protestors do not represent the true democratic process but rather an attempt to undermine it.
Committed to work and walk with the people: PM Skerrit
The Prime Minister noted that they cannot change the images and videos circulated online, but what happens next is in their hands. He therefore, reiterated his commitment to walk with the people, hand in hand, ensuring that electoral reform is fully understood.
He added that electoral reforms are not something to fear but a process which is all about fairness, transparency, and a stronger democracy. He added that like all the legislations, if amendments are required in the future, they will be made and that’s how democracy works.
The leader asked all the Dominicans to show their true strength, providing that Dominica is a nation that embraces progress, not fear.