Commonwealth observers say Dominica’s election displays the collective will of voters
The Commonwealth Group that noticed Dominica’s basic election stated on Thursday that the outcomes of the December 6 polls mirrored the collective will of voters.
Presenting its preliminary findings, the group concluded that Election Day and the pre-election environment have been largely peaceable, and voters have been free to train their franchise.
“It’s the group’s thought of view that the outcomes mirror the collective will of the individuals who voted and that the election … was performed in accordance with the legal guidelines of Dominica,” it stated.
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Nonetheless, the observers famous that whereas wholly in keeping with the Structure, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s November 6 announcement of the snap election created sure challenges for some stakeholders with opposition events making the choice to boycott the election, because of the alleged lack of progress on electoral reform.
The opposition events had been calling for electoral reform, together with a clear voters checklist and identification playing cards.
“The group notes that there is no such thing as a requirement for voters to show their identification utilizing an ID card, or different type of photographic identification, as is the case in lots of Commonwealth international locations. The group additionally notes that the procedures for checking the eligibility of residents dwelling overseas have been the topic of intense debate,” stated chairperson of the group and Former Overseas Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed.
“The observations of the group are that voters who turned out have been in a position to determine themselves satisfactorily to electoral officers and train their franchise. However, the group considers that there’s room for enchancment on this regard.”
The Commonwealth Observer Group counseled and congratulated all Dominicans who participated peacefully within the voting course of.
It additionally congratulated the election authorities and polling workers, the political events, candidates, the police, and candidates’ brokers for his or her respective roles in making certain the success of the electoral course of.
“It’s the group’s hope and expectation that the peaceable environment that characterised Election Day will prevail. All Dominicans, particularly political events, candidates, and their supporters, are inspired to proceed to point out magnanimity and uphold their commitments to peace, in a spirit of nationwide unity and solidarity,” Mohamed stated.
The observers have been additionally notably impressed by the substantial variety of ladies and youth who participated within the electoral course of, not solely as candidates and voters but in addition as polling workers, celebration brokers, and witnesses/observers.
The great remaining report, which is able to set out the complete findings on your complete election course of, shall be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary Normal and thereafter shared with the Authorities of Dominica, the Electoral Workplace, political events, and all Commonwealth governments, earlier than being made public.
The ultimate report will even provide a number of suggestions for consideration to contribute towards the deepening of democracy and strengthening future electoral processes.
CMC/