High court judge Bernie Stephenson Brooks has denied the injunction to stop elections on December 6, 2019.
According to the judge, once the president issues a writ to hold elections, the matter is out of the court’s jurisdiction and is to be decided after the elections.
The injunction was brought forward by Loftus Durand, president of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) and other prominent leaders in Dominica, seeking electoral reform.
The purpose of the injunction according to court records was to restrain the Electoral Commission and the Chief Elections Officer from conducting general elections on the 6th of December due to (i) the absence of a verified and accurate voter’s list (ii) refusal of the Electoral Commission and Chief Elections Officer to hear objections which were filed within the time limits for so filing before printing the Final Revised List of electors; and (iii) the publication of an erroneous and non existent nomination date in the Gazzete in breach of the madatory provisions of Section 13 of the House of Assembly Elections Act.
The decision is expected to be appealed.
