A recent call by the Catholic Church of Dominica for electoral reform is a welcome one. Some individuals and organisations like Concern Citizens Movement and opposition political parties have all in the past joined in the campaign. The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has not hesitated in being part of that campaign. In July of 2018 the General Secretary of the DPSU who is also General Secretary of the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA) wrote an article entitled “A Cry for Electoral Reform” in which he called for consensus by both Government and opposition to arrive at a resolution to this matter in Dominica.
The continuing delay in adhering to the request for electoral reform does not reflect responsible Governance nor an effective Electoral Commission. It contributes adversely to peace and national unity. No Christmas message or independence address which calls for unity will result in any sustained positive outcome until there is electoral reform. This is so because of the large part of our citizenry who are interested in such reform. Their call simply should not be ignored.
In speaking to the issue of electoral reform we wish to quote the following from the said article written by Bro Thomas Letang for the CPSA. “Electoral reform in our view is orie of the biggest demonstrations of democracy because it facilitates free and fair elections. It sets the foundation for all who are eligible and qualified to vote, to do so. It sets a level playing field for all who are participating or offering themselves as candidates. It ensures that we will have an electoral list which is sanitized – and one that allows those who have departed this life to be removed from the list and be allowed to rest in peace.
