A by-election to fill the vacant parliamentary seat for Dominica’s Roseau North constituency has been officially scheduled for September 7, 2026, following the recent resignation of the area’s sitting representative. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit confirmed the announcement on Sunday, July 9, 2026, noting he has formally advised President Sylvanie Burton to issue an official writ under the state’s public seal to formalize the contest.
The vacancy in the House of Assembly was created on June 12, 2026, when former parliamentary representative Hon. Miriam Blanchard stepped down from her position. Per Section 553 of the Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution, any vacant House seat that does not result from the full dissolution of the legislature must be filled via a by-election within three months of the vacancy occurring, unless the entire House is dissolved earlier. This timeline aligns with the scheduling of the September poll, as Skerrit emphasized the process adheres fully to Section 12 of the House of Assembly Elections Act, Chapter 201.
Three candidates have already been confirmed to contest the open seat. Daniel Lugay will stand for the United Workers Party (UWP), while Ashma McDougal is the nominee of the incumbent Dominica Labour Party (DLP). Sherman Boston is running as an independent candidate in the contest. Candidate nominations will officially be accepted on August 21, 2026, ahead of the September 7 polling day.
In his public statement on the by-election, Prime Minister Skerrit stressed that the constitutional democratic framework in place guarantees residents of Roseau North full opportunity to select a representative that will advance their interests in the national legislature and contribute to ongoing national development work. He also issued a call to all eligible voters in the constituency to take part in the democratic process, urging all participants and candidates to uphold a peaceful, orderly campaign centered on policy issues rather than conflict.