标签： Dominica

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica has emphasized the importance of voter registration in the ongoing electoral reform process, urging all eligible citizens to confirm their registration. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Skerrit addressed concerns about misinformation campaigns by opposition groups and reiterated the independence of the Electoral Commission in managing the process. The Registration of Electors Act 2025, a cornerstone of electoral modernization, mandates that all registered voters confirm their registration by October 14, 2026. Over 4,000 voters have already completed this process in the first month. Skerrit encouraged citizens, both domestic and abroad, to visit enrollment centers to ensure their names remain on the voters list. He also clarified that the Electoral Commission, as an independent body, is solely responsible for overseeing voter registration and confirmation. Skerrit expressed disappointment with the Commission’s recent decision to remove alternative identification methods, such as affidavits of identity, which he argued disadvantages elderly and low-income voters. He called for the Commission to revisit this decision to ensure broader participation. Additionally, Skerrit criticized the suspension of new voter registrations, citing the Commission’s prior experience with technology-enabled systems. He also condemned misinformation spread by opposition leaders, particularly Dr. Thomson-Fontaine of the United Workers’ Party, accusing him of making false claims to confuse voters. Skerrit urged political leaders to uphold the integrity of Dominica’s electoral process, emphasizing that every vote matters in maintaining the country’s democracy.

At the CELAC-EU Summit held in Santa Marta, Colombia, on November 10, leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union reaffirmed their dedication to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica highlighted these commitments during a press conference on Thursday. The summit emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution. CELAC’s declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace was also endorsed, with a focus on dialogue, cooperation, and maritime security, particularly for small island states. The leaders expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact of global conflicts and agreed that diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for international law should guide their actions. On Ukraine, they supported efforts for a sustainable ceasefire and just peace based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Regarding Gaza, they welcomed the first phase of a comprehensive peace plan and urged adherence to international humanitarian law. The summit also reaffirmed support for Haiti’s security and stability and opposed the economic embargo on Cuba. A significant focus was on reforming the international system, with calls for a more representative and inclusive United Nations and a fairer global financial architecture. Small island developing states like Dominica advocated for greater access to concessional financing and debt relief. The summit also emphasized climate resilience and the energy transition, with Dominica showcasing its leadership in geothermal development and climate resilience. Regional cooperation to address environmental challenges like sargassum was also discussed, aiming to turn these challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. The meeting underscored the solidarity between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

The Electoral Commission of the Commonwealth of Dominica has announced a temporary suspension of voter registration activities, effective immediately. This pause follows the enactment of the Registration of Electors Act in March 2025, which rendered the previous registration framework obsolete. The Commission is now focused on developing and implementing a new, fully compliant system to modernize the electoral process. Key steps include designing updated registration forms, training registration officers, and transitioning to an electronic registration platform. To facilitate this transition, the Commission has partnered with Consortium, SEMLEX International / Genkey Solutions, tasked with building the new software. The team is diligently working to ensure the system meets all legal requirements and functions effectively. The Commission acknowledges the urgency of resuming voter registration and is collaborating closely with the consortium to expedite the process. A progress update is scheduled for December 2025, where the public will be informed of developments and the anticipated timeline for resuming registration. The Commission has expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and understanding as these critical enhancements are made to ensure a secure, efficient, and transparent electoral process.