The rollout of voter identification cards in Dominica is expected to begin before the end of July.
This is according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who says the move represents another major step in the country’s electoral reform process.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Skerrit said the government has moved from passing electoral reform legislation to implementing the required actions.
This comes in the face of ongoing public criticism from Secret Bay owner Gregor Nassief and, more recently, the Dominica Business Forum, regarding the potency of the Electoral Reform Commission to effectively oversee the implementation of the reform measures.
However, Skerrit contends that the process is moving along.
“After years of consultation with political parties, civil society, regional and international experts and other stakeholders parliament unanimously enacted legislation to modernize our electoral system” he said. “We have now moved from legislation to implementation [and] I am advised that the issuance of voter identification cards is expected to begin by the end of this month, marking another important milestone.”
The Prime Minister said the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) has been encouraging its supporters to take part in the voter confirmation process, stressing that safeguarding the country’s democratic system is a collective responsibility.
According to Skerrit, the effort should extend beyond political organizations. He called on all political parties, civic groups and community organizations to encourage eligible citizens to complete the confirmation process.
“I therefore take this opportunity again to encourage every eligible Dominican who has not yet completed the confirmation process to do so without delay,” he said. “And I believe that is a duty and a responsibility of every one of us to do.”
Skerrit also argued that any actions taken outside of participating in the electoral reform process would not contribute to strengthening democracy in Dominica.
“Because these reforms [were] introduced to strengthen our democracy,” he emphasized.
