Opposition Leader Lennox Linton says his United Workers Party (UWP) will contest Friday’s general election in Dominica even though they know it won’t be free and fair.
Speaking on a radio broadcast today, hours after Prime Minister Roosevelt addressed the nation and condemned protest action by UWP supporters, Linton said the people were disappointed their cries for election reforms had fallen on deaf ears.
Linton said they were demanding voter identification cards – something done in every developed nation in the world – and a clean voters’ lists, but these had been stymied by Skerrit in 2009, 2014 and again in 2019, and the people had had enough.
The Opposition Leader (left) said the Prime Minister refused to agree to the revisions, which would be possible under existing laws, but instead was insisting on new legislation. He said a free and fair election was a threat to Skerrit’s legacy. The latter is seeking a fourth and final successive term in office.
There have been roadblocks and protests in Salisbury and Marigot – which Linton represents – two UWP strongholds. He has refused to condemn the actions of the people.
“We in the UWP have decided we will contest the election even though we know that it is not a fair election, nor is it going to be a fair election. We know that,” Linton said.
He said the deck was stacked against them and charged thousands of people had been brought in to influence the vote.
A concerned group had petitioned the courts to delay tomorrow’s election, but the judge ruled the court could not do so. (SAT)
