New UWP Executive calls on President Charles A Savarin to suspend his election writ, and postpone the sham December 6th general election until the electoral & campaign finance reforms are implemented

The new United Workers Party (UWP) Executive is calling on President Charles A Savarin to suspend his election writ, and postpone the sham December 6th general election until the electoral and campaign finance reform process is completed and the new laws are implemented.The new executive comprises:
 
1. Dr. Thomson Fontaine POLITICAL LEADER
2. Hon. Senator Clement Marcellin DEPUTY POLITICAL LEADER
3. Hon Lennox Linton- President
4. Sen Francisca Joseph – Vice President
5 Mr. Nicholas George GENERAL SEDRETARY
6 Ms. Diane Victor ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
7 Mr Ezekiel Bazil TREASURER
8 Mr. Kent Joseph ASSISTANT TREASURER
9 Ms. Tehillah Saphie Bannis PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
10 Dr. Mac Donald Thomas INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
11 Mon Edison James TRUSTEE
12 Hon. Norris Prevost TRUSTEE
13 Sen. Ernie Lawrence Jno. Finn TRUSTEE
 
The statement reads: As we continue to grow and strengthen our organization, we implore all stakeholders to joinus in our quest to develop our Nature Isle. We welcome the opportunity to speak directly tothe Dominican public on a few key issues of National importance one of which is electoralreform.Permit me to begin by empathizing with the people of the entire South East who are stillreeling under the effects of the recent trough. To the family of Mr. Henson Durand I expressspecial sympathies to you. May God continue to strengthen you and Dominica by extensionas we seek to recover from this ordeal. Unfortunately, this situation is being compounded bythe continuing neglect, stalled roadworks, and the destruction of the natural environment inthe area by the government of Dominica.
 
Concerning the all-important matter of Electoral Reform we continue to hold firm to the viewthat this process, which has been started must be completed before the holding of Generalelections in Dominica. To the members of the United Workers Party and the overwhelmingnumber of Dominicans, resolving the issue of Electoral Reform is non-negotiable. After all,rectifying issues of a bloated voters list and the non-issuance of identification cards are at theheart of our democratic system.
 
We note that Sir Dennis Byron who was appointed by thegovernment of Dominica to review our electoral process has completed his initial work andwill shortly be providing us and the government of Dominica with his draft report and a copyof the supporting draft legislation. We continue to urge the government of Dominica tourgently implement the required reforms and commit to the holding of fresh elections as soonas the process is complete.
 
The announcement of the “sham” December 6 election, more than 30 months beforeelections were constitutionally due and without promised electoral reforms, was the mainreason why our Party decided to withdraw its participation from the polls. In that regard, wecall upon the election observers coming in from the Commonwealth Secretariat and theOrganization of American States to take careful note of the vexing circumstances under whichthis snap election is being conducted. An election process that is so deeply flawed, andweighted in favour of the ruling party should never be considered as being either free or fair.
 
Based on the current threat to our democracy, the United Workers Party again calls on HisExcellency the President to exercise his executive authority granted under Article 58 of ourcountry’s Constitution, to suspend his election writ, and postpone the holding of electionsuntil such a time that the electoral reform process is complete. Furthermore, we call uponthe regional governments, and the international community to denounce the holding of thiselection and also not to recognize whichever government that emerges out of this process.At this point let me assure the people of Dominica that the UWP is doing everything within itslegal and constitutional rights to ensure that electoral reforms are completed. Read More at www.q95da.com
 
Another important matter that we wish to draw to the attention of the public is the fact thatno less than eight (8) members of the UWP have since 2017, been brought before the courtsby this government on various charges including incitement and treason, at tremendousfinancial and other costs to the Dominican public. These members are: Trustee and FoundingMember Mr. Edison James, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Lennox Linton, Hon. Hector Johnformer MP for the Salisbury Constituency, Hon. Danny Lugay former MP for the Roseau NorthConstituency, Mr. Nicholas George, UWP General Secretary, Dr. Sam Christian UWP candidatein the 2019 election, Mr. Brian Linton, and myself Dr. Thomson Fontaine Political Leader ofthe United Workers Party. We view these charges as been largely frivolous and meant toeither intimidate or stifle the legitimate opposition.
 
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has encouraged his followers to “throw hot water” onmembers of the opposition, Minister Reginald Austrie has called, to use his words, “disappearthe opposition,” while labour party operative Lennox Lawrence has called for the huntingdown of the opposition like terrorists. The fact remains that absolutely no action has beentaken against those who continue to incite violence against the opposition.
 
I now therefore call on this government and the police authorities to immediately withdrawthese bogus charges against all eight opposition members and allow us to go about our lives,and doing the work of the people of Dominica freely.Let me now turn your attention to the areas that our Party, following our delegates’conference, will be focused on in the coming weeks. As a priority we will immediately beginstrengthening, renewing and expanding our Party’s base. We will explore new ways to assistin the welfare of our residents and actively engage with the diaspora as we seek to build andexpand.Finally, the United Workers Party is calling on all Dominicans to join us on Sunday 11thDecember from 3:00 P.M in a nation-wide solidarity rally to hear of the Party’s plans for thisour beautiful country.
 
As we embark on this new era in our political history, let me assure the Dominican Public thatthe United Workers Party remains committed to good governance and to promoting animproved standard of living for our people. We continue to urge the people of Dominica todemand good and accountable government and insist that this government completes theelectoral reform as quickly as possible.
 
As I close, I wish to note that our Party continues to work with the Electoral Reform Coalition,which is comprised of opposition parties, civil society organizations, and the Public ServiceUnion. As part of this effort for electoral reforms we will be engaged in a number ofactivities to strengthen our demand for electoral reforms. On Wednesday there will be atownhall meeting at the PSU building, Saturday a drive thru on the West Coast, Sunday aNational Day of prayer and on Monday a massive public meeting and candle light vigil inRoseau. We solicit your support as we commit ourselves to nation building and the
restoration of our democracy.