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PM Skerrit declared victor in heated Dominican polls

-Wife Melissa Skerrit gains seat lost from Opposition UWP
Following weeks of political unrest, Dominica has re-elected its incumbent Prime Minister, Mr Roosevelt Skerrit and secured a landslide victory for the governing Dominica Labour Party (DLP). Photo: Internet Source
Held under heightened security, residents cast their ballots amidst protests and street unrest in addition to legal challenges seeking electoral reform from the main opposition party. Photo: Loop Caribbean
Held under heightened security, residents cast their ballots amidst protests and street unrest in addition to legal challenges seeking electoral reform from the main opposition party. Photo: Loop Caribbean
As part of the Landslide victory for the DLP, the opposition United Workers’ Party lost three of its previous six seats, one of those was won by Melissa Skerrit, the Prime Minister’s wife. Photo: Youtube
As part of the Landslide victory for the DLP, the opposition United Workers’ Party lost three of its previous six seats, one of those was won by Melissa Skerrit, the Prime Minister’s wife. Photo: Youtube
ROSEAU, Dominica - Following weeks of political unrest, Dominica has re-elected its incumbent Prime Minister, Mr Roosevelt Skerrit and secured a landslide victory for the governing Dominica Labour Party (DLP).

Dominicans on Friday, December 6, 2019, cast ballots for a new Parliament and even before then, early returns indicated that the DLP would walk away undefeated. 

Landslide Victory 

Held under heightened security, residents cast their ballots amidst protests and street unrest in addition to legal challenges seeking electoral reform from the main opposition party.

The pro­test­ers have been de­mand­ing elec­toral re­forms ahead of the polls, including a clean-up of the voters' list, the issuing of voter ID cards and blocking Dominicans living abroad from voting.

Earlier this week, efforts by the UWP to have the elec­tions de­layed un­til Feb­ru­ary 5, 2020 were thrown out by the court and local media further reported that armed forces where brought in from neighbouring islands to maintain the peace in the country of about 75,000 people.

Day of Peace Designated 

As part of the Landslide victory for the DLP, the opposition United Workers’ Party lost three of its previous six seats, one of those was won by Melissa Skerrit, the Prime Minister’s wife.

In an address to the nation on Friday night, PM Skerrit said the country needs to heal following the heated election campaign which saw protests across the country.

Calling for a more responsible Opposition he said, "The elections are over. The UWP failed to delay or stop elections through legal means. They failed to provoke our security services, they failed in getting the country to take up the call for widespread violence and unrest and they have failed at the ballot box."

PM Skerette has since declared Sunday, December 8, 2019, as a Day of Peace for the nation. 

24 Responses to “PM Skerrit declared victor in heated Dominican polls”

  • jah (07/12/2019, 01:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pls stick with ppl they no ! Sometimes in life you replace genuine gold for fake diamond. These are life lessons.
  • ccc (07/12/2019, 05:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • Land of water (07/12/2019, 09:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a landslide smh
  • Disinterested (07/12/2019, 10:25) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dominicans have spoken democratically at the ballot box. Congrats to PM Skeritt! Sunday is a dedicated day of healing and the nation needs to heal. But healing is not a one day affair; it is a long-term process, not a one day project. The healing must include addressing the opposition’s reasonable call for electoral reform: identification cards, revamping voter rolls, reviewing Dominicans living overseas participation in the electoral process. DLP took 18 of 21 seats; this was a shellacking, a royal cut ass. Nonetheless, IMO loop sided governments are not as effective as those with a strong position. Where is Dominica heading?

    Dominica attained its independence from the UK on 01 Nov 1981 but a friend of mine’s quipped once that if Columbus, the privateer, returns today, one of the only islands he would recognize is Dominica. The reality is that Dominica's growth and development has stagnated in all areas relative to other regional countries. A handful of people are doing well but for the average Dominican every day is a hustle for survival. What is the Dominican economy.

    It really does not have any strong economic pillars. There are no strong manufacturing, tourism, agricultural....etc. Agriculture should be it's strong suit but it is severely undeveloped. Government is the major employer but role of government is not being a major employer. Remittances are also a major contributor to the economy. Further, selling economic passports is short-term and problematic in the future. Here is a news flash. You can only tax the masses so much; you can not get blood out of stone.

    Elections have consequences. There must be more to elections than winning. The lives of people must be improved, positive legacies built.......etc. PM Skerrit is entering his 4th 5 year term. And his mandate is to improve health, education, economy, infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, water, sewage), transportation, social services, sports and recreation, agriculture, tourism....etc. He must improve Dominicans quality of life, standard of living and per capita income.

    • Dominican (07/12/2019, 19:10) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      For your information, Dominica received independence from the UK NOVEMBER 3 1978.
      And on your statement about Christopher Columbus, what exactly is it about your country that makes you think he would have a hard recognizing it?
      Plz when you get a chance look up the word bloviating.
      • @dominican (08/12/2019, 00:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You should read to understand and understand to read. Its a fact Dominica is of the few undeveloped countries in the Caribbean, hence Christopher Columbus will recognize without a doubt as no significant strides were made. Thank you for correcting the date of Dominica's independence, but using big words like Bloviating doesnt make you smart it proves you're ignorant and arrogant. I agree with Disinterested with most points and if you cannot see the big picture you are your own misery. Read more, inform yourself, and most importantly quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.
        • Dominican (08/12/2019, 08:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Look like someone just touched one of your nerves. It's amazing what the truth can do. You are actually more primitive than you would like to admit. Have a good day.
      • Disinterested (08/12/2019, 08:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Dominican, thanks for the feedback, especially your setting me straight on the independence time of 03 November 1878 vice 01 November 1981. We may disagree on the issues but I’m sure that we can agree that Dominica(the place we love)should be farther along in its growth and development than it is. Dominica like other Small Islands Developing Staes (SIDS) has some disadvantages, ie, limited economic choices. Yes, Dominica has the sand, sea and sun like the other regional sister countries but lack the white sand beaches that the majority of visitors crave. Agriculture can be the economic strong suite. But it is poorly developed, disorganized and structured. A system approach should be applied to get goods from farm to market (internal and external). For example, let’s take citrus. Citrus should be managed for its 1)fruit, 2)juices, and 3)preservatives.

        The Caribbean region spend hundred of millions importing citrus and products every year; Dominica can tap into that market, putting its people to work. Keeping money local/regional has a multiplier effect on the economy. Though it does not have the craved white sand beaches, nature tourism is in its wheelhouse for the taking. Further, it has hydroelectric power that can be used to developed light manufacturing. Other areas that can be developed include poultry, call centers and other back office services. Dominica must effectively used/allocate its scarce resources with alternative uses for the good nation, lifting its standard of living and quality of life.

        “And on your statement about Christopher Columbus, what exactly is it about your country that makes you think he would have a hard recognizing it?“ lol. Know what assume means?(Ass-U-Me). Let’s ditch the cult mentality and demand more from and hold leaders accountable. And as @@doiminican says, ‘ if you cannot see the big picture you are your own misery.‘ The 0.5% doing well while the 95.5% living in misery and not too far from being poverty stricken. What does bloviating mean? I went to school under the breadfruit tree so I didn’t learn any big works. Let’s do the KISS thing, garçon. After 41 years independence, Dominica is still struggling to emerge from 3rd World status. That is two generations already. Garçon, it is way pass time for progress and not being viewed as the pit of the Caribbean and the butt of jokes. Way pass time for health, education, environmental, social services, economic diversification, road, water, sewage, drainage, gas, transportation (air, land, sea).......etc improvements. Every election Dominica get a whole lot of flowery language in a manifesto that always ends up making good book ends on a shelf. Leaders have historically over promised and under deliver. Let’s enlighten ourself; let life our heads from the feeding through and take a deep breath of fresh air. What will be the cry in 1924?
        • Dominican (08/12/2019, 08:53) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
          You just don't get it, do you? Dominica received independence from the UK NOVEMBER 3 1978. NOT 1981 OR 1878 like u stated in your comments. Just stop cause you don't know anything about Dominica.
          • Real Dominican (08/12/2019, 12:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
            @Dominican, it is people like you why Dominica is struggling to emerge from the 19th Century. Political patronage, freebs, dependency........etc have all you following these politicians blindly off the cliff and into a ravine. It is all you who does be telling politician what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. Any reasonable, practical and non-partisan person will earnestly look at Dominica an conclude that it is not at the leading edge of growth and development. Disasters aside, Dominica should have improved more. Does Dominica have a national development plan? What are the major industries or economic sectors? Arguing about when Dominica got independence 03 Nov 1878 or 03 Nov 1978 is not going to put food on the table for any Dominica residents. What will put food on the table is constructing and diversifying the economy to provide job opportunities, improve quality of life and standard of living ........etc. Disinterested can defend his/herself but the things noted are real talk and should be on government bucket list. Just wallow in the foolishness.
    • peace (08/12/2019, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      maybe one day when you move back to Dominica like i did 2 years ago you will speak different
      • @Peace (08/12/2019, 16:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Peace, tell us about the exciting and progressive actions occurring in Dominica, Nature Isle of the Caribbean. Let the light shine and share the good news. Dominicans want to come home; there is no place like home. The returnees rep in another regional country was begging people not to come home. Will not list the reasons here.
  • Just saying (07/12/2019, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    we have to get some politician wife to run here
  • nothing new under the sun (07/12/2019, 13:05) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Did those opposition supporters think rioting and destroying property would solve their problems?

    The people must lead and the government will follow. In practical terms there are genuine leaders in each community who can drive positive changes - without being elected. The people need to identify these grass roots leaders and support them.

    I did not get these thoughts from no d@mn European poet.
  • VIlander W/Dom Roots (07/12/2019, 13:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Disinterested, real talk. Life in Dominica, a supposed tropical paradise, is hard garcon. I back PM Skerrit but he is entering his 21st year in office and progress is razor thin at best. He needs to put that political science training to use. Dominica, the bread basket of the region, has the potential to be the lead country in the region. At this juncture, it is not 1st World. Were it not for migration(Canada, UK, US, BVI, USVI, Antigua) more people will be suffering hardship, surviving at or slightly above the poverty line. The economy is not meeting the needs of the masses.
    • Just thinking (07/12/2019, 18:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      So if things are so hard for the average Dominica why vote him back again? Why not try someone else? If you keep getting the same results from what you are doing does it not say you should try another method?
      • VIlander W/Dom Roots ( (07/12/2019, 22:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        True, if one or an entity does the same over and over and gets the sameness result, it is insanity. Again, I backed the DLP but it is getting re-elected not because it is effective but because the opposition is weak and indiscipline without a strong, progressive record. You don’t have to take my word for the condition on the ground in Dominica. If you outside of Dominica take a trip home Andre if you are in Dominica, you know the deal. Dominica’s GDP is approximately $600M (USD) and its per capita income is approximately $7000 (USD). Everyone love their country and that love must include calling a spade a spade. There are significant number of Dominica outside of Dominica for economic reasons.
      • Very Strange. (07/12/2019, 23:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        These results came in very quickly. One hour after poles closed. Counting by hand.. Hmmm.. These people that counting are fast like tightening... That kind of counting speed is very strange ..
  • Nebuckanaza (07/12/2019, 21:07) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    A set of ungrateful people who vote against Skeritt. The Labour party build roads, bridges, recover from a major hurricane and the country have new housing for citizens. 2 new 5 star hotels …. Plans to build a new airport. Progess moving forward. Labour safer.
    • Really (08/12/2019, 05:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Government responsibility is to provide the basic infrastructure for its citizens so the roads etc are their responsibilty. About the bridge the one built in Roseau a foreign company built it whereas there were Dominicans who could have built it and so let the millions remain with the people. The Marigot Hospital was demolished and the people in the area still does not have a hospital. God forbid some mishap should occur when a plane lands professional help has to be sought 32 miles in Roseau. The airport was promised 8 years ago, the Prime Minister said the same thing like he said now - still no airport. I really wish we had the airport I could travel from the US much easier and not stopping over in Antigua. Ralph Gonsalves told him Dominica does not need an international airport. St Vincent has their international airport.Also it would make it easier for persons to visit and stay in the 5 star Hotels.

      There is no economic activity taking place in Dominica- no jobs for the young people but thousand have been paid to come to Dominica for concert during the campaign. Is this really progress when you have persons in long lines going to the prime Minister to ask for assistance and in the end they feel obligated to him? This is what the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs employees are paid for to look at the affairs of persons who are in need - that should not be the job of the Prime Minister, but he uses it to intimidate and control you, and if he knows you are not supporting him' crapaud smoke your pipe'
      One of the biggest economic generator Ross University was taken from under us. Picard is now like a ghost town. At least when bananas was been sold, the money was small but the farmers got $100.00 every week to pay their phone and water bill. We have so much wasted land- so much rich fertile soil. It really annoys me when I see people say how good the country is doing under the Labour Party.

      I remember going to study and got financial assistance not by going to see a Minister. There was a system in place where you apply for assistance and a committee would sit and review your situation. All students studying at the time once they met the criteria got financial assistance - why should it be different now as to who you know .

      We can do better and I think a change was needed. Let us try someone else, if they are not better remove them. Things very difficult in Dominica for the average Dominican. Skerrit and his friends are doing good but the man on the street the average civil servant struggling.
  • Hmmmm (07/12/2019, 23:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I like change.. Especially when you doing the same thing with no good and positive results .. The people of Dominica don't see the need for change.. I thought a change try something different would happen or needed.. Then again we change here in the BVI. Seems like the change ain't working ..
  • Teacher (08/12/2019, 05:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I knew he would have steal the election
  • Garcon (08/12/2019, 10:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    @Disintetested, garcon. aller au prevail. Parle avec PM Skeritt.


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