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Opposition to challenge Dominica's poll results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was sworn in to a five-year term Monday, following his labour party's election victory on Thursday. But the opposition United Workers Party said it would file legal challenges to results in three constituencies as hundreds of its supporters protested the results. The Labour Party won 12 of 21 seats in parliament, the UWP eight seats and an independent candidate, a close ally of the governing party, one. "I am committed to ensuring that everyone will have a decent job and a decent standard of living," Mr. Skerrit said after taking the oath of office. "I will continue to represent the people of Dominica with the highest sense of integrity and honesty as we seek to bring prosperity to Dominica," he said. UWP leader Edison James however told BBC Caribbean Radio that the party was in the process of challenging the results in court. He cited "several irregularities," including claims that a UWP representative was ejected from one polling station, and that ruling party officials actively canvassed for votes outside of stations. Preliminary The UWP is particularly incensed by the outcome of the contest in the east coast Castle Bruce constituency where the party's candidate lost by one vote after a recount. An earlier preliminary count gave the UWP candidate a 22-vote lead.
Opposition supporters, responding to calls to protest by Mr. James, turned out for a noisy demonstration in front of Government Headquarters in Roseau. They carried placards and shouted anti-government slogans. One placard read "Stolen Elections", while another proclaimed "We Need Election Now". About 60,000 people are registered to vote in the country of 70,000, a situation that critics have said could open the door for electoral fraud. Mr. Skerrit, however, insisted the elections were clean. We "are satisfied that (the people) received a government of their choice," he said. He was backed up by chief Elections Officer Merina Williams.She said the opposition had not formally made its concerns known to the electoral office. Cabinet Apart from the prime minister, one other cabinet minister was sworn in Monday - new attorney General Ian Douglas. He is a nephew of former Prime Minister Rosie Douglas. The rest of the Cabinet will be sworn in on Thursday. |
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