Protests erupt in Dominica's Capital, Roseau, over electoral reform bills.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors who gathered in Dominica’s capital, Roseau, on Wednesday, as Parliament began debating electoral reform legislation.
Citizens were responding to a call from Opposition Leader Dr Thomson Fontaine to demand electoral reform. The political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), had urged Dominicans to “turn out in large numbers today at the Parliament building in Roseau to demand electoral reform, one that the people of Dominica have asked for”.
His statement came during a press conference organised by the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) on Tuesday.
The government presented the Electoral Commission Bill 2024, House of Assembly Elections Bill 2024, and Registration of Electors Bill 2024 for their second and third readings in Parliament on Wednesday.
However, the ERC has strongly opposed the move, arguing that any electoral reform must include key provisions such as campaign finance regulations, biometric voter ID cards for voting purposes, and a re-registration process.
Demonstrators gathered near the Parliament building as the bills were being debated. They chanted slogans and called for more comprehensive electoral changes.
However, tensions escalated as stones were thrown at police officers, fights broke out, and tear gas and rubber bullets were fired at the protestors.
The government has defended the proposed bills, arguing that they will strengthen the electoral process. However, opposition leaders and activists remain firm in their stance that further measures are necessary to ensure free and fair elections.
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