by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Hon. Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Vince Henderson
The Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vince Henderson, in an interview with GIS News on Tuesday, 8th December, 2009 has confirmed the presence of international observers for the December 18, 2009 General Elections. The Minister said that teams from the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the CARICOM Secretariat will be in Dominica shortly to monitor the 2009 General Elections.
“Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit announced the date of General Elections on November 19. On November 20, he wrote to both the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the CARICOM Secretariat inviting observers to observe the General Elections on December 18, 2009. To date, we have received responses from both organisations indicating their interest in having missions deployed to Dominica to observe the General Elections. So far, we have also received specific information from the OAS indicating that there will be a team of twelve (12) members coming to observe the General Elections. One member who is the leader of the team will be arriving on December 15."
The Minister explained that the observers will be taking stock of the procedures involved during the campaign, in the polls on the actual election day in regards to what is happening at the polling stations, at the level of the electoral office and to ensure that there is nothing that prevents any Dominica here or those overseas coming in to vote from exercising their freedom of franchise to vote. He further stated that it will also ensure that there is no unfair advantage given to the Government. On polling day, the observers will also be making their own observations so as to satisfy themselves that the elections were conducted properly.
Dominicans go to the poll when it opens at 7 A.M. on the morning of Friday, December 18, 2009.
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