The Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), is encouraging ‘peaceful elections’ in Dominica today.
A statement from the Commonwealth said that since the Group arrived in Dominica, there have been protests, incidents of civil unrest and threats of violence.
The Chairperson of the COG, Zainab Bangura – a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and former Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations – said: “over the last couple of days, since we arrived on the ground, we have been able to meet different stakeholders on both sides of the political spectrum”.
“It is extremely important that this election be conducted under the environment of tranquillity, of peace, to be able to make sure the people of Dominica can continue the process of rebuilding their country in a very peaceful and democratic manner.”
The statement said that the Commonwealth Group made its request for peaceful, fair and transparent elections after meeting with stakeholders in the upcoming elections, including the country’s President, Charles Savarin, its Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, the Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton, the Chief of Police and representatives of the Electoral Commission and civil society.
Members of the COG will be deployed today around the country to observe the voting process and the post-election day environment.
