PM Skerrit promises only "virtual campaign" as he declares Grand Bay by-election date

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit on Thursday declared the by-election to fill the vacant seat of Grand Bay constituency.

Friday, 29th October 2021

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit during special address on Thursday 28 October 2021.

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit on Thursday declared the by-election to fill the vacant seat of Grand Bay constituency. The elections will be held on November 25 2021, while candidates can file their nominations on November 9 2021. PM Skerrit said he advised President Charles Savarin to issue the writ under the public seal, declaring by-elections. "It is pursuant to section 12 of the House of Assembly Act, Chapter 201," said PM Skerrit. He added that the elections are due three months after Edward Registe, the parliamentarian from the Grand Bay constituency, passed away on September 1, 2021. "Section 55 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica provides when a seat of a representative falls vacant, by reason or dissolution of the house, a re-election must be held to fill the vacant seat within three months of the occurrence unless the house is sooner dissolved." Furthermore, he said Dominica Labour Party would be opting for virtual election campaigning. All events will be done via live streamings and Zoom meetings to ensure the safety protocols due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. He said DLP is taking examples from other elections campaigns held in sister nations. "In the interest of safety, we will engage in non-traditional modes of campaigning to include meetings streamed by online platforms, radio, television and more targeted interactions via meeting platforms such as Zoom," said PM Skerrit. He said all election-related activities would be conducted responsibly, within the safety guidelines established by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment. Skerrit wished for safe and peaceful elections campaigning for the next three weeks, and asked people to adhere to health guidelines. Dominica Labour Party (DLP) has nominated Vince Henderson to represent the Grandy Bay constituency. Henderson is Dominica's permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) and ambassador to the United States of America. He was also the Foreign Minister in 2008 but later refused to contest elections in 2009.