Use of indelible ink in General Elections under consideration : Severin McKenzie

Upcoming parliamentary elections of Dominica are due by 2020; to avert voters from voting twice use of indelible ink is under consideration. President of Dominica Business Forum, Severin McKenzie and member of the group of church, business, and civil society leaders say the group will be focusing on using indelible ink for upcoming general elections. McKenzie made this remark on Hot seat on Q95FM during a panel discussion on electoral reform.

He said. “ This time we are focusing on the use of indelible ink for general elections because this is the only mechanism that can prevent a voter from voting twice, but the matter is still under consideration.”

“We will be focusing on practicalities of the cleansing of voters list and issuance of voter ID cards. To discuss this matter we are asking the general public to come up and have interaction over the subject,” he added.

McKenzie emphasized that the main motive to use indelible ink is to ensure that the general elections which are due by 2020 are conducted free and fair. He also stressed that conducting equitable elections is the responsibility of electoral reform and it is squarely in hands of the Electoral Commission.

He stressed over the fact saying that, “ we want to let the Dominican public know that the whole process of organizing and preparing for general elections is not in the hands of Prime Minister, it rests in the hands of Electoral Commission of country.”

“The government is not responsible for implementing electoral reforms, it is Electoral Commission that has the responsibility and we have to recognize that. “ he insisted.

After the radio discussion, a meeting was held on Tuesday evening at Dominica Public Service Union building where Attorney General Levi Peter, Electoral Commission Gerald Burton and a member of group participated to discuss the same subject.