New six members council elected of Kalinago Territory in Dominica

Days after the Kalinago territory choose its new chief, the elections again took pace to elect a new six-member council to look over the development in the area. The elections took place on Wednesday, August 14.

A total number of 12 candidates were in the fray for council elections from the indigenous community and six have been elected as the councillors. Notably, the nomination process took place on July 25, 2019.

The candidates who were elected by Kalinago people:

·      Debra Phillip

·      Janet William

·      Alexander Burton

·      Marion Valmond

·      Gabriel Thomas

·      Ralph John

According to the statistics, the ratio between men and women remained equal in the elections as out six 3 representatives are men and other 3 women. The vote share is accounted as Debra Phillip (231), Janet William (189), Alexander Burton (181), Marion Valmond (175), Gabriel Thomas (155) and Ralph John (138).

However, the losing candidates folded up at Patrick Hill (122), Jenner Lucien (122), Reny Auguiste (92), Hilarion Valmond (91), Lindo Frederick (73) and Christabel Auguiste (58).

Similarly, the voter turnout for the Kalinago council election was recorded to be extremely low in numbers. According to Assistant Registering Officer, Catherine Auguiste out of total 2,151 voters in the Kalinago Territory only 399 turned out for polling.

It is important to mention that recently, Lorenzo Sanford was elected as Kalinago chief to lead the governance of the affairs of the Kalinago Territory for the upcoming five years as their representative on July 22. The election for Kalinago chief was also very close as Lorenzo made below average victory as he made a close win with only 3 votes margin.

Moreover, the former councillors who were contesting in the council elections failed to retain their position in the council, which included Christabel Auguiste, Reny Auguiste and Patrick Hill.

The responsibilities of these six councillors will be to assist Chief Sanford in decision making and in the implementation of development plans on behalf of the indigenous people of Kalinago territory. Sanford will be accounted as the chairman of the council on its enactment.