Dominica Roundup: ID rule backlash, voter confirmation progress, civil liberty erosion

Fontaine slams ID rule change, demands birth certificates accepted

Dr. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the United Workers’ Party (UWP), has sharply criticised a new rule (SRO-39) that requires government-issued ID, like passports or driver’s licences, for voter confirmation. He argues that removing birth certificates from the list unfairly disenfranchises poorer citizens who can’t afford those IDs. Fontaine claims this undermines democracy and called on authorities to reverse the change.

Electoral chief says confirmation drive is running smoothly

Chief Election Officer Anthea Joseph reports that over 4,000 people have already applied for voter confirmation since the process began on 15 October 2025. She acknowledges minor issues, like dress code for photo-ID submission, but says overall feedback has been positive and parts of the system feel “very transparent.”

Voter registration temporarily suspended amid system overhaul

The Electoral Commission has announced a pause in new voter registrations while it builds a modern, electronic registration system. They’ve hired a consortium (SEMLEX / Genkey) to develop the software, train officers, and ensure compliance with the new Registration of Electors Act. A public update is scheduled for December 2025, when the resumption timeline should be clearer.

Opposition warns of civil liberty erosion over voter confirmation rules

Bernard Hurtault, leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, warns that the stricter ID requirements and the confirmation process disproportionately affect low-income and elderly voters, posing a threat to civil rights. He also raised concerns about confirmation centres allegedly being staffed by government supporters, challenging the impartiality of the Electoral Commission. Hurtault urged citizens not to be discouraged and called for continued pressure to ensure fairness.

Ocean Oasis Hotel opening hailed as CBI programme triumph

Government officials, led by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, celebrated the opening of the Ocean Oasis Hotel in Castle Comfort as proof that the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme is driving real economic development. The 37-room waterfront hotel is expected to create jobs and boost tourism, and Skerrit framed it as a concrete outcome of CBI funds being used for national growth.