Gregor Nassief's recent letter calling for a "reset" of Dominica's Electoral Commission has generated considerable discussion across the country. However, before Dominicans accept his conclusions, several important questions deserve to be asked.
For over a year, the voter confirmation and registration process has been taking place openly and publicly. Registration centers have been established, public notices have been issued, and citizens have repeatedly been informed of the locations, requirements, and deadlines. The process has not been hidden from anyone.
The reality is that many citizens who traditionally supported opposition parties have become increasingly frustrated with the leadership and direction of those parties. Across communities, there is growing political apathy among opposition supporters, many of whom simply have not participated in the confirmation and registration process despite having ample opportunity to do so.
The registration and confirmation exercise was designed to run over an extended period, giving eligible voters sufficient time to comply. Citizens who wished to confirm their status have had numerous opportunities to do so.
This raises an important question: Is the call for a "reset" truly about electoral reform, or is it about concerns over what the emerging voter list may reveal?
Mr. Nassief has become one of the most outspoken critics of the current process and is increasingly viewed by many as being politically aligned with the United Workers Party. If opposition supporters have not been turning out in significant numbers to confirm and register, then any resulting disadvantage would be the consequence of their own inaction, not the fault of the Electoral Commission.
Many Dominicans are therefore asking whether the demand for a reset is being driven by concerns that the opposition is not adequately prepared for the next general election.
A democratic system cannot be expected to restart every time one political side becomes concerned about its electoral prospects. The responsibility to mobilize supporters, encourage registration, and participate in the democratic process belongs to political parties themselves.
If there are genuine legal or constitutional concerns, those issues should be addressed through the appropriate institutions. However, broad allegations against the Electoral Commission should be supported by evidence rather than speculation.
The focus now should be on encouraging every eligible Dominican to confirm their registration, participate in the democratic process, and ensure that the next election reflects the will of the people.
Democracy is strengthened not by repeated resets, but by participation.
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