For too long, our government has stood on platforms and promised the Dominican people living abroad that their voices would one day be heard at the ballot box. They have made speeches, formed committees, and held talks, yet year after year, nothing has changed. Our brothers and sisters overseas continue to be sidelined, even as they contribute to this nation in countless ways.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) says: Enough with the empty promises. It is time for action!
We will lead the charge to modernize Dominica’s democracy by creating a dedicated seat in Parliament for the diaspora and amending our electoral laws to give Dominicans in the diaspora the right to vote in national elections. Because your love for our country does not end when you step onto a plane. This one seat in Parliament will give Dominicans abroad real representation, but we are also committed to ensuring local elections remain in the hands of residents, not influenced by those living overseas.
Why Diaspora Voting Is Critical For Dominica’s Future.
Dominica’s greatest resource has always been its people, both those at home and those abroad. Our diaspora communities, spread across the Caribbean, Canada, America, Europe, and beyond, play an essential role in the life of our nation:
Despite this, they remain locked out of the most fundamental part of building the nation, the right to vote. This outdated system silences hundreds of thousands of Dominicans who still have a stake in our future.
It is unjust, undemocratic, and harmful to our development. No modern democracy can afford to exclude its global citizens, especially when they are such a vital part of the country’s social and economic fabric.
Our Plan For Diaspora Voting Reform.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) commits to introducing legislation within the first year of taking office that will:
- Guaranteeing Voting Rights for Dominicans Abroad: Amend the electoral laws to guarantee the right to vote for Dominicans living abroad, based on clear eligibility criteria.
- A Dedicated Parliamentary Seat for the Diaspora: Create a dedicated Parliamentary seat for the diaspora, where overseas Dominicans will be able to elect one representative to voice their concerns in Parliament. This seat will not give the diaspora voting power in constituency elections or the ability to vote for the Prime Minister.
- Secure and Transparent Voting Systems: Develop secure, transparent systems for diaspora voting, utilizing embassies, consulates, secure online platforms, ensuring accessibility without compromising election integrity.
- Reliable Voter Registration Abroad: Create a reliable voter registration process for Dominicans abroad, allowing proper verification and accountability.
- Engaging Global Dominican Communities: Engage with global Dominican communities, ensuring their input helps shape a system that works for them and Dominica.
- Protecting Election Integrity: Safeguard the fairness of elections, with strict protections against fraud, abuse, or manipulation.
The Benefits For Dominica.
This is more than just a legal change; it is a catalyst for progress:
- Greater inclusion strengthens our democracy: When more voices are heard, our nation makes better, fairer decisions.
- Stronger ties with our diaspora: Giving them a real say deepens their connection to Dominica and encourages further investment.
- Harnessing global experience: Our people abroad bring skills, ideas, and perspectives that can help solve local challenges.
- Building national unity: No matter where you live, Dominica is home, and every Dominican should feel included in shaping its future.
How It Will Work: A Practical, Fair Solution For Diaspora Voting And Local Representation.
1. A Single, Dedicated Seat in Parliament for the Diaspora:
The central element of this reform is the creation of a single, dedicated Parliamentary seat for Dominicans living abroad. Here’s how this seat will function:
- Representation for the Diaspora: The diaspora will elect one representative who will serve in Parliament and advocate on behalf of Dominicans living overseas.
- A Focused Voice: This representative will focus solely on being the voice for and addressing the issues important to the diaspora, including investments, cultural ties, and policies related to the needs of overseas citizens.
- Elected Only by the Diaspora: Only Dominicans living abroad will have the right to vote for this representative. This ensures that the seat is exclusively for those who are part of the diaspora, giving them direct and meaningful representation without altering the local political landscape.
2. Clear Limits on Voting Power:
To protect the integrity of local elections and avoid any distortion of community priorities, the diaspora will not be able to vote in the following areas:
- Local Constituency Elections: Overseas Dominicans will not vote in elections that determine who represents specific villages, or cities within Dominica. Local issues, such as education, healthcare, and public infrastructure will be decided by those who actually live in the community.
- Choosing the Prime Minister: Diaspora voters will not have a say in who becomes the Prime Minister of Dominica. This ensures that the country’s head of government is chosen by those who are directly impacted by domestic policy decisions.
This approach guarantees that local communities retain control over their own governance, while the diaspora remains involved in the national conversation through their dedicated seat in Parliament.
3. How Voting Will Work for the Diaspora:
The system will be designed to make diaspora voting easy, secure, and transparent for Dominicans abroad. Here’s how the voting process will unfold:
- Eligibility Criteria: Dominicans living abroad will be eligible to vote for the diaspora representative if they meet basic residency requirements (such as having citizenship or permanent residency status) and are in good standing with Dominica’s voting laws.
- Secure Voting Platforms: The NEW Domimica Reform Party (DRP) will develop a secure, transparent voting system that includes:
- Embassies and Consulates: Overseas voting will be facilitated through Dominica’s embassies and consulates, ensuring access for those in every country.
- Online Voting: For added convenience and reach, an online platform will be created where diaspora Dominicans can register and vote securely.
- Voter Registration: A global voter registry will be independently established, allowing clear verification of eligible voters. This process will ensure that only eligible, verified Dominicans abroad can vote.
4. A Global Voice with Local Protection:
This reform strikes the perfect balance between giving Dominicans abroad a voice and ensuring local representation remains intact. Here’s how the reform will benefit everyone:
- Protecting Local Democracy: By ensuring local votes are decided by those who live in the community, we protect the core of our democracy. Decisions that affect roads, schools, healthcare, and public services will continue to be made by those who experience these issues firsthand.
- Greater Inclusion for the Diaspora: At the same time, Dominicans abroad will have their own dedicated representative who will work in Parliament to advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit them. This will help strengthen ties between Dominica and its global citizens, leading to more investment and cultural exchange.
- A Fairer, More Transparent Process: By limiting the diaspora’s influence to a single, focused seat, we avoid the conflicts and confusion seen in countries where the diaspora can vote for the Prime Minister or in local elections. Our system allows us to respect the priorities of local communities while still honoring the contributions of our people abroad.
5. Residency Requirements for Voting in Local Elections
To protect the integrity of Dominica’s local elections and ensure that they reflect the true interests of the people who live here, the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) will implement strict residency requirements for those wishing to vote in local constituency elections (such as electing village or city representatives).
- One Continuous Year Of Residency: To be eligible to vote in local elections, a voter must have lived in Dominica for at least one continuous year. This means the individual must have been a resident of Dominica without interruption for one full year before the election.
- No More Than One Month Away: During this one-year period, a voter must not have been absent from Dominica for more than 30 days..
- Why This Matters: This rule is designed to ensure that only those who live in Dominica full-timeand experience the local challenges and realities, can vote on issues that affect their communities, like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and safety. It prevents people from skirting the system by temporarily returning to Dominica just to vote, ensuring that local elections are decided by those who are truly living and contributing to the community.
Enforcement of Residency Requirements - Immigration and The Electoral Commission: will track and verify voter residency, ensuring that all voters meet the continuous one-year residency requirement.
- Anyone Who Violates This Rule: such as returning for just a short period to vote, will be disqualified from voting in the election.
- In addition to disqualification, individuals who attempt to circumvent the residency requirements by returning briefly before an election will face a substantial fine and/or jail, as determined by the Electoral Commission. This will serve as a deterrent and enforce the fairness of the electoral process.
- Ensuring Local Elections Are For Locals: This rule guarantees that local elections remain in the hands of those who actually live in Dominica, ensuring that local decisions are made by residents who are most impacted by the outcome.
- Diaspora Voters Will Still Be Able To Vote: for the Diaspora Representative in Parliament, but they will not have a say in local governance or the Prime Minister..
A New Era For Foreign Investment In Dominica.
Dominica has incredible potential, but for too long, political instability and scandals have made investors hesitant to commit to our nation. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is ready to change that. We are the new kids on the block, a government determined to demonstrate to the world that Dominica is no longer mired in controversy, we are ready for transparency, stability, and growth.
We are committed to actively courting foreign investors, from global banks to accredited educational institutions, large-scale development projects, and sustainable industries. Investors will see a country with clean governance, clear policies, and a commitment to accountability.
This is not just about attracting money; it is about restoring confidence in Dominica as a destination where projects can thrive, jobs can be created, and economic growth can be sustained. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) will signal to the international community that Dominica is ready to operate as a modern, professional, and reliable partner.
By showing that the old regime is gone and that a new government is firmly in place, we create a climate where investors feel secure. They will see a nation ready to grow again, where public institutions are trusted, local communities are respected, and policies encourage both domestic and international investment.
Dominica can no longer afford to wait. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is ready to bring normalcy back, restore faith in our institutions, and position our country as a top choice for foreign investment. A stronger economy, more jobs, and sustainable development are within reach—but only if we show the world that Dominica is back on track.
A Reform Long Overdue.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is offering something that should have been in place decades ago: a system that ensures fair, transparent, and accountable elections, where the voices of local communities are respected, and the diaspora has a meaningful platform without distorting local governance.
Yet for years, governments have chosen not to act. Why? Because the current system benefits them, allowing power to be influenced by those who do not live in the communities they govern. And the opposition parties? They remain silent, hoping that one day they, too, will exploit this same broken system for their own gain.
We are different. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is the only party offering real election reform, a system that stops the chaos and confusion that has plagued our elections for too long. We are the only party willing to implement a reform that could cost us power once in office, because we care more about Dominica than our own positions.
We are confident in our Path Forward, because our policies are strictly for the nation, not ourselves. We know that the system we build will make everyone happier, better off, and allow Dominicans to finally recognize true leadership in election reform.
We challenge anyone to disprove that this is a great way to start election reform, a solution that brings fairness and accountability to all.
This is about rebuilding Dominica fairly, transparently, and with a vision that works for all Dominicans, at home and abroad. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is ready. The question is: are you ready to reclaim your democracy?