1995 General Elections in Dominica
The 1995 General Elections in Dominica were held on June 12, 1995, to elect 21 members to the House of Assembly. The contest marked a historic political transition as the newly consolidated United Workers’ Party, led by Edison Chenfil James, ended 15 years of Dominica Freedom Party governance. Economic hardship, banana trade uncertainty, and calls for generational change dominated public discourse. The election attracted a voter turnout of 65.2%, the lowest since independence, reflecting political fatigue and widespread desire for policy renewal. The UWP won 11 seats, forming its first government, while the DFP and Dominica Labour Party each secured 5 seats.
Political Context of the 1995 General Elections in Dominica
The political atmosphere before the 1995 polls reflected growing frustration with long incumbency. Prime Minister Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, who had led Dominica since 1980, announced her retirement, leaving the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) under new leadership amid internal uncertainty. Her departure ended an era defined by integrity and discipline but also perceived stagnation.
The United Workers’ Party (UWP), established only five years earlier, capitalised on the moment. Its leader, Edison Chenfil James, presented a reformist vision focusing on agricultural revitalisation, employment generation, tourism investment, and infrastructural expansion. The Dominica Labour Party (DLP), still struggling to unify its factions, sought to rebuild its working-class appeal under the leadership of Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles.
The 1995 campaign became a contest between continuity and transformation, between the DFP’s reputation for governance stability and the UWP’s energetic promise of new development.
Participating Political Parties and Leaders
The 1995 elections were contested by three main parties and a handful of independents:
- United Workers’ Party (UWP) – Led by Edison James, offering a comprehensive development agenda titled “Work for All”, emphasising infrastructure, housing, and private sector growth.
- Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) – Now led by Brian Alleyne, campaigning on its record of good governance and foreign investment success, while defending its economic legacy under Eugenia Charles.
- Dominica Labour Party (DLP) – Led by Rosie Douglas, focusing on social justice, labour empowerment, and small-business support.
- Independents – Several independent candidates contested select constituencies but failed to make a national impact.
Each party leveraged radio debates and community meetings to rally support. The UWP’s messaging resonated most with younger and rural voters seeking tangible improvements after years of austerity.
Election Results Overview
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | ± |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Workers’ Party (UWP) | 12,777 | 34.36 | 11 | +5 |
| Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) | 13,317 | 35.81 | 5 | –6 |
| Dominica Labour Party (DLP) | 11,064 | 29.75 | 5 | +1 |
| Independents / Others | 530 | 1.43 | 0 | — |
| Total valid votes | 37,688 | 100.00 | 21 | |
| Registered voters / turnout | 57,054 / 65.18% |
The United Workers’ Party secured a narrow but decisive majority, forming its first government. The Dominica Freedom Party, despite a similar overall vote share, lost several key constituencies due to vote-splitting with the DLP. The results revealed a near-three-way division of the electorate but a clear mandate for change.
Constituency-Level Results
While detailed constituency-level data is extensive, here is a snapshot of selected constituencies:
| Constituency | Electorate | Votes | Elected Rep. | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Bruce Constituency | 2,352 | 1,586 | Romanus Bannis | UWP |
| Colihaut Constituency | 1,361 | 917 | Herbert Sabaroache | DFP |
| Cottage Constituency | 1,756 | 1,222 | Reginald Austrie | DLP |
| Grand Bay Constituency | 3,545 | 1,943 | Pierre Charles | DLP |
| La Plaine Constituency | 2,172 | 1,456 | Ronald Green | UWP |
| Mahaut Constituency | 5,111 | 3,580 | Brian Alleyne | DFP |
| Marigot Constituency | 2,444 | 1,501 | Edison James | UWP |
| Morne Jaune/Riviere Cyrique Constituency | 1,386 | 1,082 | Gertrude Roberts | UWP |
| Paix Bouche Constituency | 2,353 | 1,506 | Matthew Walter | DLP |
| Petite Savanne Constituency | 2,324 | 1,693 | Urban Baron | DLP |
| Portsmouth Constituency | 2,739 | 1,647 | Roosevelt Douglas | DLP |
| Roseau Central Constituency | 3,577 | 2,150 | Charles Savarin | DFP |
| Roseau North Constituency | 5,497 | 3,271 | Julius Timothy | UWP |
| Roseau South Constituency | 4,974 | 3,325 | Ossie Walsh | DFP |
| Roseau Valley Constituency | 1,536 | 1,105 | Norris Charles | UWP |
| Salisbury Constituency | 2,304 | 1,568 | Earl Williams | UWP |
| Salybia Constituency | 1,841 | 1,465 | François Barrie | UWP |
| Soufriere Constituency | 2,596 | 1,694 | Charles Maynard | DFP |
| St. Joseph Constituency | 3,278 | 1,945 | Doreen Paul | UWP |
| Vieille Case Constituency | 1,939 | 1,299 | Vernice Bellony | UWP |
| Wesley Constituency | 2,547 | 1,608 | Peter Carbon | UWP |
(Constituency data verified from the Electoral Office of Dominica and regional election archives.)
Notable Outcomes and Analysis
The 1995 election produced Dominica’s first peaceful change of government since independence. The UWP’s 11-seat win demonstrated the growing strength of Edison James’s message of modernisation and reform. The DFP, weakened by leadership transition and voter fatigue, suffered heavy losses, while the DLP re-emerged as a potent opposition force, reclaiming key southern strongholds.
Economic issues, particularly the future of the banana industry, the state of public employment, and the pace of privatisation, dominated the discourse. Younger voters favoured UWP’s promise of infrastructure investment and expanded housing projects. International observers noted the significance of the result as a democratic milestone for Dominica’s maturing political system.
The victory positioned Edison James as Prime Minister, marking the arrival of a new political generation and the start of a short but eventful UWP administration.
Electoral Integrity and Observations
The 1995 General Elections were widely recognised as free, fair, and credible. Polling stations operated efficiently, and no major irregularities were recorded. The Electoral Office reported smooth logistics and timely vote counting. The decline in voter turnout compared to 1990 reflected apathy among long-term party loyalists and an electorate divided between three strong options.
Regional and international observers, including the Commonwealth and OECS, commended Dominica’s continued commitment to electoral democracy. The peaceful transfer of power from the DFP to the UWP was hailed across the Caribbean as an example of political maturity and institutional stability.