Marigot Constituency

The Marigot Constituency is one of the 21 electoral districts in the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is situated on the island’s northeast coast and encompasses the town of Marigot and surrounding communities, including Melville Hall and Londonderry. The constituency is known for its vibrant culture, strong community engagement, and history of active political participation.

Electoral Profile of the Marigot Constituency

As of the 2016 electoral statistics, the Marigot Constituency had an electorate of 2,610 registered voters, divided across three polling divisions. The constituency has been a significant player in Dominica’s political landscape, often reflecting broader national trends in its electoral outcomes.

Constituency Boundaries

The Marigot Constituency is geographically defined by the following boundaries:

• North-West: From Morne Diablotin in a straight line to the source of the Tweed or Toulaman River (commonly called the Londonderry River), then along that river to its estuary.
• East: From the estuary of the Londonderry River along the shoreline to the estuary of the Pagua River, then along that river to its intersection with Ravine Cheval Blanc.
• South-East: From the intersection of Ravine Cheval Blanc and the Pagua River along the Pagua River to Deux Branches, then along a straight line to the junction of the Eastern Boundary of the parish of St. Joseph and the Pont Cassé-Hatton Garden Road at D’Leau Gommier.
• South-West: From the intersection of the Eastern Boundary of the Saint Joseph Parish and the Pont Casse-Hatton Garden Road at D’Leau Gommier, then along the south-western boundary of the parish of St. Andrew to Morne Diablotin.

These boundaries delineate the Marigot Constituency, encompassing key communities such as Marigot,  Woodford Hill, and Londonderry.

Parliamentary Representatives for the Marigot Constituency

Below is a chronological list of the parliamentary representatives for the Marigot Constituency, along with their respective political affiliations:

• 1975 – 1990, Pattison A.S. Stevens (Dominica Freedom Party)
  A respected rural leader who guided Marigot through Dominica’s transition to independence, Stevens championed agricultural growth, feeder roads, and community advocacy during pivotal national shifts.
• 1990 – 2014, Edison C. James (United Workers Party)
  Former Prime Minister and long-serving MP, James advanced infrastructure and agricultural policies while shaping the modern UWP and delivering strong representation for northeastern Dominica.
• 2014 – 2019, Lennox Linton (United Workers Party)
  Charismatic Opposition Leader known for holding the government to account, Linton energized political debate and represented Marigot with a sharp focus on electoral reform and transparency.
• 2022 – Present, Anthony Samora Charles (Independent)
  Elected during a national boycott, Charles serves as Leader of the Opposition and emphasises constituency outreach, youth engagement, and infrastructural improvements in rural northeast Dominica.

The Marigot Constituency has historically been a stronghold for the United Workers Party (UWP). In the 2005 general elections, UWP candidate Edison James won the seat with 83.2% of the vote, defeating the Dominica Labour Party‘s Richard Charles, who received 16.8%. This pattern of UWP dominance continued in subsequent elections until the 2022 general elections, where the absence of UWP candidates led to a shift in the political landscape of the constituency.

Recent Political Developments

In the December 6, 2022, general elections, Anthony Charles, an independent candidate, was elected as the Parliamentary Representative for Marigot, securing 491 votes. He defeated the Dominica Labour Party’s (DLP) candidate, Gregory Riviere, who received 329 votes. Another independent candidate, Carlos Charles, garnered six votes. This election was notable as the main opposition parties, including the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), boycotted the polls, leading to a contest primarily between the DLP and independent candidates.

Following his election, Anthony Charles expressed a commitment to collaborate with the ruling government to advance the development of the Marigot Constituency. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit met with Charles to discuss development plans and assured government support for initiatives to improve the constituency’s infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Community and Development Initiatives

The Marigot Constituency has been the focus of various development projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents. These initiatives include improvements to educational facilities, such as the Wills Strathmore Stevens Primary School, and health facilities like the Marigot Hospital and Marigot Health Center, and efforts to boost economic activity through the Marigot Fisheries Complex. The government has also addressed concerns related to infrastructure, including clearing storm drains and advancing works on feeder roads in areas like Over Gutter, Valley, Captain Bruce, and Cayenne Buc.

Moreover, the government has facilitated residents’ access to small business loans to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth within the constituency. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to harness the talents and resources of the Marigot community to drive sustainable development.

Insights Moving Forward

The Marigot Constituency remains vital to Dominica’s political and social fabric. With its engaged electorate and active community participation, the constituency plays a significant role in shaping the nation’s democratic processes and development trajectory.