Prominent businessman Gregor Nassief has raised serious concerns about the state of electoral reform in Dominica, describing the current implementation of voter registration and voter confirmation systems as ineffective and deeply troubling.
In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Nassief pointed to what he described as significant shortcomings since the passage of electoral reform legislation in March 2025. He noted that continuous voter registration was suspended for 355 days, a move he argued prevented new eligible voters from participating in recent elections, including the Roseau City Council polls.
Nassief further highlighted that six months into the voter confirmation process, only about 7 percent of eligible voters have been confirmed. He also raised concern that no voter identification cards have yet been issued, despite legal provisions requiring their distribution.
He challenged assurances from government officials that the delays would not affect the credibility of future elections, arguing instead that the pace of implementation risks undermining public confidence in the electoral system. “The exclusion of new voters and the slow pace of approvals have severely undermined public confidence,” Nassief contended in his letter.
As part of his recommendations, Nassief called for the resignation of the current Electoral Commission and urged the government to commit not to call a general election until the system is fully operational and widely trusted.
He also proposed extending the voter confirmation period and launching a more robust public awareness campaign to ensure broader participation.
The comments come amid ongoing national discussions on electoral reform, as authorities continue efforts to modernize the voter registration system while addressing public concerns about accessibility, transparency, and fairness.
Nassief concluded by emphasizing that maintaining democratic legitimacy must take priority, calling for a more deliberate and inclusive approach to implementing the reforms.
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