General elections were held in Dominica on 18 December 2009 for the 21 elected seats in the House of Assembly using a first-past-the-post system.

Electoral System

The unicameral Parliament of Dominica, the House of Assembly, is composed of 21 elected Representatives, in single-member constituencies through a first-past-the-post system. Of the remaining eleven members, nine are appointed by the President (five on the advice of the Prime Minister and four on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition); and two - the Speaker and the Attorney General - are ex-officio. The normal duration of the legislature is five years.

Background

On 19 November 2009, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced that early elections would be held on 18 December.  They were constitutionally due by May 2010.

In the previous elections, which were held in May 2005, the Prime Minister's Dominica Labour Party (DLP) won 12 of the 21 directly elected seats.  Its coalition partner, the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), failed to win parliamentary representation for the first time since its inception in 1975.  The main opposition, the United Workers Party (UWP), took eight seats.  An independent candidate was also elected.

Political Parties & Candidates

Fifty-seven candidates from five parties and five independent candidates – vied for seats in 2009.  Although the DFP was running, the elections were widely seen as a two-horse race between the DLP and the UWP.  The DLP was the only party fielding candidates in all 21 constituencies.  The UWP and the DFP fielded 17 and 11 candidates respectively.  The Dominica Progressive Party (DPP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Movement (PDM) fielded three and five candidates, respectively. 

Election Campaign

The DLP pledged to improve the climate for foreign investment and to develop the agricultural, tourism and technology sectors to modernize the local economy.  It further promised to renovate the country's main roads and transform the capital into "the most modern and historic city" in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).The DLP promised to pursue its efforts to establish a Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME) and to consolidate existing relations with the European Union, Canada and the United States.

Prime Minister Skerrit criticized the UWP for having "no plan for the country".  In response, UWP leader Ronald Green launched a manifesto entitled "United for Dominica" on 15 December.  It comprised 20 pledges for "smart growth" to be achieved within 24 months.  It focused on restoring economic growth by boosting export earnings and rebuilding domestic demand.  The UWP also promised to develop a "green economy" by investing in renewable energy.  Many UWP candidates promised to create jobs and reduce the cost of fuel for fishermen.  The UWP argued that Prime Minister Skerrit's dual French-Dominican citizenship violated the Constitution.  The UWP also criticized the government for not reviewing the electoral roll, which comprised 67,000 registered voters for 72,000 inhabitants.

In the meantime, on 13 December, the DFP, led by Judith Pestaina, launched its manifesto.  It pledged to pass a freedom of information bill that would allow citizens to find out how their taxes are spent.  It also promised to introduce a national health insurance plan and proposed an EC$200 million (US$74 million) plan for agricultural diversification.

Results

The results gave 18 seats to the DLP.  The UWP took the three remaining seats.  UWP leader Green lost to a DLP candidate by a margin of two votes.  The DFP failed to win parliamentary representation for the second time in a row.  Two women were elected.

Voter Turnout

Voter Turnout was 55.15%. 

Election Observers

The polls were monitored by the Organization of American States (OAS) and CARICOM.  The OAS said that the elections had been free and fair.  The CARICOM declared the voting process had been conducted in an orderly, free, and peaceful manner.

Post-Election

On 5 January, Prime Minister Skerrit's new cabinet was sworn in. On 4 February 2010, the newly elected House of Assembly held its first session, which was boycotted by members of the UWP.  Five appointed members (all of whom are men) were sworn in on the same day.   Alix Boyd Knights was re-elected as Speaker.