ROSEAU, Dominica-MEMBERS of Dominica’s two main opposition parties, the United Workers Party (UWP) and Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), combined forces yesterday (Mar. 17) to stage a protest outside of the Electoral Commission Chairman’s office.

Carrying placards that demanded a “Free and Fair Election” for Dominica in 2010, the UWP and DFP called the ruling Dominica Labour Party’s lack of electoral reform “shameful”.

At the protest Edison James, who served as Prime Minister under the UWP Government, demanded that Electoral Commission Chairman Gerald Burton explain whether or not the government had purchased an identification card machine from Canada as was promised.

Leader of the Opposition and UWP Deputy Leader Ron Green cited other OECS nations which have implemented the identification card system, such as St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, Grenada and St. Lucia, and asked why Dominica should be lagging behind in the system.

Donning their green shirts, the DFP members also lined Kennedy Avenue to show support for electoral reform and a revised voters list.

“The DFP once again calls for urgent action to address the concerns of all parties and citizens to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are free, fair and transparent,” the DFP Leader, Judith Pestaina, said as she recalled a similar peaceful protest action held in January of this year.