Dominican main opposition withdraws election petition

CMC - Dominica’s main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) said it has withdrawn two election petitions it brought before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, challenging the 2009 general elections won by the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.



UWP leader Ron Green said that the petitions claiming bribery in five constituencies and lack of access to the state owned Dominica Broadcasting Corporation were withdrawn based on advice received from the party’s lawyer.



The election petitions were due to be heard at the Appeals Court next week, after a high court judge struck out the petitions last year on the basis that were vague and part of a fishing expedition.



The DLP was returned to office for a third consecutive term with a 18-3 win in the December 2009 general election, but the UWP subsequently challenged the results in five constituencies claiming widespread voter irregularity and fraud.