The Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) has come out in support of businessman Gregor Nassief following comments made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at a Dominica Labour Party executive meeting. In a separate development, the Dominica Business Forum (DBF) has raised concerns about the alleged monitoring of a private meeting, adding to a growing public debate over the treatment of private citizens and business figures in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The ERC's statement backs Nassief, who has been a vocal advocate for electoral reform on the island. The coalition's intervention follows remarks attributed to the Prime Minister during a DLP executive gathering, which the ERC has characterised as inappropriate pressure on a private citizen. The group has called for respect for individuals who engage in public advocacy, insisting that participation in national dialogue should not carry personal or professional consequences.
The Dominica Business Forum has separately expressed concern over reports that a private meeting involving business stakeholders may have been monitored. The DBF has not confirmed the details of the alleged surveillance but has stated that such actions, if true, would undermine the trust necessary for constructive engagement between the private sector and the state. The forum has urged transparency and has asked for clarification from the relevant authorities.
Nassief, a prominent figure in Dominica's private sector, has been an outspoken supporter of electoral reform, a cause that has gained traction in recent years. The ERC, which brings together civil society groups and individuals advocating for changes to the country's electoral system, has repeatedly called for greater accountability and fairness in the electoral process. Its backing of Nassief signals a widening of the reform debate beyond purely electoral matters to include broader questions of civic freedom and the treatment of dissenting voices.
The Prime Minister's comments, made at a meeting of the ruling party's executive, have not been published in full. However, the ERC's response suggests that the remarks were directed at Nassief's activism. The coalition has framed the issue as one of principle, arguing that no citizen should be subjected to criticism or intimidation for exercising their right to advocate for change within the law.
The Dominica Business Forum's concern about the alleged monitoring of a private meeting adds a second layer to the controversy. The forum represents a range of businesses operating in Dominica, from tourism and hospitality to agriculture and services. Its members have historically maintained a working relationship with the government on issues of economic policy, investment, and job creation. Any perception that private sector deliberations are being watched could strain that relationship at a time when the island is seeking to attract investment and diversify its economy.
Neither the Prime Minister's office nor the Dominica Labour Party has issued a public response to the ERC's statement or the DBF's concerns as of the time of reporting. The government has not commented on the allegation of monitoring, and no official confirmation has been provided regarding the existence or nature of any surveillance operation.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing national conversation about electoral reform in Dominica. The ERC has been pressing for changes to the electoral system, including reforms to the electoral registration process and the composition of the Electoral Commission. The coalition has argued that the current system does not adequately guarantee free and fair elections, a position that has put it at odds with the government on several occasions.
Nassief's involvement in the reform movement has made him a notable figure in the debate. His business interests span several sectors of the Dominican economy, and his public stance on electoral matters has drawn both support and criticism. The ERC's statement is likely to intensify focus on the government's attitude toward its critics, particularly those in the private sector whose cooperation is often seen as essential to national development.
The Dominica Business Forum has not indicated what steps it will take next, but its public expression of concern suggests that the issue is being taken seriously by the business community. The forum has previously engaged with the government on matters of economic policy and has generally sought to maintain a non-partisan stance. Its decision to raise the monitoring allegation publicly marks a departure from that approach and may signal growing unease among business leaders about the political climate.
As the story develops, the ERC and the DBF are likely to face questions about the evidence behind their statements, while the government may come under pressure to respond. For now, the affair has brought together two of the island's most significant institutions — civil society and the private sector — in a rare moment of alignment over the rights of citizens to meet and speak freely.
