New Chief Elections Officer

Dominica is now in search of a new Chief Elections Officer after Steven LaRocque left the post after attaining the age of 55 in accordance with Section 87 (5 & 10) of the Dominica Constitution, persons with knowledge of the decision, who requested anonymity, told the Sun.

Ian Michael Anthony is now holding the post of Chief Elections Officer until someone is officially appointed to that post by the President after consultation with the Electoral Commission. Anthony has been in the public service for a number of years and was attached to the Inland Revenue Department. He holds an LLB degree.

LaRocque replaced Merina Williams who also had to demit office because of that constitutional requirement.

According to Section 87 (5) of the Constitution, "Subject to the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, the Officer shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age."

Section 87 (10) goes on to state that for the purposes of subsection (5) of this section is the age of fifty-five years or such other age as may be prescribed by Parliament.

LaRocque will be posted to another department of government in the public service, the source said.

Anthony has his work cut out for him; prior to the passage of Hurricane Maria on 17 September 2017, the Electoral Office was in the process of attending to matters related to electoral reform including the issuance of voter identification cards. The issue of electoral reform has been a controversial issue among the political parties in Dominica.