Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
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ROSEAU, Dominica: Roosevelt Skerrit was on Monday sworn-in as Dominica's Prime Minister amid a street protest here by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) who accused the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) of rigging the May 5 general election.
The DLP claimed 12 seats, including the Castle Bruce seat it gained by one vote in a recount on Friday, to retain power. The UWP collected eight seats while the other went to an independent candidate.
After Skerrit was sworn-in by President Dr Nicholas Liverpool, he promised to serve with "the highest sense of integrity and honesty".
"I will continue to represent the people of Dominica with the highest sense of integrity and honesty as we seek to bring prosperity to Dominica," he said.
The Dominican leader said the rest of his Cabinet would be announced and sworn-in on Thursday, while Ian Douglas, the nephew of late Prime Minister Rosie Douglas would be sworn-in as Attorney General on Monday afternoon.
While the swearing in was taking place at the President's Office, about one mile away hundreds of UWP supporters protested outside the Electoral Office claiming that there were discrepancies in five of the 21 constituencies.
Several carried placards and shouted anti-government sentiments. One placard said "Stolen Elections", another read "My children are suffering, we need election now".
At a UWP rally on Sunday night in Castle Bruce, an east coast village that is at the centre of the row following the last minute change from the UWP to DLP candidate in the official vote count, its leader Edison James told his supporters to turn up in the capital to seek justice.
"I want you to go to Roseau and seek justice. It's now or never, you have the power in your hands to get justice done," he said.
In responding to James' remarks, PM Skerrit urged the opposition to face the courts for answers instead of turning to street protest.
"I really want to stress the need that if we have any difficulty in the country there is a legal process involved in addressing our concerns. We should not encourage or tolerate anybody who wants to incite violence or lawlessness," Skerrit said.
Speakers at the protest called for intensive action against the government.
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