NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas’ two main political parties have kicked off their campaign for a general election widely expected before the constitutional October deadline, with Prime Minister Phillip Davis putting voters on an “election watch” and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard issuing a stern warning to potential candidates.
Davis told supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) that every branch, every polling division, every volunteer, and supporter should remain focused.
“That means every voter card matters. Every transfer matters. Every new registrant matters. Every address must be right. Every household must be covered. Every supporter must be checked on. Every young voter who turned 18 must be reached. Every family member must know where to go, what to do, and when to do it,” Davis said, adding this is the hour for “discipline, structure and turnout planning”.
“No waiting for the last minute. No, assuming somebody else handled it. No, acting like a strong crowd does not mean a sure result. Crowds alone win nothing. Chatter wins nothing. Social media wins nothing. Organization wins. Turnout wins.”
While he has not indicated a date for the election, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell has said that the general election is just weeks away.
Davis said a recent PLP poll found that 38 per cent of voters surveyed would vote for the ruling party if the general election were held today, while only 18 per cent would support the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM).
But FNM leader, Michael Pintard, has told supporters not to be daunted by such statements, promising voters a series of new measures aimed at improving their socio-economic future.
He also had a warning for FNM candidates.
“To every FNM official, every FNM candidate, we will not tolerate the behavior that has caused the public to have confidence in policymakers no longer.
“Colleagues, I have confidence in you. I believe this country will repose its confidence in you. But I want to say to you, and I need you to hear this: the culture that we see today in The Bahamas, where contracts are going primarily to friends or bad things are happening, bad decisions are being made, and policymakers look the other way as if they don’t see, or people come in broke and leave politics wealthy, or who fail to fill out their disclosure form — under my leadership, that kind of nonsense will stop.”
Pintard said Bahamians are exhausted with this kind of politics and that, for the past four years, Bahamians have had to deal with value-added tax (VAT) on basic food items and medication.
“They’ve used your taxes to pay their own bills and to live their best life, getting richer through sweet deals and no-bid contracts and luxury travel with Gussy Mae groups.
“They tell you that they are running a surplus. But I’m sure, if you were to look at the records, you’d see that we are not in the best financial shape this country has ever seen. It’s a lie that they have told,” Pintard said, accusing the ruling PLP administration of squandering taxpayer money.
“You see, you squandered our money when you decided that you would give more than $400 million in direct awards with no competitive bidding. We have no way of knowing whether we’re getting the best price or service because there is no competition.
“So the question is, who are they working for? Are they working for a handful of families, a handful of companies? We are here tonight to make a commitment that we are working for you, the Bahamian people, no matter what color you wear, no matter which island you are from.”
Pintard said the FNM does not believe that VAT should be on a variety of “items that are healthy and good for our people.
“Not on electricity, not on medication, not on feminine hygiene products or foods, healthy foods. We make that commitment to you,” he added. The Davis administration has eliminated VAT on unprepared foods in grocery stores, effective April 1.
In the September 6, 2021, general election, the PLP won 32 of the 39 seats in Parliament, with the remaining 7 going to the FNM.
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