By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
THE Progressive Liberal Party is weighing its options as to whether it will put up a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election, sources within the party have confirmed to The Tribune.
Currently the party is faced with a dilemma because the FNM has essentially taken a lead in the area having had representatives from its party on the ground for the past three weeks.
As for campaigning, the PLP is concerned that it has to find at least half a million dollars to put up a formidable challenge to the FNM's machinery in the area.
According to sources within the PLP, the party has containers that are still filled with PLP T-shirts and other election paraphernalia, but the actual funding of a by-election campaign will be difficult to find at such short notice.
Additionally, if these monies could be found, the party is faced with the reality that even if it were to win the by-election it would not change the balance of power in the House of Assembly as the PLP would still be in Opposition. In effect it would have essentially "wasted" $500,000 that could be used for the 2012 general elections.
While all of these issues are reportedly being discussed at the highest levels within the party, there is also a growing concern amongst some PLP Members of Parliament about what the perception would be if the party were not to run a candidate in the area.
"We need to have a representative in the area, anybody, so we can show the people that we care about them, and that we want to represent them in the House of Assembly. Now how do we do this? We could run a Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler in there, but elections cost money, and when you are up against the FNM and all of its machinery it is very difficult to win this one seat. So what do you do?" the source asked.
Today the PLP's former Member of Parliament Malcolm Adderley is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly, causing the first by-election in at least a decade. In his departing speech, Mr Adderley is expected to take aim at his former party leader, Perry Christie. It is not known at this time what Mr Christie's response will be, but sources close to the leader claim that Mr Christie is "more than ready" to answer Mr Adderley "blow-for-blow."
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Official Opposition Leader Perry Christie: offering Adderley judge post would undermine democracy
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
IF THE Government offered Malcolm Adderley a post as a Supreme Court judge in exchange for his seat in Elizabeth it would "undermine" Bahamian democracy, charged Opposition Leader Perry Christie.
The former prime minister argued that judicial appointments are "one of the most sacred appointments" that defines constitutional democracy and claimed that such a move would be political "manipulation" of the judicial system.
"I happen to believe (if) that is played out tomorrow and the next several days in our country then I believe it is the most damning indictment of our system of government where this manipulation can take place and it means that you have an in depth manipulation going on that has truly, I think, undermined the democracy that we live in," Mr Christie said, when he called to weigh in on Love 97 FM's talk show Issues of the Day.
His comments came after speculation in some quarters that Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, which would set the stage for a by-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
In the statement released Monday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP adding that it did not know the reasons behind the decision.
The FNM also alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him."
Over the holiday weekend Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010. Mr Adderley is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets today.
January 06, 2010
tribune242
Free National Movement (FNM) chairman Carl Bethel rejects government manipulation claims in Malcolm Adderley's expected appointment
BY STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk:
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
PLP by-election win 'would be indicator of party's strength and support'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A PLP win in a likely by-election in the Elizabeth constituency would prove a good indicator of the party's strength and support with the voting public, it was claimed last night.
Attorney Philip Galanis, a former PLP senator, believes that in order to nab a possible by-election victory, the party must quickly determine the best possible candidate to outweigh the heavy resources the FNM will pour behind its prospective hopeful.
So far those who have expressed an interested for the Elizabeth nomination include attorneys Ryan Pinder, Craig Butler and Ken Dorsett.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010, and is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets tomorrow.
It would set the stage for a hotly-contested by-election in Elizabeth, which PLP chairman Bradley Roberts estimates would cost the public purse upwards of $1 million.
"I think it would be a very good indicator of how strong the party is and would be a referendum, an indication by some, of what the people of the country feel about the performance of the Ingraham administration," Mr Galanis said.
"The party needs to really caucus with a view to determine who the best candidate is to contest the election, if one is called. It needs to impose some stringent policies to selecting its candidate and most importantly it needs to impress upon its stand bearers that that is all they are, any seat they might win in Parliament does not belong to them and their representation is a privilege, not a right."
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party has not officially selected a replacement for Mr Adderley reasoning that he has yet to resign from the House, thus leaving a vacancy in the Elizabeth seat, an area with a long history of voting for the PLP.
"We only found out on the weekend that Malcolm was going to resign from the PLP. We still don't know whether Malcolm is going to resign from the House," he told The Tribune yesterday.
"Some people may be doing some solicitation (in the area) that's not unusual (but) the party doesn't have a mandate to fill any position yet."
In the statement released yesterday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP.
Although it is believed the Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, the Ingraham administration said it did not know the reasons behind the decision while taking a jab at the upper echelons of the Opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out personal determination on his part. The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP.
"However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organisation has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The statement also thanked Mr Adderley for continuing to serve as Chairman of the Gaming Board after his party lost the 2007 general election, a decision that infuriated members of his party.
Yesterday, the FNM alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him.
"We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
Mr Adderley's move came after months of speculation about his strained relations with the PLP and party leader Perry Christie. Mr Adderley has reportedly long been at odds with his party and has been inactive in the party's Parliamentary caucus.
Mr Christie's decision not to expel Mr Adderley from the PLP long ago has garnered harsh criticism from observers, even former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby who accused the party leader "of being asleep at the wheel."
January 05, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A PLP win in a likely by-election in the Elizabeth constituency would prove a good indicator of the party's strength and support with the voting public, it was claimed last night.
Attorney Philip Galanis, a former PLP senator, believes that in order to nab a possible by-election victory, the party must quickly determine the best possible candidate to outweigh the heavy resources the FNM will pour behind its prospective hopeful.
So far those who have expressed an interested for the Elizabeth nomination include attorneys Ryan Pinder, Craig Butler and Ken Dorsett.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010, and is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets tomorrow.
It would set the stage for a hotly-contested by-election in Elizabeth, which PLP chairman Bradley Roberts estimates would cost the public purse upwards of $1 million.
"I think it would be a very good indicator of how strong the party is and would be a referendum, an indication by some, of what the people of the country feel about the performance of the Ingraham administration," Mr Galanis said.
"The party needs to really caucus with a view to determine who the best candidate is to contest the election, if one is called. It needs to impose some stringent policies to selecting its candidate and most importantly it needs to impress upon its stand bearers that that is all they are, any seat they might win in Parliament does not belong to them and their representation is a privilege, not a right."
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party has not officially selected a replacement for Mr Adderley reasoning that he has yet to resign from the House, thus leaving a vacancy in the Elizabeth seat, an area with a long history of voting for the PLP.
"We only found out on the weekend that Malcolm was going to resign from the PLP. We still don't know whether Malcolm is going to resign from the House," he told The Tribune yesterday.
"Some people may be doing some solicitation (in the area) that's not unusual (but) the party doesn't have a mandate to fill any position yet."
In the statement released yesterday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP.
Although it is believed the Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, the Ingraham administration said it did not know the reasons behind the decision while taking a jab at the upper echelons of the Opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out personal determination on his part. The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP.
"However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organisation has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The statement also thanked Mr Adderley for continuing to serve as Chairman of the Gaming Board after his party lost the 2007 general election, a decision that infuriated members of his party.
Yesterday, the FNM alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him.
"We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
Mr Adderley's move came after months of speculation about his strained relations with the PLP and party leader Perry Christie. Mr Adderley has reportedly long been at odds with his party and has been inactive in the party's Parliamentary caucus.
Mr Christie's decision not to expel Mr Adderley from the PLP long ago has garnered harsh criticism from observers, even former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby who accused the party leader "of being asleep at the wheel."
January 05, 2010
tribune242
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Bradley Roberts predicts money will determine Elizabeth by-election victor
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
Whether the Progressive Liberal Party will run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election is a matter the party will decide at a later date, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday, adding that the party does not now have a great deal of funds to invest in such a process.
The by-election will come as a result of the resignation of current MP Malcolm Adderley from the House of Assembly. Adderley also resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party on Saturday.
"We have a process in our party that we will be obliged to follow and in going through that process, a determination will be made and recommendations will be brought to the National General Council of the party who will make the final determination," he said.
Despite reports from party insiders, Roberts also said he was not aware of any plan that was afoot to expel Adderley from the party.
Some political pundits have described Adderley's resignation on Saturday as a preemptive strike. According to party insiders, the PLP was getting ready to expel him.
Roberts said yesterday, "If that is so, I have no knowledge of that whatsoever. Nothing has come to my attention in that regard. Some remarks I made recently may have caused the matter to come to a head."
Last week, the PLP chairman predicted that the matter would reach conclusion soon.
Asked if he is confident the party would win the seat should it contest it, Roberts said yesterday, "Personally, Bradley Roberts is a very optimistic person and at this time in the history of our Bahamas with the economy being in the state that it is in, the amount of suffering that has been going on, it is not an unknown quantity that there are things that take place that the Free National Movement are experts at doing and that will obviously play a very, very strong and influential part in the outcome of the election. In other words, people generally vote nowadays in the interest of their bellies as opposed to the interest of what is true and what is right.
"It means then, in my opinion, that the outcome will be determined by who invests the greatest amount of funds in the process."
Following the 2007 general election, PLP leader Perry Christie said one of the main reasons the Free National Movement won was that it outspent the Progressive Liberal Party. It is widely known that the PLP emerged from that election financially strapped.
Roberts said yesterday that several PLPs — including attorneys Ryan Pinder and Craig Butler — have expressed an interest in running on the party's ticket in Elizabeth.
Adderley, a former acting Supreme Court justice, is expected to become a judge following his departure from the House. His resignation takes effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
Asked why the PLP leadership did not take action against Adderley, Roberts said that is a question that would have to be asked of the chairman who served before him.
He said since he has been chairman, "We've had other things that we've been preoccupied with and Malcolm was certainly not a priority in this chairman's estimation. I had personally written off Malcolm Adderley a long time ago."
In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM said it respects the personal decision made by Adderley to sever his political affiliation with the opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out, personal determination on his part," the statement said.
"The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr. Adderley's resignation from the PLP. However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr. Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organization has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The party also thanked Adderley for agreeing to continue to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board after the 2007 general elections.
"We understand that Mr. Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve," the statement said. "If that is so, we highly commend him. We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
thenassauguardian
Whether the Progressive Liberal Party will run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election is a matter the party will decide at a later date, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday, adding that the party does not now have a great deal of funds to invest in such a process.
The by-election will come as a result of the resignation of current MP Malcolm Adderley from the House of Assembly. Adderley also resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party on Saturday.
"We have a process in our party that we will be obliged to follow and in going through that process, a determination will be made and recommendations will be brought to the National General Council of the party who will make the final determination," he said.
Despite reports from party insiders, Roberts also said he was not aware of any plan that was afoot to expel Adderley from the party.
Some political pundits have described Adderley's resignation on Saturday as a preemptive strike. According to party insiders, the PLP was getting ready to expel him.
Roberts said yesterday, "If that is so, I have no knowledge of that whatsoever. Nothing has come to my attention in that regard. Some remarks I made recently may have caused the matter to come to a head."
Last week, the PLP chairman predicted that the matter would reach conclusion soon.
Asked if he is confident the party would win the seat should it contest it, Roberts said yesterday, "Personally, Bradley Roberts is a very optimistic person and at this time in the history of our Bahamas with the economy being in the state that it is in, the amount of suffering that has been going on, it is not an unknown quantity that there are things that take place that the Free National Movement are experts at doing and that will obviously play a very, very strong and influential part in the outcome of the election. In other words, people generally vote nowadays in the interest of their bellies as opposed to the interest of what is true and what is right.
"It means then, in my opinion, that the outcome will be determined by who invests the greatest amount of funds in the process."
Following the 2007 general election, PLP leader Perry Christie said one of the main reasons the Free National Movement won was that it outspent the Progressive Liberal Party. It is widely known that the PLP emerged from that election financially strapped.
Roberts said yesterday that several PLPs — including attorneys Ryan Pinder and Craig Butler — have expressed an interest in running on the party's ticket in Elizabeth.
Adderley, a former acting Supreme Court justice, is expected to become a judge following his departure from the House. His resignation takes effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
Asked why the PLP leadership did not take action against Adderley, Roberts said that is a question that would have to be asked of the chairman who served before him.
He said since he has been chairman, "We've had other things that we've been preoccupied with and Malcolm was certainly not a priority in this chairman's estimation. I had personally written off Malcolm Adderley a long time ago."
In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM said it respects the personal decision made by Adderley to sever his political affiliation with the opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out, personal determination on his part," the statement said.
"The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr. Adderley's resignation from the PLP. However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr. Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organization has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The party also thanked Adderley for agreeing to continue to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board after the 2007 general elections.
"We understand that Mr. Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve," the statement said. "If that is so, we highly commend him. We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
thenassauguardian
Elizabeth by-election to be held in February
By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
The Elizabeth by-election, the first in the country since 1997, will be held in February, The Nassau Guardian has learned.
There is speculation that Dr. Duane Sands will be the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate in the by-election. When contacted yesterday, Dr. Sands did not disclose if he would be in the race.
"There is a sitting, or incumbent, member of Parliament for Elizabeth and I think it is unreasonable for us to comment in any other way unless such didn't apply," he said.
When asked specifically if he will be the FNM candidate in the by-election, Dr. Sands replied:
"Let's just say I am a Bahamian. I believe very strongly in my country and whatever I can do to further advance my country, I'd be prepared to do."
PLP sources have confirmed that a faction in the party is urging PLP leader Perry Christie not to run a candidate in the Elizabeth constituency. They suggest the FNM is using the by-election, in part, to test its strength halfway through this mandate.
The front-runner for the PLP's nomination for Elizabeth is reportedly attorney and party Vice-chairman Ryan Pinder.
Pinder is the son of former PLP MP Marvin Pinder, who represented the area when it was the Malcolm Creek constituency.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley resigned his seat in Parliament on Saturday, by way of a letter to Speaker of the House of Assembly Alvin Smith. Adderley also resigned as a member of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Saturday in a separate letter to party chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation from the House will take effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
The Parliamentary Elections Act says that the House Speaker shall send a message to the governor general requesting the issue of a writ of election once the speaker is made aware of a seat vacancy.
Upon receipt of the speaker's message, the governor general issues a writ of election for the constituency where there is a vacancy. The act states that there should be no less than 21, or no more than 30 days, between the issue of the writ of election and the return of that writ.
The returning officer to whom a writ of election is directed has up to two days after receiving a writ of election to give public notice of the election.
National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest told The Guardian yesterday he is "extremely confident" that the governing party will win the Elizabeth seat.
"It is not currently our seat but it's a seat that we would like to win and that we intend to win," said Turnquest, who is a former FNM leader.
Adderley is serving his second term as the Elizabeth MP, having won the seat for the first time in 2002. In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the seat by 45 votes over now Ambassador to China Elma Campbell.
The Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) candidate Bernard Rolle received 72 votes; there were 32 rejected ballots; and about 300 registered voters did not vote on election day.
thenassauguardian
The Elizabeth by-election, the first in the country since 1997, will be held in February, The Nassau Guardian has learned.
There is speculation that Dr. Duane Sands will be the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate in the by-election. When contacted yesterday, Dr. Sands did not disclose if he would be in the race.
"There is a sitting, or incumbent, member of Parliament for Elizabeth and I think it is unreasonable for us to comment in any other way unless such didn't apply," he said.
When asked specifically if he will be the FNM candidate in the by-election, Dr. Sands replied:
"Let's just say I am a Bahamian. I believe very strongly in my country and whatever I can do to further advance my country, I'd be prepared to do."
PLP sources have confirmed that a faction in the party is urging PLP leader Perry Christie not to run a candidate in the Elizabeth constituency. They suggest the FNM is using the by-election, in part, to test its strength halfway through this mandate.
The front-runner for the PLP's nomination for Elizabeth is reportedly attorney and party Vice-chairman Ryan Pinder.
Pinder is the son of former PLP MP Marvin Pinder, who represented the area when it was the Malcolm Creek constituency.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley resigned his seat in Parliament on Saturday, by way of a letter to Speaker of the House of Assembly Alvin Smith. Adderley also resigned as a member of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Saturday in a separate letter to party chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation from the House will take effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
The Parliamentary Elections Act says that the House Speaker shall send a message to the governor general requesting the issue of a writ of election once the speaker is made aware of a seat vacancy.
Upon receipt of the speaker's message, the governor general issues a writ of election for the constituency where there is a vacancy. The act states that there should be no less than 21, or no more than 30 days, between the issue of the writ of election and the return of that writ.
The returning officer to whom a writ of election is directed has up to two days after receiving a writ of election to give public notice of the election.
National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest told The Guardian yesterday he is "extremely confident" that the governing party will win the Elizabeth seat.
"It is not currently our seat but it's a seat that we would like to win and that we intend to win," said Turnquest, who is a former FNM leader.
Adderley is serving his second term as the Elizabeth MP, having won the seat for the first time in 2002. In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the seat by 45 votes over now Ambassador to China Elma Campbell.
The Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) candidate Bernard Rolle received 72 votes; there were 32 rejected ballots; and about 300 registered voters did not vote on election day.
thenassauguardian
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) lashes out over the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Progressive Liberal Party yesterday let off a volley of stinging criticisms against the governing Free National Movement on the heels of the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly, accusing it of undermining the administration of justice in the country.
"Let Malcolm Adderley serve out his political term," the party said in a detailed statement.
"Do not strike deals behind closed doors, especially those that undermine confidence in the judiciary. Do not impose the cost of a by-election upon Bahamians who are struggling to pay school fees, mortgages, rent, utilities and to buy groceries. The PLP and Bahamians everywhere hope the FNM will stop this madness."
The PLP released the statement after it emerged that Adderley resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party and from the House of Assembly where he is a second-term member of Parliament for Elizabeth. The Guardian understands that Adderley tendered his resignation to House Speaker Alvin Smith on Saturday and also sent a one-line letter of resignation to PLP chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation as an MP comes after many months of speculation as Adderley continued to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board when the Free National Movement was elected in 2007, and has been inactive in the PLP's parliamentary caucus.
Adderley's resignation as an MP is effective the end of the day on Wednesday and he is expected to become a Supreme Court judge.
The PLP yesterday accused the Free National Movement of "continued abuses of power and destruction of our institutions", claiming that such "abuses" are "heaping unbearable and irreparable damage upon the backs of Bahamians."
The party went as far as to accuse the government of sparking a record-breaking murder count in 2009 "due to political interference in the appointment of the commissioner of police" Reginald Ferguson, who retires today.
"Commissioner (Ellison) Greenslade was to have been appointed in 2007. The FNM appointed Reginald Ferguson so that his pension could be 'fixed up'," the PLP alleged. "The brother of the then chairman of the FNM and Hubert Ingraham's 'boy' was fixed up while Bahamians paid the price of crime spiraling out of control, tourists were attacked, cruise ships told their passengers not to go on tours, investors left The Bahamas, financial services continued to face steep decline and Bahamians were held hostage in their homes."
Adderley's resignation from Parliament means that a by-election is imminent.
"This means that the people of The Bahamas who are faced with the worst economy and the highest misery index in living memory will now be further burdened with the cost of a by-election in Elizabeth, which will amount to more than $1 million," the PLP stated.
"It means that the FNM is giving as political gifts the position of Supreme Court justice, thereby attacking the institution of an independent judiciary. It also means that the FNM would have determined to ignore the findings of the Election Court pointing out the lack of integrity of the Register of Voters. By any yardstick, the FNM would be holding an election on a register that has a question as to proper scrutiny [and this] will be striking at the very root of democracy.
"The PLP will determine whether to participate in this madness would be supporting an immoral and constitutional travesty."
The party also charged that the government has committed an act of "blatant discrimination" against Justice Cheryl Albury by refusing to extend her service.
"If Justice Albury's tenure was extended, the Bahamian people will simply pay her salary and not a pension at this time. In refusing the extension of Justice Albury's tenure while negotiating a behind the scenes political deal, for the appointment of Malcolm Adderley as a judge and the extension of his tenure before he is even appointed, the FNM would be adding another salary, pension and other perks onto the backs of an already overburdened Bahamian public."
The PLP claimed the government intends to hold a by-election in Elizabeth to determine its level of popularity. The party charged that this "is an abuse of power, tramples upon our laws and is a naked attack upon the institution of a free and fair electoral process."
The by-election in Elizabeth will be the first to be held in the country since the September 1997 by-election in South Andros, which was held after the late former prime minister Sir Lynden Pindling resigned from front-line politics.
In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the Elizabeth seat by only 45 votes, defeating the FNM's Elma Campbell, 1,940 to 1,895.
January 04, 2010
thenassauguardian
The Progressive Liberal Party yesterday let off a volley of stinging criticisms against the governing Free National Movement on the heels of the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly, accusing it of undermining the administration of justice in the country.
"Let Malcolm Adderley serve out his political term," the party said in a detailed statement.
"Do not strike deals behind closed doors, especially those that undermine confidence in the judiciary. Do not impose the cost of a by-election upon Bahamians who are struggling to pay school fees, mortgages, rent, utilities and to buy groceries. The PLP and Bahamians everywhere hope the FNM will stop this madness."
The PLP released the statement after it emerged that Adderley resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party and from the House of Assembly where he is a second-term member of Parliament for Elizabeth. The Guardian understands that Adderley tendered his resignation to House Speaker Alvin Smith on Saturday and also sent a one-line letter of resignation to PLP chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation as an MP comes after many months of speculation as Adderley continued to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board when the Free National Movement was elected in 2007, and has been inactive in the PLP's parliamentary caucus.
Adderley's resignation as an MP is effective the end of the day on Wednesday and he is expected to become a Supreme Court judge.
The PLP yesterday accused the Free National Movement of "continued abuses of power and destruction of our institutions", claiming that such "abuses" are "heaping unbearable and irreparable damage upon the backs of Bahamians."
The party went as far as to accuse the government of sparking a record-breaking murder count in 2009 "due to political interference in the appointment of the commissioner of police" Reginald Ferguson, who retires today.
"Commissioner (Ellison) Greenslade was to have been appointed in 2007. The FNM appointed Reginald Ferguson so that his pension could be 'fixed up'," the PLP alleged. "The brother of the then chairman of the FNM and Hubert Ingraham's 'boy' was fixed up while Bahamians paid the price of crime spiraling out of control, tourists were attacked, cruise ships told their passengers not to go on tours, investors left The Bahamas, financial services continued to face steep decline and Bahamians were held hostage in their homes."
Adderley's resignation from Parliament means that a by-election is imminent.
"This means that the people of The Bahamas who are faced with the worst economy and the highest misery index in living memory will now be further burdened with the cost of a by-election in Elizabeth, which will amount to more than $1 million," the PLP stated.
"It means that the FNM is giving as political gifts the position of Supreme Court justice, thereby attacking the institution of an independent judiciary. It also means that the FNM would have determined to ignore the findings of the Election Court pointing out the lack of integrity of the Register of Voters. By any yardstick, the FNM would be holding an election on a register that has a question as to proper scrutiny [and this] will be striking at the very root of democracy.
"The PLP will determine whether to participate in this madness would be supporting an immoral and constitutional travesty."
The party also charged that the government has committed an act of "blatant discrimination" against Justice Cheryl Albury by refusing to extend her service.
"If Justice Albury's tenure was extended, the Bahamian people will simply pay her salary and not a pension at this time. In refusing the extension of Justice Albury's tenure while negotiating a behind the scenes political deal, for the appointment of Malcolm Adderley as a judge and the extension of his tenure before he is even appointed, the FNM would be adding another salary, pension and other perks onto the backs of an already overburdened Bahamian public."
The PLP claimed the government intends to hold a by-election in Elizabeth to determine its level of popularity. The party charged that this "is an abuse of power, tramples upon our laws and is a naked attack upon the institution of a free and fair electoral process."
The by-election in Elizabeth will be the first to be held in the country since the September 1997 by-election in South Andros, which was held after the late former prime minister Sir Lynden Pindling resigned from front-line politics.
In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the Elizabeth seat by only 45 votes, defeating the FNM's Elma Campbell, 1,940 to 1,895.
January 04, 2010
thenassauguardian
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