Bahamian Students Raise Voting Concerns
By Sasha L. Lightbourne
jonesbahamas
Several students who are studying law in the United Kingdom have voiced their concerns over the fact that there is no absentee ballot voting system in the country.
The students, who for most part, will have the opportunity to vote for the first time in the upcoming general election, are so concerned that they took those concerns to the very top – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham who recently visited them.
The small group told the prime minister that it is unlikely that any of them would be able to return home to vote as they are studying abroad and wanted to know if plans were on the drawing board to implement an absentee ballot system.
"The government proposes to have voting extended to each high commission, embassy, and consulate for voting in the future," Mr. Ingraham told the students.
"I am waiting on the Opposition’s suggestions, which I asked of them from last November. Once we receive those we can move forward with having all Bahamians vote even though they reside outside of the country."
At the moment, anyone who wants to vote has to be physically present at the polling station in order to mark the ballot.
"It’s about time they do this," Ian-Marie Darville said, who is a student at Kent Law University in England and also the Bahamas Law Students’ Association (BLSA) public relations officer.
The students met with the prime minister and his wife, Delores, on Thursday by invitation from King’s College student, Barry Griffin Jr. who also serves as the BLSA president.
As it stands, applicants for registration must provide proof of citizenship.
A valid Bahamian passport is the first form of verification accepted.
A birth certificate is also acceptable along with an official ID such as a driver’s licence or a current voter’s card and other reasonable documents like a passport, birth certificate or baptismal certificate.
Registration takes place on a daily basis at the Parliamentary Registration Department, the Mall at Marathon and Town Centre Mall, the General Post Office, the Carmichael, Elizabeth and South Beach Post Offices, Commonwealth Bank on Mackey Street, or the National Insurance Board (NIB).
There are also six roving teams that go to major businesses.
Last week Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel told the Journal that he anticipated that some 50,000 people would have registered to vote by the end of April.
May 2nd, 2011
jonesbahamas
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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Christian People Movement has joined forces with the Bahamas Constitution Party (BCP)
BCP to take part in general election
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
The Bahamas Constitution Party announced that it will be participating in the next general election.
Describing itself as a "social and fiscal conservative party" the BCP issued a statement yesterday revealing that the party will be fielding 39 candidates in the upcoming elections.
It said: "We are planning to be ready to 'Govern on Day One' having spend the past 12-13 years in research, development and planning".
The BCP was officially launched in 1999, making its first appearance in the 2002 elections.
The Christian People Movement has also joined forces with the BCP "adding both value numbers to our agenda and vision for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas" said the statement.
The party's main goals include constitutional reform, urban renewal and youth programmes, implementation of new immigration policies, improved education, economic diversification and crime reduction.
The BCP plans to release their "Mandate 2012- Hope for Bahamaland" during an upcoming summer convention along with planned public appearances, town meetings and mini rallies to raise awareness and support for the party.
The BCP invites the public to view their "Hope for Bahamaland" plan at www.bahamasyouthrenewal.com.
April 30, 2011
tribune242
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
The Bahamas Constitution Party announced that it will be participating in the next general election.
Describing itself as a "social and fiscal conservative party" the BCP issued a statement yesterday revealing that the party will be fielding 39 candidates in the upcoming elections.
It said: "We are planning to be ready to 'Govern on Day One' having spend the past 12-13 years in research, development and planning".
The BCP was officially launched in 1999, making its first appearance in the 2002 elections.
The Christian People Movement has also joined forces with the BCP "adding both value numbers to our agenda and vision for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas" said the statement.
The party's main goals include constitutional reform, urban renewal and youth programmes, implementation of new immigration policies, improved education, economic diversification and crime reduction.
The BCP plans to release their "Mandate 2012- Hope for Bahamaland" during an upcoming summer convention along with planned public appearances, town meetings and mini rallies to raise awareness and support for the party.
The BCP invites the public to view their "Hope for Bahamaland" plan at www.bahamasyouthrenewal.com.
April 30, 2011
tribune242
Friday, April 29, 2011
Branville McCartney has reportedly turned down offers to join other political parties... instead opting to form his own – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
PLP Stalled For McCartney
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was so determined to get Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney to join its ranks that it held off on appointing a candidate to run in the constituency against him, according to party leader Perry Christie.
When Mr. McCartney resigned as state minister for immigration last year Mr. Christie immediately sprung into action to let him know that the party was interested in having him come on board.
A year later when he resigned from the Free National Movement (FNM) Mr. Christie again let Mr. McCartney know that the party was a "big tent" always in search of new talent.
But, in both instances Mr. McCartney declined the offers.
So, Mr. Christie moved on.
Now, the PLP leader said to date four people have applied to the PLP to run in the constituency.
"Quite frankly the delay in appointing a candidate to Bamboo Town was because we wanted to give certain political personalities an opportunity to determine whether they would wish to become a PLP," Mr. Christie said.
"So, we have finished that course now and are moving on to name a candidate for those seats that are remaining. I expect in a short period of time moving forward that we would have a candidate named, but the delay was occasioned by my wanting to give some people whose names I will not now call an opportunity to determine whether they wanted to be a PLP or something else."
Mr. McCartney has reportedly turned down offers to join other third parties, instead opting to form his own – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), which is set to launch next Monday.
"I support the right of Branville McCartney and others to form themselves into political organisations," Mr. Christie said.
"Branville McCartney’s difficulty is that (attorney) Paul Moss just announced a new political party and said that he has 23 candidates already, so clearly the scramble is on."
Mr. Christie said he believes most people will have to make a decision on which of the parties can realistically form a government.
As far as he is concerned, that choice will come down to two parties – the FNM and the PLP.
"I believe people would say that they want to give the PLP an opportunity because I believe they’re going to buy into and [realise] that Bahamians have to be meaningfully involved in the economy," he said.
FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham has, too, predicted that his party would once again represent Bamboo Town.
He recently went into the constituency to apologise to constituents for Mr. McCartney "abandoning" them.
April 28th, 2011
jonesbahamas
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was so determined to get Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney to join its ranks that it held off on appointing a candidate to run in the constituency against him, according to party leader Perry Christie.
When Mr. McCartney resigned as state minister for immigration last year Mr. Christie immediately sprung into action to let him know that the party was interested in having him come on board.
A year later when he resigned from the Free National Movement (FNM) Mr. Christie again let Mr. McCartney know that the party was a "big tent" always in search of new talent.
But, in both instances Mr. McCartney declined the offers.
So, Mr. Christie moved on.
Now, the PLP leader said to date four people have applied to the PLP to run in the constituency.
"Quite frankly the delay in appointing a candidate to Bamboo Town was because we wanted to give certain political personalities an opportunity to determine whether they would wish to become a PLP," Mr. Christie said.
"So, we have finished that course now and are moving on to name a candidate for those seats that are remaining. I expect in a short period of time moving forward that we would have a candidate named, but the delay was occasioned by my wanting to give some people whose names I will not now call an opportunity to determine whether they wanted to be a PLP or something else."
Mr. McCartney has reportedly turned down offers to join other third parties, instead opting to form his own – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), which is set to launch next Monday.
"I support the right of Branville McCartney and others to form themselves into political organisations," Mr. Christie said.
"Branville McCartney’s difficulty is that (attorney) Paul Moss just announced a new political party and said that he has 23 candidates already, so clearly the scramble is on."
Mr. Christie said he believes most people will have to make a decision on which of the parties can realistically form a government.
As far as he is concerned, that choice will come down to two parties – the FNM and the PLP.
"I believe people would say that they want to give the PLP an opportunity because I believe they’re going to buy into and [realise] that Bahamians have to be meaningfully involved in the economy," he said.
FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham has, too, predicted that his party would once again represent Bamboo Town.
He recently went into the constituency to apologise to constituents for Mr. McCartney "abandoning" them.
April 28th, 2011
jonesbahamas
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Should the government borrow money to pay public servants more or should it tax the rest of the country to pay this particular group?
Govt should say no to public servants
thenassauguardian editorial
How much of the public purse should public servants be entitled to? Compensation to these workers is already around 55 to 60 percent of the national budget. Now the president of the Bahamas Public Services Union John Pinder wants the government to lift the freeze it placed on public service promotions and increments, arguing that inflation is overwhelming the resources of public servants.
This comes nearly a year after Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced the freeze in the 2010/2011 budget in May 2010.
Ingraham said public service promotions would be frozen, except in special cases, and that public service employment would also be frozen except in extenuating circumstances. At the time Ingraham said the government was making these adjustments to avoid job losses in the public service.
Pinder is right that inflation is a growing problem. The price of oil per barrel topped $113 yesterday. The entire country is bearing the burden of the increased cost of goods and services.
The solution to the problem, however, faced by public servants can’t simply be for the government to give them more compensation. Where would this money come from?
As we mentioned yesterday regarding the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on infrastructure work by the government, this money is borrowed. And it is borrowed at a time when the country’s debt to GDP ratio is rising. According to figures in the 2010/2011 mid-year budget document, that ratio has risen from 41 percent in 2006 to 56 percent in 2010.
Should the government borrow money to pay public servants more or should it tax the rest of the country to pay this particular group? The first move would be silly and the second unfair.
In the short term, Bahamians will have to conserve during this period of higher prices. In the long term, a policy is needed to introduce alternative energy sources that provide energy to the country at a lower cost than via the burning of fossil fuels.
It is wiser for Bahamians to save and spend wisely as opposed to the government borrowing money to pacify its employees.
The unions know that this is election time and at election time governments borrow and spend generously, seeking to gain votes. Therefore, the unions have started making demands on the treasury.
The cost of satisfying everyone in the short term will be risking the financial well being of the country in the long term.
4/28/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
How much of the public purse should public servants be entitled to? Compensation to these workers is already around 55 to 60 percent of the national budget. Now the president of the Bahamas Public Services Union John Pinder wants the government to lift the freeze it placed on public service promotions and increments, arguing that inflation is overwhelming the resources of public servants.
This comes nearly a year after Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced the freeze in the 2010/2011 budget in May 2010.
Ingraham said public service promotions would be frozen, except in special cases, and that public service employment would also be frozen except in extenuating circumstances. At the time Ingraham said the government was making these adjustments to avoid job losses in the public service.
Pinder is right that inflation is a growing problem. The price of oil per barrel topped $113 yesterday. The entire country is bearing the burden of the increased cost of goods and services.
The solution to the problem, however, faced by public servants can’t simply be for the government to give them more compensation. Where would this money come from?
As we mentioned yesterday regarding the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on infrastructure work by the government, this money is borrowed. And it is borrowed at a time when the country’s debt to GDP ratio is rising. According to figures in the 2010/2011 mid-year budget document, that ratio has risen from 41 percent in 2006 to 56 percent in 2010.
Should the government borrow money to pay public servants more or should it tax the rest of the country to pay this particular group? The first move would be silly and the second unfair.
In the short term, Bahamians will have to conserve during this period of higher prices. In the long term, a policy is needed to introduce alternative energy sources that provide energy to the country at a lower cost than via the burning of fossil fuels.
It is wiser for Bahamians to save and spend wisely as opposed to the government borrowing money to pacify its employees.
The unions know that this is election time and at election time governments borrow and spend generously, seeking to gain votes. Therefore, the unions have started making demands on the treasury.
The cost of satisfying everyone in the short term will be risking the financial well being of the country in the long term.
4/28/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Renward Wells - National Development Party (NDP) leader says that his party is still in the "valley of decisions" as it pertains to joining Branville McCartney's Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
NDP considers joining DNA party
tribune242
AN ANNOUNCEMENT is expected by the end of the week as to whether or not the National Development Party (NDP) will join with the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) or remain as a third party force going into the next general election.
According to NDP leader Renward Wells, his party is still in the "valley of decisions" as it pertains to the DNA, which was formed recently by former FNM Minister and now Independent MP Branville McCartney.
However, as it stands, Mr Wells said his party will not be making any comments as there are still a few "things to be worked out in the next couple of days." In the meantime, he said he would rather leave whatever "big announcement" will inevitably come to its "predetermined time."
Rumours have been circulating for weeks that the NDP had already dissolved itself and joined with Mr McCartney's DNA party, with Mr Wells and a few other prominent members of the NDP taking up key leadership roles.
Among the positions being reported, it is rumoured that Mr Wells had been promised the position of chairman, with his deputy leader, Lynden Nairn, becoming the deputy leader of the DNA. La'Tore Mackey, it is reported, would be promoted to the position of secretary general, while Mr McCartney remains as leader of the party.
Last week, Mr Wells indicated that his party would make a decision during that week as to its political future. This decision reportedly came days after activist and businessman Ethric Bowe resigned from the NDP after he was out-voted 18 to two over the group's plans to continue talks with outside political organisations.
On his Facebook page, Mr Bowe claimed a tyre on his car was slashed after the "contentious" meeting.
Mr Bowe left the party because he thought the NDP was "betraying" its core principles, explained Mr Wells, who added that the former's claims of a slashed tyre are unfounded.
However, all of the third party's attempts to amalgamate may be in vain as Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has dismissed their importance in the upcoming general election.
During a recent business opening, Mr Ingraham foreshadowed that the election will strictly be between the PLP and the FNM.
"Period, full stop ... that's who people are going to decide (from in) the next election of the Bahamas," Mr Ingraham said.
Attempts to reach Mr McCartney for comment were unsuccessful.
April 27, 2011
tribune242
Mark Holowesko says that he played no role in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) / Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) deal and is in no way connected to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC)
FNM calls PLP’s claims against Holowesko ‘bogus’
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday branded as ‘bogus’ the claims made by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) that professional money manager Mark Holowesko is involved in a conflict of interest as a member of the new Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) board.
Holowesko is a government representative on the board of BTC, which was recently privatized. The government sold 51 percent of the shares to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC).
Franklin Templeton Investment Funds lists Holowesko as a member of its board of directors.
Franklin Templeton holds shares in Cable and Wireless.
The PLP suggested that Holowesko is in a conflict of interest and questioned whose interests he will serve as a board member.
But the FNM said yesterday, “The opposition’s erroneous claim that Mr. Holowesko’s appointment involved a conflict of interest has been refuted in detail by the internationally well-regarded investment manager who noted that none of the funds he manages has shares in Cable and Wireless.
“With its typical lack of due diligence and sloppiness, the opposition even got wrong the actual investment fund on which Mr. Holowesko serves as a director.
“The FNM notes with great curiosity that these bogus claims of a conflict of interest were made by none other than PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts. The Bahamian people will appreciate this irony.”
Holowesko, who also strongly denied any conflict when he spoke to The Nassau Guardian recently, reiterated in a statement yesterday that he does not receive compensation from the Franklin Templeton group for his service as a board member for its European funds.
He explained: “The Franklin Templeton (FT) Investment Funds are Luxembourg based funds that operate under the SICAV (Societe d’ investissement a capital variable) umbrella. There are over 30 of these FT funds under this SICAV umbrella.
“The funds are separate legal entities that employ investment managers to manage the investment activities of each fund. I am a director of these funds, but I am not an employee or a director of any of these management companies.
“The investment managers hired for these funds are a variety of FT companies within the FT group of companies (again, none of which I am employed by, sit on the board, nor do I have any involvement or day-to-day investment activity).
“Some of the managers of these funds are investment companies in the US, some in Europe and some in Asia. Each of these funds holds dozens of securities, selected by the manager without prior knowledge or consultation with the directors.
“At any point in time it is not possible for me to know what investments are held in the various funds, nor is it my role to do so.
“With over 30 funds, and anywhere from 50 to 150 investments each, there are several thousand positions under the umbrella.
“At the end of December (last reporting period), the FT legal department has confirmed that some of these funds (four) held shares in Cable and Wireless. The decision to buy or sell these shares is not under my direction or control, and I do not participate at all with the investment manager in the evaluation of any of the shares.”
Holowesko stressed again that he played no role in the BTC/CWC deal and is in no way connected to CWC.
4/27/2011
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday branded as ‘bogus’ the claims made by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) that professional money manager Mark Holowesko is involved in a conflict of interest as a member of the new Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) board.
Holowesko is a government representative on the board of BTC, which was recently privatized. The government sold 51 percent of the shares to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC).
Franklin Templeton Investment Funds lists Holowesko as a member of its board of directors.
Franklin Templeton holds shares in Cable and Wireless.
The PLP suggested that Holowesko is in a conflict of interest and questioned whose interests he will serve as a board member.
But the FNM said yesterday, “The opposition’s erroneous claim that Mr. Holowesko’s appointment involved a conflict of interest has been refuted in detail by the internationally well-regarded investment manager who noted that none of the funds he manages has shares in Cable and Wireless.
“With its typical lack of due diligence and sloppiness, the opposition even got wrong the actual investment fund on which Mr. Holowesko serves as a director.
“The FNM notes with great curiosity that these bogus claims of a conflict of interest were made by none other than PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts. The Bahamian people will appreciate this irony.”
Holowesko, who also strongly denied any conflict when he spoke to The Nassau Guardian recently, reiterated in a statement yesterday that he does not receive compensation from the Franklin Templeton group for his service as a board member for its European funds.
He explained: “The Franklin Templeton (FT) Investment Funds are Luxembourg based funds that operate under the SICAV (Societe d’ investissement a capital variable) umbrella. There are over 30 of these FT funds under this SICAV umbrella.
“The funds are separate legal entities that employ investment managers to manage the investment activities of each fund. I am a director of these funds, but I am not an employee or a director of any of these management companies.
“The investment managers hired for these funds are a variety of FT companies within the FT group of companies (again, none of which I am employed by, sit on the board, nor do I have any involvement or day-to-day investment activity).
“Some of the managers of these funds are investment companies in the US, some in Europe and some in Asia. Each of these funds holds dozens of securities, selected by the manager without prior knowledge or consultation with the directors.
“At any point in time it is not possible for me to know what investments are held in the various funds, nor is it my role to do so.
“With over 30 funds, and anywhere from 50 to 150 investments each, there are several thousand positions under the umbrella.
“At the end of December (last reporting period), the FT legal department has confirmed that some of these funds (four) held shares in Cable and Wireless. The decision to buy or sell these shares is not under my direction or control, and I do not participate at all with the investment manager in the evaluation of any of the shares.”
Holowesko stressed again that he played no role in the BTC/CWC deal and is in no way connected to CWC.
4/27/2011
thenassauguardian
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The People's Deliverance Party (PDP) has elected PLP leadership hopeful Paul Moss as its leader
New political party elects Paul Moss as leader
By ALISON LOWE
Business Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net
THE newly-formed People's Deliverance Party (PDP) has elected PLP leadership hopeful Paul Moss as its leader and intends to run a full slate of candidates in the next general election, according to sources within the grouping.
The PDP "already has 23 candidates" lined up to run in constituencies throughout New Providence and the Family Islands and will have a markedly "pro-Bahamian" platform.
"They intend to launch on May 24," said a source close to the party yesterday. In addition to attorney, Mr Moss, Grand Bahamians Troy Garvey, a former NDP member, and Glen Rolle, are said to both have taken executive positions in the PDP.
The PDP will join the Democratic National Alliance, headed by former FNM MP, Branville McCartney and the National Development Party, as yet another outside political force that will vie for political power in the general election, against the mainstream parties, the PLP and the FNM. Outside political party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement, headed by Cassius Stuart, was earlier this month absorbed into the governing FNM party.
"We believe the Bahamian people are ready for it. Everywhere we go people are saying that they need change and want an alternative and we think that will bode well for us. We basically see this as the best time where we have the opportunity to come out and have an affect on the Bahamian people in a real way and we're excited about their chances," said a source within the PDP.
Speaking about the PDP's philosophy, the source said: "We believe we will run The Bahamas for Bahamians. We're not really moved by what we see in terms of these international companies and persons who may dictate to our government. Our party frowns on the decision of the Prime Minister to relax restraints on foreign ownership in restaurants and entertainment. We believe this is how you swallow up a culture.
"This movement is really about getting the Bahamas back on track. We went off track several decades ago, that is to say there was not a deliberate approach to assisting the Bahamas. The approach of this party will be very deliberate. That is what sets us apart."
As for how the party intends to finance its campaign, the source said the PDP has "no doubt" that it can do so. However, they added that they hope their ambitions for public office can also be facilitated by what they perceive to be a desire for change amongst Bahamians akin to that which brought the PLP to power for the first time.
"If one goes back to mid 60s where the PLP was vying to become the government they did not have all the resources either but there was a moment in that period when Bahamians said 'We are not going to be put on or turned on by money, we are going to do right by our children' and we believe this is that moment again.
"The money is fleeting but if you do what is right you will see the benefits for your children. We have sufficient funds but we know the moment is also right for a 1960s-type movement," said the source.
April 26, 2011
tribune242
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