By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Carl Bethel has confirmed that the governing party will not be announcing candidates for the next general election at this time, as has been done by the opposition party.
"We are not involved in that process as of yet," said Bethel yesterday in an interview.
PLP leader Perry Christie told The Nassau Guardian on Sunday that the nomination and selection process would be ongoing in that party.
The PLP ratified four candidates last Thursday.
Senators Jerome Fitzgerald (Marathon), Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles), Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal Major (Garden Hills) will run for the PLP in the next general election.
Christie added that it's important to ratify and introduce candidates to the various constituents as early as possible because of the changing needs of Bahamians and what they look for in their respective representatives.
Bethel said he is not surprised that the PLP moved to nominate candidates early.
"Oppositions do that type of thing. That's standard fare for opposition parties – that you nominate your candidates early in an attempt to, in a sense, give them a little stature when they go out into the field," he said.
As time goes, Christie confirmed that the PLP would name its candidates on a steady basis.
A party source said that it is possible that the PLP would continuously name candidates for seats it does not currently hold each month at its National General Council meeting.
The process of deciding which sitting PLP MP will or will not again receive nominations will take more time, the source said.
A general election must be held by 2012.
If Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham waits until then to call the poll, it would mean that the PLP began the ratification process two years before the general election.
In 2007, even though Christie called the general election, the PLP did not announce its slate of candidates until about six weeks before the vote.
The FNM's chairman said his party would not be directed with its candidate selection process based on the moves by the PLP.
"We at least have the ability to have a little more say over the timing of events. While it is necessary to always have regard to the political dimension, what the Bahamian people need right now from the governing party is government," he said.
"What the country needs is a steady hand on the tiller leading this country in correct direction and to take decisions that are based on the best interests of the Bahamian people and not on political considerations."
Bethel said this is what the government is focused on.
It is still unclear if Prime Minister Ingraham will lead the FNM into the next general election. Ingraham has said he would inform the country of his decision by the end of the year.
Christie has confirmed his intention to run again as PLP leader.
March 23, 2010
thenassauguardian
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.
