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.
