By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
The decision by more than 1,700 registered voters not to participate in the Elizabeth by-election may indicate that a significant block of Bahamians either rejected, or are not interested in, the message being offered by either the Free National Movement or the Progressive Liberal Party.
When the recount is over, the winner of the by-election would have received just over 30 percent of the registered votes in the area.
With the PLP and the FNM having national base support somewhere between 30 and 40 percent each, it appears that not even all of the faithful showed up to vote on Tuesday.
The Bahamas is going through one of its worse economic periods since Independence. As a result of the global recession thousands of Bahamians are out of work. The level of violent crime in the country has also hit record levels.
In this context, an opposition party should be able to defeat the governing party in a by-election, in a classic swing seat.
The Christie-led PLP could not do this.
Conversely, it could be argued that the FNM should have done better. The PLP has moved from controversy to controversy since the last general election.
One PLP member of Parliament (Kenyatta Gibson) crossed the floor of the House of Assembly and joined the FNM; another (Malcolm Adderley) resigned, criticizing Christie; and former party senator (Pleasant Bridgewater) is about to face retrial on attempted extortion charges.
Neither party could use the strong negatives against the other to distance itself in this race. The voters in this swing seat have perceived little to no difference between the major parties.
The Elizabeth vote should force both leaders back to the drawing board to find new messages, policies and platforms if they are serious about running in 2012.
The results show that the Elizabeth campaign did not inspire.
However, what the results also show is that no matter how dissatisfied Bahamians may be with the PLP and the FNM, they will not support a third party.
The youthful enthusiasm of Cassius Stuart and Dr. Andre Rollins should be applauded. But if either man wants to ever sit in the House, he must put on either a yellow or red shirt.
This deep conservatism - Bahamians not being willing to try a third force - has a consequence. If Bahamians will not vote for others, then there is no pressure on either the PLP or FNM to reform their message; and there is also no pressure on the major parties to change the faces that lead the organization.
In this equation the major parties only need to defeat each other rather than seek to court voters.
Some observers argue that the number of voters who did not show up on Tuesday is likely less that 1,700. It is true that some people on the 2007 register may have moved or died since then.
This, though, would only reduce the number of non-voters by a few hundred.
The PLP and FNM must now face the reality that the degree of voter apathy in Elizabeth may exist in swing seats across the country.
The parties must determine if their message (or messengers) no longer appeal to voters.
Now, a saving grace for the major parties may be that many Elizabeth voters stayed at home waiting for the next general election, as they know that Tuesday's result will not change the overall balance of power in Parliament.
February 18, 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.
Showing posts with label Elizabeth voters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth voters. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ryan Pinder lashed on citizenship issue
By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
Although Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Elizabeth Ryan Pinder has announced that he has renounced his citizenship in the United States, a search of Florida voters yesterday still lists him as eligible to vote in that country.
Pinder is listed as a resident of Plantation, Florida.
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest raised the issue of Pinder's citizenship last night, when he addressed the final Free National Movement rally ahead of today's by-election in Elizabeth.
"Now that the heat is on, Mr. Pinder is saying that he has renounced his U.S. citizenship," Turnquest said.
"...I have nothing against Americans; I just don't want them to run The Bahamas."
Turnquest said Pinder's mother, wife and children are all still American citizens.
Pinder voted in Broward County, Florida, by absentee ballot in the November 4, 2008 general election and municipal elections, he said.
Turnquest noted that Pinder requested an absentee ballot on August 26, 2008; the ballot was mailed to him at 11841 Tara Drive, Plantation, Fla, 33325 on September 26, 2008, and he returned the completed ballot on October 30, 2008.
For the March 10, 2009 municipal general elections in Broward County, less than one year ago, Pinder requested an absentee ballot on February 13, 2009 and the ballot was mailed to him at his Plantation address on February 24, 2009, Turnquest told the crowd.
"If he was interested only in The Bahamas why is he voting in the United States of America?" Turnquest asked.
"In fact, Leo Ryan Pinder only registered in The Bahamas for the very first time in his life in October 2008.
He has never voted in The Bahamas before; not in 1997 when he was 22 years old; not in 2002, nor in 2007. He is now 35 years old and he has never voted in The Bahamas. He has only voted where he is a citizen and where he was interested in the affairs of that country. He has only voted in the USA and never in The Bahamas. Is this someone you want to try Elizabeth?"
Last night, Pinder told The Nassau Guardian that the reason why his name still appears on the U.S. voter register is that that register is only updated during election time.
"My U.S. citizenship is not an issue and renunciation is not an issue in this campaign," Pinder said. "I am focused on the good people of Elizabeth, addressing their issues and concerns as the representative and I will not be brought down into the personal attacks that the Free National Movement has found themselves involved in."
Asked whether it is true that he has never voted in an election in The Bahamas, Pinder said, "I am a registered voter in the Clifton constituency."
Pressed repeatedly on the matter, the PLP candidate said, "I did not reside in The Bahamas and it would have been illegal for me to vote in The Bahamas having not resided in The Bahamas."
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham also raised the citizenship issue when he addressed the FNM rally last night.
He said that in electing the FNM's candidate Dr. Duane Sands to Parliament, voters need not have any concern that he is not qualified to be an MP.
"An essential qualification to be an MP is that you must be a citizen of The Bahamas, and you must be that on the day you nominate for a seat, and on the day of your election to Parliament," Ingraham said.
Pinder told The Guardian that he renounced his U.S. citizenship prior to nominating, but he insisted it was not done for political reasons.
"It was completely voluntary," he said.
Asked whether the PLP asked Pinder to give up his U.S. citizenship, one senior PLP official told The Guardian that the party's candidate's committee asked Pinder to do "certain things" but he did not go further, saying the party's hierarchy had committed to keeping its discussions private.
Last night Ingraham told supporters, "Dr. Sands is a Bahamian citizen. Since the day of Independence he has been a citizen of The Bahamas. He is not now and has never been a citizen of any other country. He has no citizenship to renounce. He has only one loyalty. That is to our flag. He registered and votes in Bahamian elections, been doing so since he was 20 years old."
The prime minister said Elizabeth voters will decide today whether they want an MP who will be a part of the decision-making apparatus and structure of the FNM government or have an MP who would be in opposition.
"The choice for tomorrow is clear," he said. "I await your judgment."
February 16, 2010
thenassauguardian
Although Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Elizabeth Ryan Pinder has announced that he has renounced his citizenship in the United States, a search of Florida voters yesterday still lists him as eligible to vote in that country.
Pinder is listed as a resident of Plantation, Florida.
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest raised the issue of Pinder's citizenship last night, when he addressed the final Free National Movement rally ahead of today's by-election in Elizabeth.
"Now that the heat is on, Mr. Pinder is saying that he has renounced his U.S. citizenship," Turnquest said.
"...I have nothing against Americans; I just don't want them to run The Bahamas."
Turnquest said Pinder's mother, wife and children are all still American citizens.
Pinder voted in Broward County, Florida, by absentee ballot in the November 4, 2008 general election and municipal elections, he said.
Turnquest noted that Pinder requested an absentee ballot on August 26, 2008; the ballot was mailed to him at 11841 Tara Drive, Plantation, Fla, 33325 on September 26, 2008, and he returned the completed ballot on October 30, 2008.
For the March 10, 2009 municipal general elections in Broward County, less than one year ago, Pinder requested an absentee ballot on February 13, 2009 and the ballot was mailed to him at his Plantation address on February 24, 2009, Turnquest told the crowd.
"If he was interested only in The Bahamas why is he voting in the United States of America?" Turnquest asked.
"In fact, Leo Ryan Pinder only registered in The Bahamas for the very first time in his life in October 2008.
He has never voted in The Bahamas before; not in 1997 when he was 22 years old; not in 2002, nor in 2007. He is now 35 years old and he has never voted in The Bahamas. He has only voted where he is a citizen and where he was interested in the affairs of that country. He has only voted in the USA and never in The Bahamas. Is this someone you want to try Elizabeth?"
Last night, Pinder told The Nassau Guardian that the reason why his name still appears on the U.S. voter register is that that register is only updated during election time.
"My U.S. citizenship is not an issue and renunciation is not an issue in this campaign," Pinder said. "I am focused on the good people of Elizabeth, addressing their issues and concerns as the representative and I will not be brought down into the personal attacks that the Free National Movement has found themselves involved in."
Asked whether it is true that he has never voted in an election in The Bahamas, Pinder said, "I am a registered voter in the Clifton constituency."
Pressed repeatedly on the matter, the PLP candidate said, "I did not reside in The Bahamas and it would have been illegal for me to vote in The Bahamas having not resided in The Bahamas."
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham also raised the citizenship issue when he addressed the FNM rally last night.
He said that in electing the FNM's candidate Dr. Duane Sands to Parliament, voters need not have any concern that he is not qualified to be an MP.
"An essential qualification to be an MP is that you must be a citizen of The Bahamas, and you must be that on the day you nominate for a seat, and on the day of your election to Parliament," Ingraham said.
Pinder told The Guardian that he renounced his U.S. citizenship prior to nominating, but he insisted it was not done for political reasons.
"It was completely voluntary," he said.
Asked whether the PLP asked Pinder to give up his U.S. citizenship, one senior PLP official told The Guardian that the party's candidate's committee asked Pinder to do "certain things" but he did not go further, saying the party's hierarchy had committed to keeping its discussions private.
Last night Ingraham told supporters, "Dr. Sands is a Bahamian citizen. Since the day of Independence he has been a citizen of The Bahamas. He is not now and has never been a citizen of any other country. He has no citizenship to renounce. He has only one loyalty. That is to our flag. He registered and votes in Bahamian elections, been doing so since he was 20 years old."
The prime minister said Elizabeth voters will decide today whether they want an MP who will be a part of the decision-making apparatus and structure of the FNM government or have an MP who would be in opposition.
"The choice for tomorrow is clear," he said. "I await your judgment."
February 16, 2010
thenassauguardian
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham: Opposition Leader Perry Christie failed to use '07 constituency allowance
By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
Opposition Leader Perry Christie did not use any of the $100,000 allocated by the government for projects in his Farm Road constituency in 2007/2008, according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
But Christie explained that he was taking time to focus on completing necessary and effective projects.
Ingraham made the revelation on Sunday while responding to suggestions by the Progressive Liberal Party that the government would neglect Elizabeth if voters there do not elect Dr. Duane Sands as their member of Parliament next week.
"We continue to demonstrate that we don't do work in constituencies because of who [the constituents] support," said Ingraham during a news conference on Sunday.
"In fact, in some constituencies where we made monies available like $100,000 for the MPs to decide on what should be done in the constituency, people like Mr. Perry Christie in the first year didn't spend any of the money at all. He determined in the first year that there wasn't anything to be done while others like Yamacraw [MP Melanie Griffin] and St. Cecilia [Cynthia 'Mother' Pratt] overspent because they figured they had needs in their constituency to be dealt with."
Yesterday, Christie admitted that he took longer to spend his constituency allowance than others did, but he said it was not because there was no work to be done in that area.
Christie said that during the year in question, his constituency office was planning how best it could use the allowance.
He said plans are now in place to expand three parks in his constituency and to add bathroom facilities in at least two of the parks.
He said both the Hay Street park and the Sunlight Village park are heavily used and do not have bathrooms. The Fowler Street park needs to be expanded, he said.
Christie said he has asked the government to acquire adjoining property to make it larger, and to completely refurbish the park.
He said the work is extensive and would cost more than the $100,000 allowance.
"If he's saying that I didn't use the money as quickly as some of the other MPs, he's probably dead right," said Christie, who added that by planning what he would do more thoroughly he probably used the money more efficiently.
"I don't know what Ingraham was intending to achieve by making that announcement but my sense was that I had to somehow expand the parks and I'm doing that."
Christie said the Ministry of Works recently acknowledged that its employees visited the site and took measurements of the parks. It has also been acknowledged that the bids went out to complete the work, Christie added.
The government also allocated $100,000 in fiscal year 2008/2009 to each MP for projects in the various constituencies.
February 09, 2010
thenassauguardian
Opposition Leader Perry Christie did not use any of the $100,000 allocated by the government for projects in his Farm Road constituency in 2007/2008, according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
But Christie explained that he was taking time to focus on completing necessary and effective projects.
Ingraham made the revelation on Sunday while responding to suggestions by the Progressive Liberal Party that the government would neglect Elizabeth if voters there do not elect Dr. Duane Sands as their member of Parliament next week.
"We continue to demonstrate that we don't do work in constituencies because of who [the constituents] support," said Ingraham during a news conference on Sunday.
"In fact, in some constituencies where we made monies available like $100,000 for the MPs to decide on what should be done in the constituency, people like Mr. Perry Christie in the first year didn't spend any of the money at all. He determined in the first year that there wasn't anything to be done while others like Yamacraw [MP Melanie Griffin] and St. Cecilia [Cynthia 'Mother' Pratt] overspent because they figured they had needs in their constituency to be dealt with."
Yesterday, Christie admitted that he took longer to spend his constituency allowance than others did, but he said it was not because there was no work to be done in that area.
Christie said that during the year in question, his constituency office was planning how best it could use the allowance.
He said plans are now in place to expand three parks in his constituency and to add bathroom facilities in at least two of the parks.
He said both the Hay Street park and the Sunlight Village park are heavily used and do not have bathrooms. The Fowler Street park needs to be expanded, he said.
Christie said he has asked the government to acquire adjoining property to make it larger, and to completely refurbish the park.
He said the work is extensive and would cost more than the $100,000 allowance.
"If he's saying that I didn't use the money as quickly as some of the other MPs, he's probably dead right," said Christie, who added that by planning what he would do more thoroughly he probably used the money more efficiently.
"I don't know what Ingraham was intending to achieve by making that announcement but my sense was that I had to somehow expand the parks and I'm doing that."
Christie said the Ministry of Works recently acknowledged that its employees visited the site and took measurements of the parks. It has also been acknowledged that the bids went out to complete the work, Christie added.
The government also allocated $100,000 in fiscal year 2008/2009 to each MP for projects in the various constituencies.
February 09, 2010
thenassauguardian
Monday, February 8, 2010
The governing Free National Movement (FNM) to challenge questionable by-election votes
By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
Despite the fact that the register was purged of ineligible voters on Friday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said the Free National Movement has been unable to reach hundreds of registered Elizabeth voters and plans to challenge all questionable votes on election day - February 16.
"We made available to the [parliamentary] commissioner [Errol Bethel] a number of reports of our findings, all of which were not able to be disposed of satisfactorily before the register was closed on Friday. We would therefore make challenges of such voters on election day," said Ingraham, who was speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon in his capacity as FNM leader.
People eliminated from the register, according to Ingraham, included people who are dead, people who are registered in Elizabeth but who live in Yamacraw and those who have moved out of the constituency.
Ingraham said the FNM is seeking to verify the number of people who are still ineligible to vote.
"There are many vacant apartments in Elizabeth and many persons are registered to vote along those streets (where the vacant apartments are situated)," said Ingraham.
"And while we can't say with certainty - because the register is not compiled where we can say persons live in house 12 or apartment two etc. - the reality is that we haven't been able to find a number of persons and that would be in the hundreds. But we know who we couldn't find. Some of the people we couldn't find, we know they don't live in Elizabeth. We've also spoken to the neighbors. We've also spoken to landlords and we are fairly sure that a number of them are not entitled to vote even though they are on the register and we will challenge those votes."
According to Bethel there are 4,943 voters on the register.
He said no changes can be made to the register, but candidates could still lodge challenges they may have on election day.
Ingraham discouraged people not entitled to vote from trying to do so.
"I want to use this opportunity to say if you are not living in Elizabeth, if you were registered to vote there before the last election, if you moved out for more than six months, please do not show up to vote. If you were not living there for at least three months before you registered to vote, you are not entitled to vote there. Please do not show up to vote," he reiterated.
"We have a fair idea of the names and addresses of persons who have registered in Elizabeth who do not live there. We also have a fair idea of persons who have moved out of Elizabeth and other cases (of persons) who do not live there period. We also know all of those people who were registered to vote, who are now in prison and not entitled to vote."
Ingraham said the government will make several changes to prevent such discrepancies when the general election rolls around.
"The first thing we will do is make sure that competent people are doing the register. We will not seek to choose FNM or PLP supporters to do so."
He said the government will ensure that people who have experience will man the registers. He added that the people who worked in the offices during previous elections are still alive and can be called upon if necessary.
"The next election there will not be a problem with the register, because you have a prime minister who will have his hands on the tiller... who will make sure to do his job, which is what the prime minister is supposed to do, ensure that the country is able to have a reliable voter register where people can go and vote for the candidate of their choice, without worrying whether hanky panky is taking place," he said.
Additionally, he said all streets will have names and houses will have numbers. Ingraham said that will cut out some of the confusion that exists today.
In regards to the FNM's chances of winning the by-election, Ingraham said after visiting virtually every occupied dwelling house in the constituency, the FNM "feels good about the response that we've gotten."
He added that win or lose, the FNM will not be going to election court.
"We win on election day or we lose on election day," he said.
Polling stations include: Thelma Gibson Primary School in Elizabeth Estates, Faith Temple Christian Academy on Prince Charles Drive, Church of God and New Dimension Ministries, both on Joe Farrington Road.
February 08, 2010
thenassauguardian
Despite the fact that the register was purged of ineligible voters on Friday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said the Free National Movement has been unable to reach hundreds of registered Elizabeth voters and plans to challenge all questionable votes on election day - February 16.
"We made available to the [parliamentary] commissioner [Errol Bethel] a number of reports of our findings, all of which were not able to be disposed of satisfactorily before the register was closed on Friday. We would therefore make challenges of such voters on election day," said Ingraham, who was speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon in his capacity as FNM leader.
People eliminated from the register, according to Ingraham, included people who are dead, people who are registered in Elizabeth but who live in Yamacraw and those who have moved out of the constituency.
Ingraham said the FNM is seeking to verify the number of people who are still ineligible to vote.
"There are many vacant apartments in Elizabeth and many persons are registered to vote along those streets (where the vacant apartments are situated)," said Ingraham.
"And while we can't say with certainty - because the register is not compiled where we can say persons live in house 12 or apartment two etc. - the reality is that we haven't been able to find a number of persons and that would be in the hundreds. But we know who we couldn't find. Some of the people we couldn't find, we know they don't live in Elizabeth. We've also spoken to the neighbors. We've also spoken to landlords and we are fairly sure that a number of them are not entitled to vote even though they are on the register and we will challenge those votes."
According to Bethel there are 4,943 voters on the register.
He said no changes can be made to the register, but candidates could still lodge challenges they may have on election day.
Ingraham discouraged people not entitled to vote from trying to do so.
"I want to use this opportunity to say if you are not living in Elizabeth, if you were registered to vote there before the last election, if you moved out for more than six months, please do not show up to vote. If you were not living there for at least three months before you registered to vote, you are not entitled to vote there. Please do not show up to vote," he reiterated.
"We have a fair idea of the names and addresses of persons who have registered in Elizabeth who do not live there. We also have a fair idea of persons who have moved out of Elizabeth and other cases (of persons) who do not live there period. We also know all of those people who were registered to vote, who are now in prison and not entitled to vote."
Ingraham said the government will make several changes to prevent such discrepancies when the general election rolls around.
"The first thing we will do is make sure that competent people are doing the register. We will not seek to choose FNM or PLP supporters to do so."
He said the government will ensure that people who have experience will man the registers. He added that the people who worked in the offices during previous elections are still alive and can be called upon if necessary.
"The next election there will not be a problem with the register, because you have a prime minister who will have his hands on the tiller... who will make sure to do his job, which is what the prime minister is supposed to do, ensure that the country is able to have a reliable voter register where people can go and vote for the candidate of their choice, without worrying whether hanky panky is taking place," he said.
Additionally, he said all streets will have names and houses will have numbers. Ingraham said that will cut out some of the confusion that exists today.
In regards to the FNM's chances of winning the by-election, Ingraham said after visiting virtually every occupied dwelling house in the constituency, the FNM "feels good about the response that we've gotten."
He added that win or lose, the FNM will not be going to election court.
"We win on election day or we lose on election day," he said.
Polling stations include: Thelma Gibson Primary School in Elizabeth Estates, Faith Temple Christian Academy on Prince Charles Drive, Church of God and New Dimension Ministries, both on Joe Farrington Road.
February 08, 2010
thenassauguardian
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