Three candidates have been confirmed to run in the North Abaco bye-election scheduled for October 15 after a Free National Movement (FNM), Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Bahamas Constitution Party (BCP) candidate made their nominations official Wednesday.
When the nomination polls closed at noon Wednesday three candidates put forth their bids for the vacant North Abaco seat.
BCP Servant Leader Ali McIntosh was the first to nominate yesterday morning at the Cooper’s Town Administrators Building, but a minor glitch in the system nearly caused her the nomination bid.
“The nomination was very well,” she said. “We did have a little incident this morning, though, one of the persons who had signed up on my nomination papers, their name was not on the register; I don’t know how come, but that is what happened.”
“So I had to go and get another signature. I went right down the street so that was fine. But we were able to nominate successfully, so officially I am on register for the bye-election.”
All nominees were required to pay $400 cash deposit in Bahamian currency, submit a declaration of their financial assets and liabilities signed by a Justice of the Peace and the signatures of five people registered to vote in that constituency.
But, after the returning officer notified Ms. McIntosh that one of the five names she put forth was not on the list, she was forced to ask people in the area to be that fifth signatory.
After more than five minutes of asking around she finally found someone to complete her nomination requirements.
Just after 10:00 a.m., FNM candidate, Greg Gomez headed to the nomination site complete with a motorcade and fanfare.
Mr. Gomez presented four $100 bills as well as the required documents, making his nomination official.
“North Abaco, I want you to stand with me,” Mr. Gomez told a riled up crowd. “Come October 15 when the polls are closed, we want it to be said that that Abaco is altogether, in the north and the south all red.”
“We are challenging every area. There is no area that we the FNM will not challenge. People are saying that Murphy Town is a (PLP) stronghold, but Murphy Town we are going to challenge you. On October 15, we will pull it through.”
In the final hour of the three-hour nomination timeframe the PLP’s candidate, Renardo Curry nominated presenting eight $50 Bahamian bills and the required documents.
This is the second time Mr. Curry has run for this constituency in less than five months.
But Mr. Curry said he is confident that this time is his time.
“I feel happy to be here today and to nominate today,” Mr. Curry said. “We are excited and this is my second time here and I believe we are going to do it. It’s all about our people.”
The PLP candidate lost the seat to former North Abaco MP and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on May 7 by fewer than 500 votes.
The North Abaco race could have been a four way race as it was speculated that Cay Mills – who previously sought a nomination from the FNM – would nominate.
But while he told reporters that he had the money and the documents he said he was missing one crucial factor.
“I have lost the passion,” Mr. Mills said. “I have everything else; I brought all the documents with me, but I have not made up my mind as yet.”
“I am just waiting to get that passion in me once again.”
But, up to closing time returning officer on that island Charles King said Mr. Mills had not done so.
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) did not offer a candidate in the race.
Mr. Ingraham was MP for North Abaco for 35 years, but resigned last month after his party lost the May 7 General Election.
