With campaign season in full swing and the 2017 General Elections on the horizon, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall has urged Bahamians to get out and register early as the old registry expired yesterday.
Hall said the issuance of brand new purple cards will differentiate this year’s registry from the previous one.
“The 2012 register ends today as it marks the end of the five year period, from 2011-2016.
“That means as of Friday we can’t register any person on the gold or yellow card any longer.
“The parliamentary act also mandates that soon as that register expires, as of Friday the new registry for 2017 begins with the issuance of purple cards that are automated by law,” Mr. Hall said.
With 40,000 of the eligible 180,000 already registered, Hall said that his team plans to duplicate the numbers from the previous registry.
“On the current register we have about 180,000; I would hope to achieve that figure god willing next year. In 2012 we had 172,000 on the register so we hope to achieve no less than 2012 figures,” Mr. Hall said.
He lamented that Bahamians should get out early in order to avoid any potential hassles or long lines and come prepared with the necessary documents.
“We appeal to applicants to come in and catch the lines while they’re short.
“Get out early with your passport or birth certificate.Those born after 1973 should bring their birth certificate along with their mother’s passport and birth certificate to confirm that their mother is indeed a Bahamian citizen,” Mr. Hall said.
The Parliamentary Registry has faced heavy scrutiny over the past few months due to its ineptness during the Constitutional Referendum, with the department failing to provide report totals in a timely manner.
Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins had called for the “immediate” resignation of Mr. Hall over his handling of the June 7 constitutional referendum.
Dr. Rollins added that given the way the Westminster system operates, both Prime Minister Perry Christie and National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage, who has referendums and elections in his portfolio, ought to have also resigned because of the way the vote was handled.
There were also claims of a potential cover-up after the debacle and Democratic National Alliance Leader (DNA) Branville McCartney also called for Hall’s resignation.
McCartney questioned how PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts was able to concede on behalf of his party before the official results were released to the public.
