The bye-election on Monday in the Golden Isles constituency will be a
major test for political parties in The Bahamas. Pundits and Polticos
across the country are watching closely for the outcome to determine
the popularity of the governing Progressive Liberal Party and two
organizations in opposition, the Free National Movement  and the
Coalition of Independent Candidates.
   
While there was no scientific consensus on the advanced poll for early
voters on Tuesday, all sides claim satisfaction in the support they
received.
   
A win for the PLP would amount to a vote of confidence in the
government and its leadership.  It would also signal a lack of
confidence in the leadership of the FNM.  For the COI it would
indicate whether it should be taken seriously as a major political entity
and a contender to govern the country.
  
A PLP win would mark the second time that the party receives the
endorsement of the Bahamian people since the Davis administration
came to office in September, 2021. The first came in a bye-election in
the West End and Bimini constituency after the death of the former
PLP MP, Obie Wilchcombe.  At that time the PLP won handily over the
two opposition entities.
  
The advanced polling this week was fraught with some controversy. 
There was criticism by the political parties over the behaviour of
supporters around the voting area as well as the procedure for the
transporting of the ballot box by the presiding officer.

Yesterday, the Deputy National Campaign Coordinator for the PLP,
Attorney Valentine Grimes dispatched a letter to the Commissioner of
Police on an incident which occurred and promised the cooperation of
his organization for Monday’s bye-election.

He wrote: “On Monday night, there were two occasions when our
National Campaign Coordinator, Mr. Jerome Fitzgerald, was asked by Senior Chief Superintendent Nixon to have our supporters move back across the street and away from
the gate. Mr. Fitzgerald did so immediately each time. Supporters of the Free National Movement refused to move and remained gathered
at the gate, intent on blocking the entrance. Our supporters then attempted
to assist in allowing the vehicle containing the ballot box to safely exit
the premises.

Madame Commissioner, our team did not play music on Monday
morning. We raised our concern regarding the music being played by
others with Senior Chief Superintendent Nixon. No action was taken
to address the matter, and we were left with no reasonable alternative
but to provide music for our own supporters to maintain calm and
order on our side of the street.

We have given the full assurance of our Leader and Prime Minister,
the Honourable Philip Davis, that the Progressive Liberal Party will
provide complete support to the Police. There was no alcohol on site
on Monday, and there will be none next Monday.

We have agreed to provide Assistant Commissioner Dames and
Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson with the names and
mobile numbers for Mr. Fitzgerald and myself, along with several
senior members of the PLP Campaign Team. Should the Police need
to reach us at any point next Monday, they will be able to do so without delay.

We share the Police Force’s desire to avoid any repeat of the events
witnessed on Monday evening. We will support the Police in
maintaining order, and we will not tolerate any attempt by agitators to
undermine public safety or disrupt the lawful execution of democratic
duties.”