Fire Alarm Disrupts Voter Register Release & Sparks Political Tensions

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – There was confusion and controversy at the Parliamentary Registration Department on Monday, after a fire alarm forced an unexpected shutdown just as political parties were expecting to receive the official voter register.

The alarm sounded shortly after 1 p.m., halting operations and fueling claims from the Free National Movement that the disruption was more than just a coincidence.

The concerns come just one day after FNM Chairman Dr. Duane Sands accused the department of missing its deadline to release the register.

The party’s attorney, Michael Scott, said they were assured the list would be ready by 11 this morning, but claim they never received it.

Then, the alarm.

The FNM is alleged that the interruption may have been a political ploy, even suggesting they were left waiting while others — namely the governing party — may have already received access.

Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson pushed back, insisting the alarm was a legitimate emergency and not politically motivated.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“Well, there’s no discrimination as far as my office is concerned. I don’t know what you feel out there, but everybody who came in earlier got their register, they signed for it, we have the records there, and we know who received the register and who didn’t. There’s no particular party that was given any preference today in receiving the register.”

Thompson also rejected claims of any imbalance in distribution.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“It’s not only the FNM or the PLP. Both have not received it. We asked them to show up after 11, but somehow this incident happened.”

As for the alarm itself, Thompson said that matter is now under investigation.

Still, the opposition is not convinced.

FNM legal advisor Michael Scott called the day’s events troubling and raising concerns about the overall election process.

Michael Scott – Attorney for the Free National Movement

“The process seems to be fraught with delay, seems to be fraught with confusion. The whole process seems to be mired in confusion, and we’ve got to get a grip on this because if this continues, we will not be in a position to have a proper election on the 12th of May, and I would hate to see the election, for any reason, delayed.”

Scott also took an issue with the fixed voter register, arguing it increases the risk of errors without periodic re-registration to clean up the list.

However, Thompson continued to defend his office, stating that Monday was the deadline according to the Parliamentary Elections Act for the register to be ready, and they are upholding that.