National

From Candidates to Citizens: Voting Hiccups for Family Islanders

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The country’s premier tertiary institution became a center for democracy today, as Family Island voters turned out to participate in the advance poll.

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Megan Shepherd

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The country’s premier tertiary institution became a center for democracy today, as Family Island voters turned out to participate in the advance poll.

From members of the armed forces to pregnant women and those who will be out of the country for approved reasons on May 12, Bahamians turned out slowly but surely to mark their Xs.

Some of those voters, however, experienced a few small hiccups.

It was a slow start at the University of The Bahamas, as residents from across the archipelago, including Eleuthera, Abaco, and Andros, turned out to take part in the advance poll.

FNM candidate for Exuma and Ragged Islands, Debra Moxey-Rolle, shared that while this is an exciting time for residents to let their voices be heard through the ballots, for some on the Family Islands, it could be a costly venture.

When asked about any concerns for today’s or May 12’s election, Moxey-Rolle expressed that there are many.

Not long after, candidate for North Andros, Leonardo Lightbourne, experienced one of those smaller challenges.

There were also discrepancies for Andros resident Doris Kemp and Harbour Island councillor Joseph Percentie.

But for other residents, it was a smooth process to cast their votes.

Incumbent candidate for Exuma and Ragged Islands, Chester Cooper, also weighed in on today’s challenges.