Long Lines & Heat Concerns Frustrate Pineridge and West GB Voters

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GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS -Focusing on the Pineridge and Eight Mile Rock constituencies, many residents said that the process was disorganized and frustrating.

Long lines and even longer waits, that’s how many voters described their experience on Thursday.

In the Pineridge constituency, voters lined up at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre in Freeport, where several voiced concerns, particularly about conditions for the elderly.

Carneta Edgecombe – Pineridge voter

“This is not properly organized. I’m a senior citizen, 76 years old, and I should not be in the sun standing up, because at my age, you know, we have little conditions.”

Zz’nyah – Pineridge voter

“Open every poll. This doesn’t make any sense.”

Cumberbatch – Pineridge voter

“I’ve been out here a while, but it’s worth it.”

Pineridge voter

“The ones who are handicapped and in a wheelchair should’ve been accommodated better than this.”

At one point, an ambulance was called to the voting centre after a senior citizen reportedly suffered from heat exhaustion.

The incident alarmed onlookers.

Pineridge voter

“The ones who are handicapped and in a wheelchair should’ve been accommodated better than this.”

Meanwhile, independent candidate for Pineridge, Frederick McAlpine, described the situation as difficult, especially for senior citizens.

Our News team traveled to the Eight Mile Rock Gymnasium, where voters in West Grand Bahama were casting their ballots.

While some said the process there appeared slightly smoother, concerns about long wait times remained.

Cathlene Grant – Grand Bahama resident

“Some persons I picked up and dropped off this morning—that’s what I was doing—and seeing them just come out three or four hours after dropping them off, that was from 8 o’clock.”

Cathlene Grant – Grand Bahama resident

“Same thing as last year—no care for the elderly, the disabled, no shade whatsoever. I really thought in 2026 there would’ve been some progress. They say progress—no.”

Elise Higgs – West Grand Bahama voter

“Just take your time, be patient, and have a little respect. Don’t fight and fuss—you’ll get to do what you have to do, who you want to do it for.”

West Grand Bahama voter Clifford Taylor said he waited two hours to cast his ballot.

Clifford Taylor – West Grand Bahama voter

“It should be much easier. They are moving pretty slow.”

We also caught up with Free National Movement candidate for West Grand Bahama, Omar Isaacs, who was encouraged by voter turnout and support.

Omar Isaacs – FNM candidate, West Grand Bahama

“On the 12th of May, all you will hear is Isaacs, Isaacs, Isaacs. But for the most part today, good indicators—we see a lot of plain clothes coming out, FNM paraphernalia coming out.”