Serious Allegations in the East

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Early voting troubles continued in Mid-East and Far East constituencies, even with allegations of voter intimidation.

Voter

“I mean, the process was good.”

That’s how this young voter felt Thursday morning, as she cast her vote at the Doris Johnson advance poll station.

When we spoke with her after 9 a.m., she described the process as smooth.

Just two hours later, we spoke with another voter who shared a much different experience, describing it as discouraging.

She predicted that if this persists on election day, young voters might be deterred.

Voter

“When I came in, I noticed there was a long line, especially for senior citizens. I know now a lot of young people, if they’re trying to get young people to come out and vote, especially if it’s their first or second time, they’re going to get turned off and they’re going to walk away.”

As the day went on, the issues escalated, with both voters and candidates raising concerns.

At Thelma Gibson Primary School, the Coalition of Independents candidate for Elizabeth, Donna Dorsett-Major, took aim at the Progressive Liberal Party incumbent, JoBeth Coleby-Davis, describing her as disrespectful.

Donna Dorsett-Major – COI candidate, Elizabeth

“This is how disrespectful they are. If they were a part of my team, I would reprimand them, because you are giving me an interview.”

The most disturbing accusation was leveled at Doris Johnson.

The FNM’s candidate for the St. Anne’s constituency, Adrian White, accused his PLP opponent, Keno Wong, of voter intimidation.

Adrian White – FNM candidate, St. Anne’s

“There’s been an incident reported to me by one of my senior team members, one of our campaign managers. He had been in polling division ten three days ago, and today he told me this is the second time there has been an incident here, that the PLP candidate for St. Anne’s, Keno Wong, looked at him, tapped his pocket in a menacing manner, and said, ‘I have something here for you,’ and that was taken as a threat. That was reported to Superintendent Miller, who is in charge of the Fox Hill Police Station, and also to Returning Officer Watson.”

Wong denied the allegation, describing it as nonsense.

Keno Wong – PLP candidate, St. Anne’s

“We are running a clean campaign, staying focused, and we are trusting the process. Once again, this candidate, this man, has never threatened or said anything to any voter this morning as it relates to threats.”

Returning officer at Doris Johnson, Lavelle Watson, told Our News that no reports were made to him, but any such report would be handled through the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office.