Biometric Cards Rollout Ahead of Advance Poll Register Surge

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Just days before thousands of voters are expected to cast ballots in Thursday’s advance polls, biometric voter cards are now being rolled out across New Providence, and officials say there has been a surge in registration for the advance poll.

Election officials are ramping up preparations for the upcoming general election.

Though some cards have been distributed in recent months, Monday marked the official start of the biometric card rollout.

It comes as officials sai that registration spiked for Thursday’s advance poll.

Registration stands at 20,000 applicants, with just over 400 voters overseas, setting the stage for what Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson said will be a robust early voting process.

Thompson confirmed that 12 polling stations will be set up across Nassau and five in Grand Bahama.

A key location, the University of The Bahamas, will also serve Family Islanders who are registered to vote in the advance polls.

Questions remain about how overseas voters will cast their ballots, especially in areas with low registration numbers.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“Consulate in LA now, but I am trying to work out with LA. They would like to come home to vote. It’s about seven persons who registered in LA. I’ll be there in the balance now — it may be more effective to send a team or to allow those persons to come home.”

Thompson said that officials are leaning toward bringing those voters back to The Bahamas, noting that the cost may be more practical than deploying a full team overseas, with expenses expected to fall on the Parliamentary Department.

Meanwhile, the rollout of biometric voter cards officially began with several satellite stations now open across New Providence.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“Satellite stations set up at Carmichael Post Office, Cable Beach Post Office, South Beach Post Office, Town Centre Mall, Nassau Village Community Centre, Fox Hill Community Centre, Elizabeth Estates Post Office, and the Parliamentary Registration Department.”

Each location has specific constituencies assigned, and voters are being encouraged to contact the Parliamentary Registration Department if they are unsure where to collect their card.

For the next two weeks, stations will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for card collection.

Officials said that both the new biometric cards and the existing purple voters’ cards will be accepted in the upcoming general election.

Thompson is also asking for patience as the rollout continues.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“Please go to those satellite stations and pick up your card. We are still rolling out the cards. If your card is not available, don’t give up — they should be ready in a matter of days.”