BPSU Projected President Defends Voting Process

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) elections may be over, but the back-and-forth over how it was conducted is not.

Members went to the polls last week, with Alexander Burrows Jr.’s Power Team defeating the United Workers Team, led by Craig Bethel.

However, members of the United Workers Team have since raised questions over whether proper procedures were followed during the election.

Burrows says he finds that argument difficult to understand, because the election committee had control of the process from start to finish.

Alexander Burrows Jr. – President, Bahamas Public Service Union

“  The former assistant secretary general had carriage over the election committee. So whatever the process was…they were the ones that were in charge of every single item on and during the election process…”

Burrows says the seven-member committee included representatives from both sides.

He claims Bethel’s side actually had greater representation among those overseeing the election, and says that concerns being raised are now even more puzzling.

Alexander Burrows Jr. – President, Bahamas Public Service Union

“ What it sounds like to me is they are pounding it as sour grapes. That’s what it sounds like to me…”

Burrows, however, acknowledges there were some problems on election day.

He says there was confusion over voter registers and which polling stations some members were supposed to use.

However, despite this, he maintains those issues were under the control of the election committee and did not change the final outcome.

Meantime, Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle says she has not been notified of any formal challenge to the results.

She says the report she received from the registrar confirmed Burrows’ Power Team as the successful team.

Pia Glover-Rolle – Minister, Labor, Public Service and NIB

“ I’m not aware of any filings at this time. I have received a report from the registrar with the final results saying that Mr. Burrows’ team, which I think is known as the Power Team, has been successful in winning the BPSU election, but I have not any record of any challenges at this time.”

Whether this marks the conclusion of the BSPU election dispute, or the beginning of a formal challenge, we’ll have to wait and see.