Easter Monday Sees Surge in Voter Registration

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The parking lot of the Parliamentary Registration Department was packed on an Easter Monday as dozens of people waited inside to get registered last minute.

Last Thursday it was announced that holiday hours would be extended to give those a chance to register to vote, as speculation builds that the House of Assembly would be dissolved this week.

Resident Mr. Eve says he was happy to finally get registered.

Mr. Eve – Resident

“Man I glad, I was doing some work I say let me go try and get this now, and I get it, because I really wanted to get it, but I gone and come back. It was good.”

“If you lose ya register, they gat a thing you put it in there and they get something. The police right there to assist you, they get everyone assisting you, whatever you need to do, if you don’t know what to do, they get people to assist you.”

Ms. Newman also agreed saying despite reports of long lines and frustration, she got in and out pretty quickly.

Ms. Newman – Resident

“I like the fact that they have two separate lines – they have a line for transfers. They have a line for people [who] are getting registered, and they have the kiosk system to help persons who are already registered where they don’t have to sit in these long lines to find out that they don’t even need to be here today.”

First time voter Alex Moss shares why registering matters.

Alex Moss – Resident

“Just knowing you have a voice when you register [you know]. That’s like the important thing, to be able to say I’m a citizen, I have a voice too.”

Aside from the Parliamentary Registration Department Headquarters, there are other registration centers across the island – Kendal G.L Issacs Gym, Fox Hill Community Center, and Gambier Primary School.

Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson gives this update on the process:

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“The process seems to be going smoothly. I just came from the Kendal Issac’s Gym, and they have a system in place [where] we have five teams there registering our people. So things are moving smoothly.”