National

FNM Calls For Election Integrity Following Advance Poll Drama

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – FNM executive says that the party has some concerns surrounding the management of the ballot and it must be addressed before November 24, 2025.

Published

5 months ago

November 18, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As the countdown to Monday’s by-election continues, the Free National Movement is calling for greater transparency after tensions flared during Monday’s advance poll in the Golden Isles constituency.

On Tuesday morning, after the commotion, party officials described the voter turnout as encouraging but said several issues surrounding the handling of ballots must be addressed before election day.

FNM Chairman Dr. Duane Sands said the party remains confident heading into the by-election but insisted that concerns about the process cannot be ignored.

“Our democracy only works when the people can have full confidence that every vote is treated with care, integrity, and fairness,” Sands said outside the Parliamentary Registration Department. “From the moment it is cast to the moment that it is counted.”

The party says energy on the ground for candidate Brian Brown was strong. But chaos erupted shortly after polls closed when FNM and COI supporters formed a human barricade, blocking the convoy transporting ballot boxes from leaving the Remnant Tabernacle polling site.

Progressive Liberal Party officials dismissed the scene as political theatre, but Sands pushed back.

“Anyone with eyes to see would know there were serious concerns,” he said. “We want to go on record to let them know that we are watching.”

The party’s attorney, Khalil Parker, outlined several issues he says must be corrected before Monday, November 24th, including disagreements over how ballots were packaged, escorted, and transported.

“We had agreements as to the packaging of the votes, the escort of the votes and the destination of the votes,” Parker said. “It should not have taken as long as it took, and it should not have required us to be as robust as we were to defend the integrity of the exercise.”

Despite those concerns, Brown says he is ready.

“Golden Isles is ready to vote,” he said. “We’re ready for the 24th and we will make sure the process is taken care of.”

The Parliamentary Registration Department maintains that the process was handled appropriately. Still, with tensions rising and political parties on high alert, all eyes will be on Golden Isles as voters head to the polls Monday.