PLP, COI Will Pull Back on Campaigning During Lenten Season, Says Leaders

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – The Progressive Liberal Party will officially launch its election campaign on Monday, days before the start of the lenten season.

The news has spurred questions of concern that politics and piety will collide leading up to the next general election.

On Friday, PLP leader and Prime Minister Philip Davis, insisted that the campaigning will not interfere with the sacred season.

But will other political parties follow suit? And what does the church have to say about it?

At a ratification rally, Monday night for the final slate of Progressive Liberal Party candidates, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that the PLP would be launching its election campaign on February 16th- two days before one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar.

This year, the Lenten season spans 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins with Ash Wednesday on February 18th, ending just before the evening of Holy Thursday on April 2nd.

With political fanfare seemingly heating up, the timeline that has prompted some concern.

Addressing the issue, Davis said once Lent begins, the Progressive Liberal Party will suspend all public political events and activities, stressing that the religious observance will be fully respected.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“ I’m aware of that. And we would not have any political,public activities during that.”

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Independents (COI) is taking a similar position.
COI leader, Lincoln Bain, says while internal organizing may continue, there will be no public rallies during the Lenten period.

Lincon Bain – Leader, Coalition of Independents

“ I think it would be respectful to respect the religious beliefs of many Bahamians that during the Lenten period, that there should not be any rallies, etc. Of course we’ll have internal political events but not be rallies, etc.”

As the country prepares to enter the Lenten season, faith leaders are also weighing in.

Earlier this week, Anglican bishop of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos and the Right Reverend Laish Boyd, encouraged Bahamians to use the period for reflection and spiritual renewal.

When asked whether he had a message for politicians, heading into what is expected to be an active political season, a Boyd stressed that his focus remains on faith, not politics.

The Rt. Rev’d. Laish Boyd – Anglican Bishop

“ I’m not addressing politics. That’s not what we’re here for today. Secondly, I will say though, that we are entering the season of land. It is an important season. For the church, the church has an entire liturgical year where various focuses and priorities have their place. Lent is the time for spiritual house cleaning. “

We also tried to get the Free National Movement’s (FNM) take on the issue, but they were unavailable up to airtime.