Police Ramp Up Security At The By-Election Polls 

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Following the chaotic scenes that unfolded during last week’s advanced poll, police were taking no chances today as voters headed to the polls in the Golden Isles constituency. A noticeably stronger police presence and tighter crowd control measures were put in place at both polling sites, signaling a clear shift in security strategy.

The calm atmosphere on Monday morning was a stark contrast to last Monday, November 17th, 2025, when supporters blocked the ballot box convoy as it attempted to leave Remnant Tabernacle on Carmichael Road. That incident, fueled by concerns from Free National Movement (FNM) and Coalition of Independents (COI) supporters about how the ballot boxes were being moved, quickly spiraled into confusion and confrontation.

Today, however, the scene at Anatol Rodgers High School, home to ten polling divisions, was notably orderly. Dozens of police officers, both uniformed and plain clothed, were stationed around the campus along with crowd-control barricades guiding foot traffic.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Mareno Hines confirmed officers were on site “from very early” as ballot boxes were collected and transported. He said large groups of supporters were gathered outside before the 8 a.m. opening but remained calm and cooperative.

“Right at 8 o’clock the stations were opened, and we allowed the people to traverse the gates so they could vote,” Hines said.

While Hines declined to share the exact number of officers deployed, citing security reasons, he maintained that enough manpower was on the ground to address any potential issues.

One of the main problems during last week’s advanced poll was the loud, competing music blaring from both PLP and FNM tents. Hines said that would not be tolerated today. Officers intervened when a PLP flatbed truck pulled up blasting music, ordering the driver to silence the speakers.

“This is a sacred place during this time,” Hines said. “We don’t want to send the message that anything perceived as unfair is going to be allowed.”

The shift in tone and enforcement appeared effective, creating a much calmer and more controlled environment for voters throughout the morning.