Voters Across Cat Island Say Progress Influenced Their Choice

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CAT ISLAND, BAHAMAS – From Orange Creek, Arthur’s Town, Dumfries in the north, to communities in the south, residents across Cat Island made their way to polling divisions to cast their ballots on Tuesday.

Voters had three choices on the ballot, incumbent prime minister Philip Davis representing the Progressive Liberal Party, Free National Movement candidate Mike Holmes, and Coalition of Independents candidate Donna McKay.

However for many residents, the choice was clear.

Resident –

“This one on lock baby, you need a master kay to pry this one open.”

Melonie Rahming – Resident, Authur’s Town Resident

“…. I am voting for the person himself mainly because he’s a man who cares, he’s a man. You have a boy, he’s a man…he’s a man that’s god-fearing and he looks out for the people…that was my first reason for supporting him.”

Others we spoke to pointed to the visible infrastructure work now underway on the islands, which is what persuaded their decision.

Cleophas Reckley – Resident, Cat Island

“What is going on now, I wanted to continue. The road is happening, the airport is happening and there’s more plans [that need] to be done. I’d like to see that continue without talking, so I guess should I know.”

Yontalay Kirkendall, a former Free National Movement vice chairman, says after years with the party, she decided it was time for a change.

Yontalay Kirkendall –

“To the Progressive Liberal Party, I stood up on Nomination Day on the side of the prime minister. I got the photo, and I could’ve just feel the blessings, I could just feel the energy of knowing the progress of Cat Island.”

Then, for some first-time voters, they say the decision was easy.

Junior Johnson – First Time Voter

“What my prime minister do for me, do for my island…it was really easy for me, I’d be a fool to go against that.”

Dr. Kolli Apparao, an Indian-born doctor says after waiting nearly three decades for citizenship, he was proud to finally cast a ballot in The Bahamas.

Dr. Kolli Apparao – Cat Island Resident

“We need a lot of development in this island, and I am originally from India, but I’m seeing the development happening in Bahamas, so we have to go forward because this is a fast track world.”

In the end, many residents say they believe the constituency is moving in the right direction, and hope the next government continues to build on that momentum.

Stanley Webb – Resident, Business Owner

“Right now if you’re not choosing progress, you would be choosing wrong…”