We Welcome the Report, My Team is Working on New Legislation

Advertisement

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The general election may have been more than three months ago, but observers around the region are calling for a more detailed and transparent electoral process, including campaign finance legislation and other sweeping reforms.

The details, released in an August 6 report by the CARICOM Election Observation Mission, which monitored The Bahamas’ general election in May.

And while the report praised election day protocols in New Providence and Grand Bahama, it did raise some concerns.

Observers are calling for an independent electoral management body, along with stronger logistical preparedness and operations within the Parliamentary Registration Department.

Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson says he’s seen the report and doesn’t find an issue with that recommendation.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“We thought about that for some time, and I will be looking at legislation. We have been working on it. We hope that that process will be completed as soon as possible.”

The observers also shared that instances of “xenophobic rhetoric regarding the Haitian community” were noted, which could have undermined voter confidence among Bahamians of Haitian descent.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“There may be some truth to it, I’m sure, but I cannot say based on the information we have. But we ended with 67 percent of the people turning out to vote who registered. Again, that’s one of the highest we have in the region.”

Concerns were also raised by stakeholders regarding allegations of vote buying.

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“During the political season, you hear a lot of things. And, you know, that’s why we ask the press to really do their due diligence and to investigate to see where these reports are coming from.”

Harrison Thompson – Parliamentary Commissioner

“Observers play an integral role in the electoral process. They have an independent eye out there, what happens during the elections.”

“I guess what was said by the former PM of Jamaica, it put a little more strength into how quickly we move forward.”