The Parliamentary Commissioner of the Bahamas, Harrison Thompson, has confirmed that Family Island residents initially unable to register in New Providence have now been successfully processed. This development comes as the nation gears up for the upcoming general election. During a press conference at the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, Thompson announced the nationwide opening of voter verification stations. These stations, operational from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday to Friday, aim to ensure the accuracy of the voter register by allowing individuals to confirm or update their details. Thompson emphasized the importance of this exercise, noting that the current voter count stands at 195,610, the highest in Bahamian history. Verification requires a valid Bahamian passport or voter’s card and takes only five to seven minutes. Locations in New Providence include St Paul’s Catholic Church, Aquinas College, and the University of The Bahamas, among others. Thompson also addressed concerns raised by Xavier Knowles, President of the Free National Movement’s Torchbearers Youth Association, regarding young voters being denied registration. He clarified that only a small number of individuals, including those from Inagua, were affected, and the issues have since been resolved. Additionally, the PRD is upgrading its digital platform with assistance from the Organisation of American States, incorporating biometric data from passports to modernize the electoral system. So far, 590 individuals have completed biometric verification, with data integration underway. Thompson reassured the public that biometric verification is voluntary and that no one will lose their voting rights for opting out. He also dismissed online rumors, reaffirming the department’s commitment to safeguarding the electoral process and combating misinformation. In related news, a by-election will soon be announced for the Golden Isles constituency following the passing of MP Vaughn Miller in September.