In a surprising turn of events, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham publicly supported the retention of Returning Officer Neil Campbell for the Golden Isles by-election, despite objections from his own party, the Free National Movement (FNM). This endorsement came just a day before Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson confirmed his decision to keep Mr. Campbell in his role, expressing confidence in the election’s transparency and impartiality.
The FNM, led by Chairman Dr. Duane Sands, had raised concerns about Mr. Campbell’s suitability, citing alleged conflicts of interest. These concerns were amplified when Mr. Campbell referred to Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis as his ‘adopted father’ during a press conference. However, Mr. Thompson defended Mr. Campbell, highlighting his voluntary disclosure of personal connections and his long-standing reputation as a respected public officer.
Mr. Thompson emphasized the challenges of finding individuals in The Bahamas who are entirely disconnected from political figures, given the country’s small size and interconnected society. He stated, ‘I do believe that Mr. Campbell will execute his public duties as Returning Officer without fear or favor.’
Meanwhile, Mr. Ingraham acknowledged Mr. Campbell’s inexperience but dismissed claims of wrongdoing. He attributed the FNM’s suspicions to procedural missteps during the advance poll, such as Mr. Campbell’s initial reluctance to place ballots in the designated box. However, Mr. Ingraham expressed confidence that Mr. Campbell had learned from these mistakes and would ensure a smooth election process.
Addressing FNM supporters at a rally, Mr. Ingraham urged them to focus on voter turnout rather than concerns about Mr. Campbell’s impartiality. He reassured the public that The Bahamas’ electoral system is robust, with sufficient safeguards to prevent election fraud. ‘Whoever wins on Election Day will win,’ he declared, emphasizing the country’s history of fair elections under various governing parties.
Mr. Campbell, who has extensive experience in overseeing elections both domestically and internationally, remains at the center of the debate as the Golden Isles by-election approaches.