A political firestorm has erupted in the Bahamas over the distribution of Treasury-financed gift vouchers in Abaco that bear the names of non-government employed Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) election candidates and party officials, with Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell becoming the first sitting government leader to publicly endorse and defend the controversial program.
Mitchell’s unapologetic support for the initiative puts him sharply at odds with many within his own party, where multiple PLP figures have privately voiced shock that more than $200,000 in taxpayer money was allocated to the voucher program. Prime Minister Philip Davis has also refused to publicly address the growing controversy, leaving Mitchell’s outlier stance even more notable in the context of intra-party dynamics.
The decision to attach non-government PLP affiliates’ names to public-funded assistance has sparked intense debate over whether the program violates anti-electioneering laws. The Bahamas’ Parliamentary Elections Act explicitly criminalizes giving, offering, or funding gifts, cash or other benefits with the intent of swaying voter behavior or securing a candidate’s election to Parliament.
Speaking at a raucous PLP campaign rally in Bimini Saturday night, Mitchell brushed off widespread criticism from the opposition, arguing that Abaco residents prioritize access to tangible assistance over quibbles over political branding on the vouchers. “Duane Sands is an amazing fella, he is complaining because vouchers were being given out in Abaco and he says the PLP is connected in giving out those vouchers,” Mitchell told the crowd. “Well, let me ask you this, you think the people in Abaco care whose name was on the voucher? They want the vouchers, they want the help, that’s all that is necessary, and I’m happy the PLP is connected with giving out the vouchers. Give out more vouchers, the more vouchers you give out, the better.”
Mitchell also pivoted to attack the opposition’s own record of ethical missteps, pointing to a past court case involving former opposition figure Frank Smith where a judge cited a multi-million dollar contract awarded to a key prosecution witness. “He has no complaint to make about giving out vouchers and trying to influence voters,” Mitchell said of Sands.
The foreign minister doubled down on his defense of the program, asserting the entire initiative was ethically sound and framing opposition pushback as a deliberate tactic to halt the PLP’s public outreach work. “The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, there is no offence connected with it,” he said.
Opposition Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard has strongly condemned the Davis administration, accusing the government of breaking national law by using public funds to distribute gift certificates branded with PLP candidates’ names. Pintard has called the action an “egregious” violation of election rules and is pushing for criminal charges to be filed against responsible parties.
Chris Lleida, chief executive officer of Premier Importers, the firm handling the vouchers, confirmed that the certificates were issued at the formal request of the Bahamas’ Ministry of Finance, confirming the program’s official government backing.