标签： Bahamas

Election officials in The Bahamas expressed profound puzzlement at the strikingly low voter participation during Monday’s Golden Isles by-election, where official data revealed more than 4,000 registered voters abstained from casting ballots. Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson disclosed that merely 3,884 individuals exercised their democratic right despite a constituency registry of 7,926 eligible voters.

The electoral outcome saw Progressive Liberal Party candidate Darron Pickstock secure victory with 1,873 votes, followed by Free National Movement contender Brian Brown with 1,637 votes. Brian Rolle of the Coalition of Independents garnered 352 votes, while independent candidate Karen Butler received 16 votes, with six ballots invalidated as spoiled.

This alarming voter disengagement has triggered concerns across political establishments and electoral observers. Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard acknowledged his party’s need to intensify voter mobilization efforts, while PLP insiders expressed apprehension about potential implications for the approaching general election.

Commissioner Thompson suggested the proximity of expected national elections might have diminished voter motivation for this interim contest. Historical patterns indicate governing parties typically perform strongly in Bahamian by-elections, with the PLP having dominated most such contests since independence.

The electoral atmosphere intensified when former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham predicted prior to the vote that a PLP victory would precipitate an early general election, potentially by March, while a loss would cause the governing party to ‘stench’—presumably meaning stall or become stagnant.

Post-election developments show increased activity at satellite registration stations nationwide, though Thompson anticipates minimal impact on overall registration numbers given the existing national registry has surpassed 196,000—an all-time high. Simultaneously, authorities continue urging residents to verify information for newly implemented biometric identification cards.

With Golden Isles and Killarney maintaining their status as the most populous constituencies, and Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis having previously supported boundary adjustments to balance voter distribution rather than create new seats, Thompson confirmed his department stands prepared to implement whatever changes the electoral commission may recommend.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has delivered a forceful declaration regarding diplomatic conduct, asserting that ambassadors unable to fully endorse the government’s mandate should recognize their appropriate course of action. The statement arrives amid Ambassador-at-Large Rick Fox’s declared intentions to pursue elected office while maintaining his diplomatic position.

Minister Mitchell emphasized established diplomatic conventions requiring all ambassadors to submit resignations following the confirmation of a new administration, regardless of whether the incumbent party retains power. He characterized this protocol as neither novel nor exceptional within international diplomatic practice.

‘An ambassador represents the government, its policies, and its positions abroad,’ Mitchell stated in an official communication. ‘Should any ambassador find themselves incapable of faithfully executing this mandate due to ideological disagreements with the appointing authority, the honorable path forward is self-evident. No explicit directive is necessary; honorable individuals inherently understand the required actions in such circumstances.’

The minister simultaneously addressed what he termed ‘baseless and damaging’ allegations from Opposition Leader Michael Pintard concerning passport administration and Bahamasair operations. Mitchell dismissed these claims as demonstrably false and counterproductive to national interests.

‘A particular public official persists in circulating claims that have been thoroughly disproven,’ Mitchell continued. ‘This conduct benefits neither the public, the nation, nor the individual involved. It merely erodes institutional trust and generates unwarranted confusion. These activities should terminate immediately.’

The ruling Progressive Liberal Party has formally challenged Pintard to either produce substantiating evidence for his allegations or retract them entirely. Mitchell reinforced that his ministry remains dedicated to fulfilling its governmental responsibilities while maintaining the high standards expected by Bahamian citizens.

The recent Golden Isles by-election has sparked significant political discourse, with former Attorney General Sean McWeeney, KC, offering a nuanced analysis of the results. While the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) emerged victorious with candidate Darron Pickstock securing 1,873 votes, the Free National Movement (FNM) led by Michael Pintard demonstrated notable strength by winning more polling divisions, capturing 1,636 votes. The Coalition of Independents (COI) trailed far behind with 348 votes, and independent candidate Karen Butler received a mere 16 votes. McWeeney highlighted that despite the PLP’s win, the FNM’s performance has bolstered Pintard’s leadership credibility, describing it as a political boost for the FNM leader. He emphasized that the FNM’s ability to secure a majority of polling divisions (8-6) underscores Pintard’s viability as a leader of a resurgent party. Conversely, McWeeney characterized the PLP’s narrow victory as a ‘knock in the head,’ particularly given the substantial resources deployed by the government. He cautioned the PLP against complacency, pointing to the national trend of one-term governments over the past two decades. McWeeney also critiqued the COI’s underwhelming performance, noting their failure to meet the legal threshold of 16.6 percent and their role as potential spoilers in future elections. He praised Pickstock’s campaign, acknowledging his rapid rise from a virtual unknown to a victorious candidate in just 41 days. Overall, McWeeney’s analysis suggests that the by-election results should serve as a wake-up call for the PLP while solidifying Pintard’s position within the FNM.

Two Bahamian nationals have been indicted in separate US federal districts on charges related to passport fraud and false claims of American citizenship, according to statements from prosecutors in Pennsylvania and Florida. The cases are part of the US Department of Justice’s initiative, Operation Take Back America, which targets immigration-related offenses and transnational criminal activity. In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 79-year-old Victor Charles Gibson was indicted on November 18 for passport fraud and falsely claiming US citizenship. Prosecutors allege that Gibson knowingly made false statements in a US passport application on March 29 in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. The US Department of State investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Tatum Wilson. If convicted, Gibson faces up to 13 years in federal prison. In a separate case in the Middle District of Florida, 65-year-old Rochelle Deborah Johnson was indicted for illegal voting, passport fraud, and falsely claiming US citizenship to obtain state benefits. Johnson allegedly used a fraudulently obtained passport for international travel in 2016 and attempted to renew it in 2018 by falsely claiming US citizenship. She is also accused of unlawfully voting in the 2020 presidential election and falsely claiming citizenship to renew her Florida driver’s license. Johnson faces up to 35 years in federal prison if convicted. The US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Special Assistant US Attorney Joseph Wheeler III.

In a significant political development, Darron Pickstock of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) emerged victorious in the Golden Isles by-election, defeating Brian Brown of the Free National Movement (FNM). The election, seen by many as a litmus test for the Davis administration’s performance nearing the end of its term, was characterized by intense campaigning but disappointingly low voter turnout. Unofficial results revealed that only 3,873 out of nearly 8,000 registered voters cast their ballots. Pickstock secured a comfortable win with 1,873 votes, while Brown trailed with 1,636 votes. The Coalition of Independents’ Brian Rolle garnered 348 votes, and Independent candidate Karen Butler received 16. Despite the victory, PLP members privately expressed concerns over the low turnout and the unexpected performance of the Coalition of Independents, sparking discussions about strategies for the upcoming general election. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis hailed the win as a pivotal moment for Golden Isles, emphasizing the importance of unity and continued effort. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the campaign and pledged to address the economic disparities felt by some residents. Davis also extended his gratitude to Brown for his participation in the democratic process. In his victory speech, Pickstock expressed his gratitude to his constituents and vowed to earn their trust through consistent and diligent work. He paid tribute to the late Vaughn Miller, whose passing created the vacancy in the House of Assembly. This marks the second by-election victory for the PLP since it assumed office.