标签： Bahamas

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.

The atmosphere at the Free National Movement’s (FNM) Golden Isles constituency office was somber and disheartened last night as supporters grappled with the realization that their candidate, Brian Brown, had lost the by-election. The mood stood in stark contrast to the jubilant celebrations at the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) office nearby, where Darron Pickstock was officially declared the winner. Despite the defeat, Mr. Brown was met with cheers and remained resolute, vowing to continue his community efforts. He emphasized his commitment to serving the constituency, announcing plans to feed 500 residents for Thanksgiving and visit supporters to express gratitude. FNM Leader Michael Pintard acknowledged the narrow margin of the loss, praising Mr. Brown’s dedication and integrity while addressing concerns about low voter turnout. He reaffirmed the party’s determination to regroup and prepare for future elections. Mr. Pickstock secured 1,873 votes (48.36%), while Mr. Brown garnered 1,636 votes (42.24%). Independent candidates Brian Rolle and Karen Butler received 348 and 16 votes, respectively. Throughout the evening, FNM supporters held onto hope, with some attributing Mr. Pickstock’s victory to government resources. Despite the loss, many FNMs expressed optimism about their chances in the upcoming general election, viewing the close race as a sign of potential success.

The recent Golden Isles by-election has cast a spotlight on the Coalition of Independents (COI), revealing its inability to emerge as a viable national alternative to the dominant Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Free National Movement (FNM). Despite widespread public discontent with the two major parties, the COI’s performance in the by-election demonstrated minimal electoral progress, securing only 348 votes, or 8.99 percent of the total ballots cast. This result mirrors the party’s 2021 General Election performance, where it garnered approximately 6 percent of the vote, highlighting its stagnant growth in voter support. Established in 2020 as a response to decades of PLP–FNM dominance, the COI initially promised to disrupt the political landscape. Over the years, it has expanded its organizational structure, ratified numerous candidates, and even gained its first sitting Member of Parliament earlier this year. However, the Golden Isles outcome underscores that these efforts have not translated into widespread voter acceptance. The constituency remained a two-party contest, with COI support concentrated in a few polling divisions—14.23 percent in Division 4 and 15.46 percent in Division 6B—while remaining significantly lower elsewhere. This pattern of isolated enthusiasm without sustained momentum suggests that the COI has yet to pose a credible challenge to the established political order. As of press time, The Tribune was unable to obtain comments from COI officials.