Posted by Fig Tree News Team on May 02, 2002 at 12:03:44:
Released Thursday, May 2, 2002 by Lindsay Thompson
Day of decision
Time to decide!
New Government, 3rd
PM in hands of voters
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Guardian Senior Reporter
An estimated 144,000 Bahamians will go to the polls today to elect a new Government and the country's
third Prime Minister since Independence in 1973.
Last night, all major political parties held mass rallies, and leaders delivered national addresses in a last
ditch attempt to woo the electorate to vote them in office.
The polls for the 40 constituencies represented in the House of Assembly will open at 8 a.m. and close at 6
p.m.
Political analysts said that based strictly on the 1997 general election results, it would take a national
swing of more than 10 percent for the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party to win the Government.
A five percent swing against the Governing Free National Movement, using the 1997 election results,
produced a 31-9 victory margin in favour of the FNM, while a 10 a percent swing using the same formula,
produced a 23-17 victory for the FNM.
This, however does not factor in boundary changes and the fact that there are two other political parties
which have joined the race since 1997.
Voter turnout in the March 1997, at 93 per cent, was said to be exceptionally high with approximately
130,000 Bahamians on the voter's registration list.
And, five years later, the number of major political parties have increased to four. The FNM is putting forth
40 candidates; the PLP, 37 candidates; the Coalition + Labour, 28 candidates and the BDM, 12; the
Bahamas Constitution Party is fielding one candidate - its leader, Ali McIntosh, and one candidate from
the Survivor's Party, Kenneth Taylor.
There are 132 candidates contesting the elections; 14 independent candidates in the race.
Workers are entitled to three hours off to vote, and any employer not allowing their employee time off,
would be prosecuted according to law. Schools would also be closed today, as they are being used as
polling stations for the voting process.
There are approximately 144, 800 persons eligible to vote in the May 2 general elections, the country's sixth
general elections since Independence in 1973.
According to the 2000 census, The Bahamas has a population of 304,837, with 212,432 of these residing in
New Providence.
The largest constituency is Englerston with 4, 294 voters followed by St. Cecilia with 4, 254 voters;
Pinewood with 4, 252 voters; Blue Hills with 4, 239 voters; Bain & Grants Town with 4, 190 voters; St.
Thomas More with 4, 189 voters.
Geographically, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay (MICAL) is the largest
constituency with the least number of voters, 1,290.
The largest Family Island constituency is Marco City, with 4, 084 voters followed by Pineridge with 3, 955
voters.
In order to attract voters, each political party has mapped out detailed goals for the next five years.
The most critical plank of the FNM Manifesto 2002 is the strengthening of the Bahamian family.
In order to do this, the FNM believes that the families must be able to finance their needs. Hence,
Manifesto 2002 has a blueprint for growing the economy and ensuring that Bahamian families benefit.
"Our Economic Agenda aims to accelerate job creation toward full employment as we expand Bahamian
ownership in the economy and fully empower the Bahamian business community and all Bahamian
professionals," said FNM Leader-Designate Tommy Turnquest.
For the PLP, implementing a national developing strategy is a major focus.
In its Platform 2002, a PLP Government will: "Devise redevelopment strategies that recapture the cultural
life of traditional communities and give them new life as designed by the people who currently reside and
those who once live there."
The PLP also believes that Family Islands are an untapped resource, with limitless potential within the
Bahamian economy.
According to PLP Leader Perry Christie, investment and development in the Family Islands have not been
extensive or seriously undertaken.
Another major objective of the PLP is to energise The Bahamas Tourism Industry. It plans to "Re-affirm
the central importance of tourism growth as the primary engine of the Bahamian economy."
As its platform, the Coalition + Labour introduced Contract 2002 for The Bahamas under the theme:
"Enlarging The Bahamas, Elevating Bahamians".
The agreement is built on four pillars: Reforming education for National Development, restoring social
welfare, restructuring the economy for Bahamians and reclaiming government for the people.
Coalition Leader Dr. Bernard Nottage is thrusting Family Island development, to the point where
Bahamians can take advantage of new opportunities to possess the land, develop their economies, and
enjoy the fruits of the islands' beautiful resources.