Posted by More island news on May 03, 2002 at 11:35:48:
Christie is PM!
Released Friday, May 3, 2002 by Lindsay Thompson
PLP routs FNM
Bounces back after 10 years in opposition
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Guardian Senior Reporter
In the biggest upset in political history, the Progressive Liberal Party led by Perry Gladstone Christie,
springs back from opposition and ousted the incumbent Free National Movement from a 10-year reign.
Up to press time, the PLP won 28 seats, the FNM, 8 seats, and for the first time, four independent seats in
the 40-seat elected House of Assembly.
The FNM had won only one out of the 24 seats in New Providence, that being Montagu with Brent
Symonette as its Member of Parliament, and seven out of 16 Family Island seats.
And unofficially, PLP Leader Perry Christie, 58, became the third Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of
The Bahamas, winning the Farm Road Constituency with over 70 percent of the votes.
Christie took his victory speech to Clifford Park, the favoured spot where the PLP held its mass rallies. It
was also the place where The Bahamas celebrated Independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973.
"This is a great triumph for the Progressive Liberal Party but it is an infinitely greater victory for the
Bahamian people. Far more than for my Party or for me, this day belongs to the people. Their voice rang
clearly and magnificently throughout the land today and, lest we forget, the voice of the people is the
voice of God," Christie said before thousands assembled at Clifford Park.
However, his victory speech was not aired live on ZNS Radio Station, as is politically traditional following
an election victory.
Christie thanked his supporters, especially the voters of Farm Road, who elected him as their Member of
Parliament for the ensuing five years.
"I promise them that I shall be a good and faithful representative and I make the same pledge on behalf of
all the other PLP candidates who were elected to Parliament today. We have come to serve and to serve
unselfishly to the very best of our abilities," Christie said.
Probably the biggest upset of the General Elections was Free National Movement Leader Tommy
Turnquest losing his seat, Mt. Moriah to PLP candidate Keod Smith - 1, 834 votes to 1, 719 votes.
"The results of today's General Elections clearly indicates that the Bahamian people, have chosen the
Progressive Liberal Party to govern The Bahamas," Turnquest said in his concession speech about 9:30
p.m. from FNM Headquarters.
Turnquest, was touted to be Prime Minister, if the FNM had won the election and his defeat leaves the
question, "Who is now Leader of the FNM?"
But outgoing Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in an interview said that the FNM would have to decide
who would become leader of the Party. And, that he does not aspire to be leader again for the FNM.
Ingraham was re-elected to North Abaco for the sixth consecutive time. The other seven Family Island
seats won by the FNM are South Abaco, Robert Sweeting; High Rock, Kenneth Russell; Eight Mile Rock,
Lindy Russell; Lucauya, Neko Grant; MICAL, Johnley Ferguson and North Eleuthera, Alvin Smith.
And, the four Independent Candidates elected were former FNM Tennyson Wells for Bamboo Town,
former FNM Pierre Dupuch for St. Margarets, and Larry Cartwright for Long Island.
Political analysts said never before, had so many Cabinet Ministers lost their Parliamentary seats, making it
the "biggest landslide in the history of Bahamian politics. The last time the FNM was in opposition, it held
11 out of 43 seat House of Assembly.
An estimated 144, 000 persons were eligible to cast their votes in yesterday's General Elections. And, at
about 7 p.m., one hour after the polls closed, FNM strong holds came tumbling down as returns poured in.
One by one, the FNM lost Marathon, Blue Hills, Adelaide, Carmichael, Holy Cross, Fort Charlotte,
Delaporte, and Yamacraw the seat held by Janet Bostwick, the first woman elected to Parliament. The FNM
also lost three of its strong holds in Grand Bahama, which was considered "FNM Country".
Clearly, the masses accepted the PLP's Platform 2002 for "A stronger and a brighter future" with emphasis
on "rescuing the economy, energising tourism, and introducing a National Health Insurance Scheme."
And, it can be said for these elections that the high numbers at rallies translated into support for the PLP.
The elections were held two months after the FNM proposed referendum to amend the Constitution, which
was defeated. And, against the backdrop of voter secrecy being challenged by entertainer Gladstone
McEwan of Abaco.
Another upset was that of Dr. B. J. Nottage, who held on to Kennedy Constituency for 15 years, years fell
to PLP Candidate Kenyatta Gibson 1,947 votes - 710 votes.
There were four major political parties competing in the General Elections. The FNM put 40 candidates; the
PLP, 37 candidates; the Coalition + Labour, 28 candidates and the BDM, 12; the Bahamas Constitution
Party fielded one candidate - its leader, Ali McIntosh, and one candidate from the Survivor's Party,
Kenneth Taylor.
A total of 132 candidates contested the elections, out of that, 14 were independent candidates.