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Last Updated: Apr 7, 2017 - 5:24:11 PM |
Nassau, Bahamas - Dr. Hubert Minnis, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader, issued the following statement regarding the state of the Parliamentary Register:
“Yesterday, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall attempted to assure Bahamians that the register—containing hundreds of errors—would be cleaned up within 14 to 15 days from the date of its closure. The register is in such disarray that we have no faith in the government's ability to produce a clean register which is a prerequisite to a free and fair election. The experiences of the 1987 general election and the recent Referendum conducted by the Progressive Liberal Party are glaring examples that the PLP is incapable of managing this basic responsibility that is so necessary for the holding of free and fair elections.”
“If the Christie Government operated with any semblance of competence, these countless number of errors would not exist at all. This Government has shown a dangerous indifference towards the implementation of our elections under their rule. Recently the government has engaged in a well-planned effort to disenfranchise voters including turning away Bahamian women trying to register, subjecting them to an unknown dress code. A phantom dress code that is not found in the Rules of Conduct for public officers nor in the Parliamentary Elections Act.”
“In addition to the long delays this Christie Government orchestrated surrounding the boundaries report, they have shown a concerted pattern of disenfranchising the voters as their grip on power continues to slip away. With all the ineptitude and shenanigans going on at the Parliamentary Registration Department it is no wonder that the Bahamian people are worried about a rigged election.”
“Bahamians are now forced to simply wait and hope that this Government does in fact mitigate the hundreds of discrepancies in the voter register to ensure a fair election. The Deputy Prime Minister may not be concerned of voter fraud but Bahamians don’t share his irrational confidence. For five years they have watched this PLP Government lie, manipulate and disassemble their way through one egregious debacle after another. Let’s hope that Bahamians will soon have an opportunity to remove this tyrannical Government from power. It is our sincere hope that this election is not rigged for one side. Rest assured the FNM will do everything within its power to make sure Bahamians are given a free, fair and democratic election.”
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