Nassau, Bahamas - The
National Development Party hosted the nation’s first ever Political
Debate and Primary Election last evening at the Church of God
Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road. The candidates in the debate and
primary were Mr. C. Rashad Amahad and Dr. S. Andre Rollins.
Before
a modest audience, those in attendance celebrated their participation
in making history, by introducing a new political system of registered
constituents electing a political party’s candidate for an election.
The
event was moderated by well known broadcast journalist, Ms. Judy
Terrell-Hamilton, who posed a number of questions to the candidates on
issues relating to both the Elizabeth constituency, as well as the
nation.
Some of the questions were directly submitted by
members of the audience and none of the questions had been seen by the
candidates prior to the debate. It was a very spirited debate between
two worthy opponents. Both candidates emphasized that it was important
to provide stronger representation for the people of Elizabeth and that
the process of having the constituents decide who would become a
party’s candidate was a powerful message to the political establishment
at a time when the voices of the people are being ignored.
After
the votes were tallied, Dr. Rollins was determined to have received the
majority of the votes cast. In his remarks after being announced the
winner, Dr. Rollins urged those present to be optimistic despite the
detractors or naysayers who say that what the NDP is seeking to achieve
cannot happen. Dr. Rollins told them that the NDP believes otherwise
and he referred them to the Book of Mark Chapter 10, verse 27 which
reads:
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Dr. Rollins noted that the date for the hosting of the NDP’s first
Election Debate and Primary for this Elizabeth By-Election was
coincidentally on the 1st month of the 10th year, on the 27th day. Mark Ch. 10, verse 27 –
It is Possible!
Bio for NDP Candidate in Elizabeth - Dr. Andre Rollins
Dr.
S. Andre Rollins is 34 years of age. Born in Nassau, Bahamas to Andrea
Rollins nee Cartwright and Sylvester Rollins, and is the eldest of
three children born to that marital union. He attended St. John’s
College where he graduated with the Class of 1992 as Head Boy.
He
matriculated at Boston University in 1993, where he earned a Bachelor
of Science degree in Human Physiology in 1997. In the fall of that same
year, he enrolled in Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine
doctoral program and served as Class President in a class of 132 dental
students. He served as Class President for all four years, having been
reelected to that post at the end of the first 3 years, and graduated
with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in the summer of 2001. He was
accepted to enroll in the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program at Tufts
University’s School of Dental Medicine in the fall of that same year,
and earned a certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in
June of 2003. Dr. Rollins worked in Worcester, Massachusetts for one
year, under the tutelage of Drs. Frederick and Lisa Giarusso, before
returning home in July of 2004.
Since
returning home, Dr. Rollins has served as President of the Bahamas
Dental Association from December, 2004 to December, 2009; was a
founding member of the National Development Party in October of 2008;
and has worked along with the other members of the Executive Steering
Committee to build the foundation of the party. Dr. Rollins presently
serves as the Chairman of the Executive Steering Committee of the
National Development Party. He operates a solo orthodontic practice –
The Bahamas Brace Place – here in New Providence and maintains
satellite practices in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Long Island.
He is an Anglican and a proud Bahamian.
