crookedisland

The race for Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay (MICAL) is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing races in the Bahamas because there is no incumbent.

With Basil McIntosh stepping aside, the Progressive Liberal Party is effectively resetting in a constituency it won convincingly in 2021. McIntosh secured an estimated 630 votes, about 63 per cent of the votes cast — defeating Miriam Emmanuel of the Free National Movement, who received 335.

Those numbers suggest a strong PLP seat, but MICAL’s election history shows a more fluid story.

Emmanuel captured the constituency for the FNM in 2017, unseating PLP veteran Alfred Gray, who had held the seat for three terms. That shift, followed by the PLP’s reclaiming of the seat in 2021, highlights a reality that MICAL can shift politically.

Now, the PLP has nominated Ronnell Armbrister, a new standard bearer, who must establish name recognition and trust without the advantage of incumbency. The question is whether voters were backing McIntosh the individual, or the PLP party he represented.

Meanwhile, the FNM is positioning itself for a comeback with James Leo Ferguson on its 2026 ticket. Ferguson retired as an assistant superintendent and the officer responsible for Inagua, his candidacy represents an opportunity for the opposition to rebuild support in a seat it has won before.

The dynamics heading into this election are clear: The PLP is defending without an incumbent. The FNM is attempting to reclaim lost ground. And voters are being asked to reassess the PLP and the FNM.

What was once a relatively comfortable PLP victory will now become a more competitive race, one that could hinge more on candidate connection and grassroots campaign strength.

The question is, who is best positioned to take the seat?

The shock and grief of losing a family member found dead in the streets of Crooked Island is too much to bear for family and friends of Justin Williams.

“This is very shocking. It is unbelievable. [He was] a kind, gentle young man, well mannered and kind,” his aunt Doreen Gibson remembered.

A woman leaving the Fish Fry alerted authorities who found his body lying near Queen’s Highway, Landrail Point around 3:30 am. Further examinations determined that the 42-year-old had lacerations to his wrist and forehead.

Before he met his demise, Williams was making preparations to attend his wife’s funeral in Nassau and was visiting his parents, who live near where his body was found.

Though police have not officially determined that his death was a homicide and have since labelled it as “suspicious,” Gibson believed he was killed and is asking why would anyone want to harm him.

“The evil monster that took his life will be given their just reward.”

His cousin Tina Forbes wants answers too. “I want to know who kill my cousin. Who killed my cousin?”

Williams is believed to be a fisherman and resident of Long Cay which is nearby but occasionally visited Crooked Island.

Williams’ brother Jonathan is heartbroken.

“I can’t take this pain…My one and only brother.”

“Brother you have left me all alone. You have broken our hearts to pieces. I don’t believe that you are gone. This has to be a dream,” he cried.

“Who wanted my brother dead?” sister Sherika Lewis asked.

A friend of the victim Angela Moss remembered him as a “sweet soul.”

“Justin stayed smiling. He was always a nice guy,” she added.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and will classify his death based in the conclusion of the investigation.