parliamentaryregistrationdepartment

With just weeks before the general election, allegations of voter card fraud have introduced a new layer of tension into the country’s political climate and into the broader issue of electoral trust, and Michael Pintard, leader of the Free National Movement, is now calling on Prime Minister Philip Davis to address the matter directly.

Pintard raised the issue during a rally in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

The particular case involves a Haitian woman who reportedly presented a voter’s card while attempting to obtain a National Insurance card.

Now, the police said both she and a worker from the Parliamentary Registration Department have been arrested, with charges of fraud by false pretences.

The situation escalated further when authorities reportedly found multiple voter cards during a search linked to the case.

This may not be an isolated incident. Reports are also circulating that other incidents have occurred.

Other reports suggest that multitudes of Haitian nationals are arriving at NIB seeking cards after being quickly processed as naturalised citizens.

In the House of Assembly last month, Pintard showed a list of 74 people, whom he claimed were being investigated for holding fraudulent passports. Chief Passport Officer Nicholas Symonette later confirmed that the 74 names are among the list of 98 that have been referred to the police.

The core issue is whether the system is protecting the integrity of the vote. When voter identification documents are allegedly misused or improperly obtained, it raises concerns about oversight, controls, and accountability within the electoral process.

The response from Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson, suggesting the individuals were seeking supporting identification rather than intending to vote, attempts to narrow the scope of the issue. However, it does not fully address the underlying concern about how such documents were accessed in the first place.

Elections rely heavily on confidence that the process is fair, secure, and credible. Any suggestion of vulnerability, especially so close to election day, can influence opinions and trust in the outcome.

As May 12 approaches, the issue may be whether the public believes the system is strong enough to prevent issues or is complicit.

As voters cast their ballots at the advance polls on Thursday, many news agencies have characterized the process as ‘not smooth.’

Voters turned out in large numbers at polling stations, standing in long lines and complaining of the wait time.

Sporadic crowds were seen at some stations as the COVID-19 Task Force sought to ensure order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham left the polling station frustrated after he complained that his name was not listed at either of the two polling divisions he attended.

He later returned and was allowed to vote after an apology by Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson.

But Minister of National Security Marvin Dames with responsibility for the Parliamentary Registration Department said he is “not surprise” at the complaints and agitation by some voters due to the increased number of voters including the elderly, allowed to vote at the advance polls.

Senior citizens are allowed to vote early to prevent exposure to the virus and long waits on lines on Election Day.

Dames said, “We would have recently had amendments to the Act. In 2017, we had a central area where advance poll voters were allowed to come and vote. That was when we had some 3,000 voters.  This is like a mini election. We have 30,000 voters.

“You’re going to have your growing pains. This is the first time we are doing this. The growing pains are not significant to really impact people’s right to vote. People are being allowed to exercise their right to vote,” Dames said.

He said his team will “continue to forge forward” and debrief to ensure a smoother running on September 16.

A cadre of politicians running in the General Election disclosed financial statements in the millions.

According to the financial disclosure submitted to the Parliamentary Registration Department, East Grand Bahama candidate Kevin King of the Kingdom Government Movement, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, Progressive Liberal Party’s Deputy Leader Chester Cooper and Independent candidate for Centerville Arrie Percentie, rank highest on the list of millionaires running for office.

It’s worth noting, the financial claims were not verified.

Here are the top 10 wealthiest politicians in the country

1. Kevin King

Networth $53,129,820

King is the East Grand Bahama hopeful of the Kingdom Government Movement. The herbalist and newcomer to politics said although his total income is $38,500, his assets include $35m in securities and $8m in real estate.

2. Dionisio D’Aguilar

Networth $37,951,803

Tourism Minister D’Aguilar is a business eexcutive and owner of Superwash brand. He has annual income of $1,467,988 and liabilities of $345,013. Among his assets, D’Aguilar has more than $32m in investments and nearly $3m in real estate.

3. Chester Cooper

Networth $14.8m 

The incumbent Exuma and Ragged Island candidate is the Progressive Liberal Party’s deputy leader. Cooper has an income of $370,000. He is a businessman and the bulk of wealth is $11m in investments and $3m in real estate.

4. Dr Hubert Minnis

Networth $14,048,902

Prime Minister Minnis is the MP for the Killarney constituency and is reported to be the wealthiest leader of a major political party. He is seeking his fourth term as parliamentarian. Minnis is a physician and businessman. In 2017, he was worth $12.6m and in 2012, he was worth $10.9m.

5. Arrie Percentie

Networth $14m

Percentie is running as an independent candidate for the Centerville constituency. He is a contractor.

6. Rollington Cooper Jr

Networth $13.4m

Cooper is running in Central Grand Bahama for the Kingdom Government Movement. Cooper is a businessman. The bulk of his assets which is $13.9m, is in real estate. His total income is $500 with $588,000 in liabilities.

7. Dr Duane Sands

Networth $6,958,000

Sands is the former Minister of Health. He is a physician turned politician and the incumbent for the Elizabeth constituency.

8. Stephen Greenslade

Networth $5,743,959

Greenslade is running for Garden Hills. He is a former policeman and is presently the owner of a security firm ICS of the Bahamas Company Ltd.

9. Basil McIntosh 

Networth $4,989,037

McIntosh is the MICAL candidate for the Progressive Liberal Party.

10. Dr Michael Darville

Networth $4,665,000

The Tall Pines candidate is not a newcomer to politics. He was the former PLP Minister of State for Grand Bahama. Darville is was a medical doctor in the Ministry of Health and has since established his private practice in family medicine.

Leader of the Opposition Philip Davis comes in at eleventh.

Networth $4,100,237

Davis is the incumbent for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. He is a Queen’s Counsel and prominent lawyer. Declarations filed in 2017, showed his net worth at $4.3m.