As the 2026 General Election draws near, the creation of two new constituencies, Bimini & Berry Islands and St. James has sparked questions about fairness in voting. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says the changes are meant to balance voter numbers. But some critics are asking: Is this gerrymandering?
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is when political boundaries are drawn in a way that gives an advantage to one party over another. It usually involves “packing” voters of one type into a single area or “cracking” them across several areas to dilute their influence. The goal is to shape election results, sometimes at the expense of fair representation.
What’s happening?
The government says St. James was created by combining parts of Golden Isles and Killarney because those areas had far more voters than average, around 15,000–16,000, compared to the roughly 5,000 voters in most constituencies. On the surface, this looks like an effort to make voting more equal.
But critics say timing matters. The new boundaries come just before an election, which naturally raises questions about whether the changes could favor certain parties or candidates. While there is no clear evidence of political manipulation yet, the situation highlights why transparency in boundary decisions is important.
Why it matters to voters
For everyday citizens, gerrymandering can affect whose voices are heard in Parliament and how much influence your vote carries. Understanding these changes helps voters hold leaders accountable.
Balanced representation is key to a healthy democracy and voters have a right to know how the lines are drawn.
