thirdparty

For decades, Bahamian politics has largely been a two-party system: PLP or FNM. Each election cycle, the government changes hands.

Now, the Coalition of Independents says it wants to break that cycle.

Led by Lincoln Bain, the party has ratified a full slate of candidates ahead of the next general election. Online, the movement generates strong reactions. Supporters say it represents fresh leadership and a clean break from traditional politics.

Critics argue history is not on their side.

The reality is that no third party has ever won a seat in Parliament.

In the Bahamas, you need a majority of votes to win a constituency. In close races, even a few hundred votes can change the outcome. But those same few hundred votes can also prevent a third party from overtaking the two dominant machines.

In the November by-election, the Coalition’s candidate received just over 200 votes. That’s not insignificant. In a tight race, 200 votes can matter, but it’s still far from victory.

To break the two-party grip, the party would need strong ground support, voter turnout at the polls and candidates in winnable seats.

There is also the experience question. The COI’s slate is largely new to governance. Some voters see that as refreshing, and others say it is risky.

Still, many are frustrated with the PLP and FNM cycles.

The bigger question is, can it siphon enough votes to reshape tight constituencies?

In 2026, the two-party era is facing one of its hardest challenges in years.

Following the “suspicious” death of former Democratic National Alliance’s Interim Leader Chris Mortimer on Thursday, tributes poured in for the successful businessman and former political candidate.

Arinthia Komolafe, who once served as Mortimer’s deputy and eventually obtained leadership of the third party in 2019, said she too was shocked at his death but remembered him for his passion to serve.

“He was kindhearted and a gentle soul who wanted the best for our country.

“I remember spending several hours in a meeting with him and other nation builders discussing ways to bring positive change to our beloved Bahamaland. It was a privilege to serve with and alongside Chris as he sought to make his contribution to national interest.”

The 53-year-old was the former president of the Galleria Cinemas and the popular restaurant Outback Steakhouse, preparing to open another dine-in Red Lobster in the Bahamas. But his attempts with to succeed at the polls as a third party proved futile as the party failed to gain traction and movement.

Andrew Wilson, who served as Chairman during former leader Branville McCartney and Mortimer’s tenure, remembered him as a “very decent human being and my best friend.”

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death after he was found pinned to a chain link fence after he allegedly got out of his vehicle. His black Ford Escape was found in reverse gear.

Members of the party still hoping to keep the party alive after Komolafe resigned last year, expressed deep regret at his death.

“He was a fine leader that contributed to the DNA and was a fighter for change in our nation. We remember him as a light to our nation,” a party statement read.

A former lawyer and once an adviser to the party Fayne Thompson said, “I will miss your friendship and kind demeanor.”

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to his death.

When Arinthia Komolafe was elected leader of third party Democratic National Alliance in 2017, after her party’s defeat in the General Election, the attorney and banker who became a household name, seemed like a sure thing for the 2021 general election. But her 2021 campaign was a nonstarter–averaging over 1 percent in the polls.

Komolafe who never held an elected office, resigned from her party in December 2021 and seemed to have vanished from the spotlight. That’s until she was seen at Free National Movement’s Eastern District Meeting on Monday night.

She made no declarations but her presence alone could mean a pivot for the FNM’s run in the next election. It’s likely she will contend for a seat.

When Komolafe resigned from her party she said she never intended to leave front-line politics and would consider an offer from a major party.

“Everything I do in my life, I have to pray and I have to meditate about it. For me, politics has always been a vehicle. It is a vehicle to bring forth a vision that I’ve been carrying for years — for where I feel this country should go and needs to be,” she said at the time.

“So, any decision I take in terms of frontline politics has to be an environment where I believe that vision is able to be brought to pass. I’m not just looking to be a politician. I could’ve done that long time.”

As DNA member and leader, Komolafe said she was propositioned by both major parties but she declined. “The fact of the matter is I was too deep in. I had done too much work and I thought the organization deserved a fighting chance and the reality is based on my morals and ethics as a captain. I could not abandon ship though the storms were raging.”

Third parties are bound to fail in the Bahamas and the DNA suffered that fate miserably though voters vented their anger at the governing party and condemned the country’s two-party system.

Komolafe acknowledged at her resignation, the failings of third parties like the DNA and believed if she was on the ticket of a major party, she would have already been elected as a member of parliament.

As a third party, most of her gripes were directed at then Prime Minister Hubert Minnis whom she referred to as ‘Pharoah’ because of his ‘draconian’ approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Michael Pintard at the helm of the FNM party, Komolafe seems content to follow his lead and will likely be a contender in the next general election, converting swing voters to FNM gains.