Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis told reporters on Thursday that elections will be called soon. This came after Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman, the Hon. Fred Mitchell announced on a voice note circulated online that elections would be held within weeks.
Mitchell said, “ladies and gentlemen, this is a country that is facing a general election in the next few weeks and its likely that the election campaign is gonna heat up and the Bahamian people will be asked shortly who should govern them for the next five years.”
The PLP held its campaign launch in February showcasing its full slate of 41 candidates. Meanwhile, the Free National Movement (FNM) has scheduled its launch for March 21st and has yet to formally name a candidate for the MICAL constituency. The Coalition of Independents has named its full slate of candidates but has had to replace three candidates who have withdrawn from the race. Both opposition parties are promising change to the electorate with FNM Leader, Michael Pintard saying the FNM is ready to offer new leadership and new management to the Bahamian people.
As to when exactly the general election will be held Prime Minister Davis said, “elections would be soon and that’s all I’m prepared to say. Well you expect that we’ll be promoting our message, showing what our record has been and what we intend to do going forward.”
Mr. Davis was also asked his views on the impact the tension between the government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority will have on support for the PLP in Grand Bahama. This after the government recently claimed victory in an arbitration case it brought against the Grand Bahama Port Authority. He said, “I think the Grand Bahamian people support it. I think what it may have done is cause people to take…are now open to listening more to the PLP and looking more at us as a serious party.”
No administration has retained government since the Ingraham administration in 1997. Mr. Davis has been making the case for continuity arguing that his administration needs a second term to complete its plans and initiatives currently underway.
