Persons intending to contest seats on the island of Grand Bahama in the upcoming general election are expected to make their candidacy official on April 16th with the rest of the country.
Candidates are expected to present the required documents including signatures from registered constituents and a $400 deposit. Assistant Parliamentary Commissioner, Denise Pinder explained, “they’ll present themselves to the respective constituencies for which they are vying as a candidate. The five constituencies being Central Grand Bahama, the nomination center will be the Keith Cartwright Outreach Center at Christ The King. For the East Grand Bahama constituency candidates will go to the Eric L. Sam Center at the Church of the Ascension. For Marco City, the nomination center is the Belinda Wilson Convention Center. For Pineridge, persons will go to the Foster Pestaina Center at Christ The King and for West Grand Bahama, candidates will go to the Eight Mile Rock High School Gymnasium.”
All candidates must meet the eligibility requirements. Officials scrutinize candidates documents for issues like dual citizenship, outstanding legal matters and missed deadlines.
Pinder said, “if you are a judge of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal you’ll be disqualified. If you are a substantive public officer you would be disqualified. If you’re acting temporarily as a public officer for a period not exceeding three months. If you are a member of the armed forces you would not be qualified. If you’re on the staff of the Governor General you would not be qualified and if you’re employed in the Ministry of Tourism, you would be disqualified.”
Candidates’ submissions will be vetted by Returning Officers in each constituency.
