The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

We have a democratic right to vote. Just as importantly, we have a democratic right to the results. The actual results. 

I, as many others are, am appalled that on Tuesday evening the results of only three Nassau constituencies were received and publicised through official channels. Only three, and these three were still incomplete.

Five hours after the polls closed, results were read from only six of the 38 constituencies. As of Wednesday evening, three New Providence constituencies were still outstanding.

The referendum may have won by the no vote. But by how many? What was the voter turnout? How many ballots were spoiled? We have a right to this information. And by not sharing it with the public, so many questions are being raised.

Did the PLP ask for more time before polling results were publicised? If so, what right do they have to stop the information going to the public? Make no mistake about it, someone or several people prevented the information being shared. They have denied the Bahamian people knowledge.

A power cut is one thing. But in this day and age, a malfunctioning fax machine is not a sufficient excuse. And absolutely not for two days of delays. There are landlines. There are cell phones. There are radios. And in worst case scenarios, there are cars or people can walk! 

The PLP had sufficient time to write a statement and confirm on Tuesday evening that the referendum was conceded. There is no way that this could have been done without prior knowledge to more constituency poll results than we, the people, had access to. Especially when the people at the time had access to results from only six constituencies. Six out of the 38.

This is disgraceful. I may not like the results, but we each have a right to know what they are. Polling station by polling station, constituency by constituency. This is our country too.

FP

Nassau,

June 9, 2016.