‘Don’t believe denial of an early election’

PLP Leader Philip 'Brave' Davis. (File photo)

As of Thursday, May 6, 2021

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said National Security Minister Marvin Dames is “obfuscating” the truth about the Minnis administration’s election plans.

Mr Dames told reporters on Tuesday that people should not read too deeply into a Royal Bahamas Defence Force memo that directs departments to prepare for the possibility of an early election by sending information about people who will participate in an advanced poll.

Mr Dames said it is common for law enforcement agencies to prepare earlier than other organisations and suggested the RBDF action, which was in response to a memo from the Parliamentary Registration Department, was normal for the force.

Speaking to reporters during the House of Assembly’s afternoon recess yesterday, Mr Davis said: “That’s not standard procedure. Standard procedure wouldn’t require you to have to provide your name for the advanced poll if there’s not going to be an election, so clearly the minister is just obfuscating and they just want to hold to their chest their thinking.

“They would not let the Bahamian public know, but I think we are all grown up, wise enough to look and see what it is all about; election is in the air. Or put another way, there’s no doubt that the government has been considering for quite some time calling an early election. Why they have not called it yet, that’s a question that they should be answering to us. All the tea leaves, all the readings are there for an early election and those readings have come from what they offered over the last several months.”

Asked about the RBDF memo, Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Lavardo Duncanson said his department is simply being proactive.

“I would not speak to any inter-agency communications, but I can say that as far as the Parliamentary Registration Department, our efforts continue to be proactive as we prepare for an upcoming general election,” Mr Duncanson said.

“So, there’s a greater appreciation of this without speaking to inter-agency communications, as it relates to the advanced poll, you have an amendment to the Parliamentary Elections Act that has increased the amount of individuals who are eligible to apply to vote during an advanced poll,” he added.

jujutreeclub 3 years ago

I believe Mr. Duncanson on this one. Not because it was not done this far in advance before, does not mean that a snap election is in the making. We as bahamians don't like change. The man is trying to get a head start on ensuring that all the ducks are lined up and no rushing near election time 2022. I have worked with this dedicated, committed christian public servant for years and find him to be a honest man with integrity. He does not allow himself to be dictated to, no matter from what level. He would prefer resigning before going that route. Can put my head on the chopping block for this one.

tribanon 3 years ago

No need for the chopping block. You're already 'headless' if you really believe the calling of a national general election election is not imminent.

jujutreeclub 3 years ago

Imminent- yes, but early, NO

tribanon 2 years, 12 months ago

You really need to become aquainted with the definition of the word "imminent". By the way, anytime before May 17, 2022 would be considered "early", even just a day or two before that date. But not to worry, we all know what Minnis is gonna announced very shortly now. lol

bahamianson 3 years ago

So what? Who cares if it is an early election? What? Are you going to say, i told you so? Who cares? How you arw going to bote is how tou will vote, end of story. Why is this breaking news if there is an early, late or normal election?

tribanon 3 years ago

An early general election will be Minnis's affirmation of just how bad he already knows things are going to get for our country and the vast majority of our people over the next few years. The IMF have had their knee on Minnis's neck for sometime now and he's finding it most difficult to breath.

DDK 3 years ago

Will it make any difference to the survival of the country which way anyone votes at this stage of the game?

tribanon 3 years ago

It certainly won't make a difference to the 'smart money' that fled The Bahamas in early 2017 when it appeared Minnis stood a chance of becoming PM. Until then no one would have ever thought so many wealthy Bahamians would become owners, through Delaware LLCs, of large tracts of land in places like Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Montana. And these landholdings have greatly appreciated in the meantime.

licks2 3 years ago

Bahamians "running to Unca Sam" because Minnis was to become PM? Soya mean to tell ma that Bahamians gone and buy land where American industrial belt enterprises free fall and D. Trump was having the fight of his life with traffic between Uncle Sam and "Ho-che-min"?

So what ya mean they are the "smart money"? Don't they know that those "large tracts of land" usually sit smack-dab in the middle of "dead industrial" regions? Most too far from main cities to be of and value to commuting existence!! The American and other developed nation them who "gat" plenty money too "een gern ta buy" none of them large tracts of land!!

Oh. . .by the way. . .google about how them "smart money" Americans who bought up plenty large tracts of lands in the early 19 century are now "geeing them" to the government for wild spaces. . .basically their speculations were duds!! Like back in the old West days. . .the rail way made the town. . .the town did not make the railroad!!

tribanon 2 years, 12 months ago

I suspect much to your merriment you continue to receive your full government pay and benefits and therefore remain quite content living in the dreadfully small and miserable Bahamaland that our new Master Minnis has created for us. Good for you.

licks2 2 years, 12 months ago

When did Minnis created this :small and dreadful lil nation" bouy? This lil "one-horse-town" was created from UBP times. . .UBP, PLP and FNM alike. . .this they baby!!

By the way. . .I own more land overseas as we speak. . .over 1000 acres and just inherited another 110 acres!! My family own enough land that I can "get lost" for months in family acreages alone. . .we have the same problem as I described to you. . . relevant development seem not to come "around" where we have the plenty land!! So unless our posterity "do something innovative" all we have is plenty bush. . .very expensive bush them. . .but "een nobody" want to buy land that far out from civilization/developments!!

Trust me. . .Minnis een know how to "run this ting". . .none of our PMs. . .past and present, except for LOP, "een un" no country. Now if ya want to say that LOP actually "ran the young nation". . .I agree. . .but them other ones running anything. . ."chile" please!! This same national platform that they are running since 92 is the same one LOP set up . . .today is just being managed by all who came after him!!

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