The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

FOR several young Bahamian women, May 7 will mirror the historic day of November 26, 1962 - when women voted for the first time in Bahamas. Although women have been enfranchised for some 50 years, many women have just come of age, or found the right circumstance to be present at the poles.

In the past, these first time voters attended political rallies, constituency meetings, and other political gatherings, not as active participants in the political process, but as bystanders. However, on election day 2012, they will channel their excitement and frustration at the polls for the very first time.

"I wore the shirts, flaunted the paraphernalia, screamed for the party, but it all meant nothing. And you want to know why? I did not have a voice, I had no say. I could not vote," said Kaitlin Pinder.

"Before people would say it doesn't matter what you say because you cannot vote. Now I can vote and no one can tell me my opinion does not matter because it does," she said.

Some first time voters are struggling to balance deep family allegiances and personal convictions.

"My family is a staunch FNM and I was unsure of who to vote for because we were in a new constituency and I never heard of Dwayne Sands or Ryan Pinder only during the bi-election. But I was really interested to hear what both of them had to offer the Elizabeth constituency. Even though they are part of a bigger party, I still had to consider who would be best for the Elizabeth constituency, who would be more interested in helping the people in my community, which candidate I would be able to count on to assist with problems in the community," said Eljanae Carey.

"I heard both candidates speak and I went on their websites and saw what both were offering and I was more impressed by Dwayne Sands. He spoke about the youth and providing after school programs and improving the community parks, those were the things caught my interest," said Ms Carey.

The political experience for first-timer Lashon Hanna has not been an exciting one so far. She told Tribune Woman she is anticipating the day when the political "chaos" comes to an end.

"My family keeps pressuring me to vote for their party. They say things like 'you better vote for the PLP. But I want to see another party run the country. We have already seen what both the FNM and PLP government can do and from what I have seen they have not done nothing much. I do not know who I want to vote for I just feel confused and I can't wait 'till all of this is over," said Ms Hanna.

Similarly, Nastasha Saunders, is also having difficulty settling on what party to vote for. She is constantly doing her homework on all of the candidates and receiving insight from her family.

"It is only natural that I am attracted to the same party as my family members because that party is all I know. That does not mean I am not open to what the other parties have to offer. I was excited at first but now I am not. I am just confused as to who I am going to vote for. The party that I do decide to vote for has to do something about the crime situation because it is scary. I am very concerned that when I step out of my house something will happen to me," she said.

Despite the influence of family, first-timer voters say they have been following candidates and have been critical consumers of each party's message. They said they intend to make sound decisions based on who they feel will be the best party to improve the state of education; address and form strategies to deal with crime; create job opportunities in a scarce economic market, and "take care of the people".

"I voted in the Elizabeth bi-election but this is the first time I will be voting in the General Election. I am aware of what is going on and yes I support the same party as my family I am happy because this is my voice in the decision making of the country's future. The issues that I am voting to see changed is jobs, crime and the under paid teachers," said Lavonya Larrimore.