The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune News Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of State for National Security Keith Bell yesterday accused the FNM government of "handing out envelopes of money" on election day and using the police force for their own "selfish purposes."

Mr Bell said on May 7 he witnessed first hand, men in FNM T-shirts handing out money and giving bribes. He also said the men were being protected by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

"Let me tell you what I heard and saw directly, what I witnessed first hand during election day.

"On election day the Free National Movement were giving out envelopes of money. The FNM government and I have evidence," he said.

"On the day of election I would have witnessed persons adorned in the Free National Movement T-shirts and persons who are associated with the Free National Movement party, operatives of the FNM, giving out envelopes of money.

"But, Madame president, what was disheartening is that the former administration used the Royal Bahamas Police Force to guard these people and I am in possession of reports to that effect. I have asked the Commissioner of Police to carry out an investigation as to how that could happen.

"That ought not to have happened and I cry shame on the FNM."

Desmond Bannister, FNM Senator, denied the government was handing out cash during the elections and demanded Mr Bell withdraw his comments.

He said: "It is wrong for any member of this place to come here and say that the FNM government was giving out envelopes of money.

"If he saw persons giving out envelopes of money or a person give out money and then he should say who that person was he saw give out money.

"I am a part of the Free National Movement Government.

"I gave out no envelopes of money to anyone on election day or otherwise. So the party did not do it."

Other allegations of bribery have surfaced in the weeks leading up to and following the general election.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham accused the PLP of "vote buying" by allegedly stuffing money inside T-shirts attempting to buy the Haitian-Bahamian vote.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has accused the former administration of seeking to bribe voters with jobs and contracts.

Although some allegations of bribery have been investigated no one has been charged.