The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham's decision to prolong the suspense surrounding the date of elections is damaging the Bahamas, DNA leader Branville McCartney said.

Mr McCartney said the economy is being negatively affected and the public is frustrated because Election Day has yet to be set.

"This is detrimental to the country as a whole, take politics out of it and in terms of commerce and investments, persons not knowing when the election date is, are reluctant to invest. Commerce is really reduced as a result," he said.

Mr McCartney said this highlights the need for electoral reform and a set election date which if elected as the next government of the Bahamas, he has previously said the DNA would introduce within the first year of governance.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham suspended Parliament on Wednesday until May 22, however, he said he plans to dissolve the House on or before May 2.

The updated time frame has further narrowed the scope of when the next general election will be called as Mr Ingraham noted earlier this month that he did not plan to "take advantage" of the 90-day period available to him after the House of Assembly is dissolved.

He added that parliament would not be dissolved during Holy Week, which ends April 7. Mr Ingraham also maintained that the Free National Movement (FNM), will cease all campaign advertisements during the spiritual period.

As an astute politician, Mr McCartney said Mr Ingraham is aware of the FNM standing and is "dragging out" announcing the election date because he is not "confident" about his party.

He said: "If the Prime Minister was confident that his party was doing well at the polls or would do well at the polls the election would have been called a long time ago, from November of last year.

"Mr Ingraham realises that that is not the case and he is going to limit in terms of calling this election and that is not the norm for Mr Ingraham - he knows what is happening on the ground and on the ground our view is that the FNM is not doing well."

Mr McCartney reiterated that the DNA is ready to be the next government of The Bahamas and are just waiting for Mr Ingraham to "ring the bell."

The DNA will hold a town meeting at the Hilton on April 12. The subject will be "Good Governance."