The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

POLITICAL leaders are not allowing the near week-long extreme weather conditions to dampen their spirits in the build-up to the May 7 election.

Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel said yesterday that his party would adapt as they hoped to drive the message home to 170,000 plus voters that they should stay in power, even though today's events have had to be postponed due to the weather.

"It is important to understand that while the weather may be a factor, this party will continue to send our message to the people. We will continue with our activities as scheduled," he said.

Contingents from the FNM had hoped to travel to a number of the family islands this week to host rallies, including Mayaguana, Acklins, Long Island and the Exuma. While the trips were cancelled, Mr Bethel said the events would go ahead as planned on the islands, even if they had to go indoors if the weather persisted.

"Why not?" he said.

"It doesn't matter what is happening right now. You have to do what you have to do."

Bethel, the candidate for Sea Breeze, said contingency plans were in place for advance polling, which is scheduled to take place today.

"I want to assure all voters that steps are being taken to ensure their comfort during advance polling. I urge everybody to turn out and exercise their democratic right to vote," he said.

No-one could control the weather, he added, but the 'the beautiful thing' about human beings was their ability to adapt, 'so that is what we are going to do.'

The Democratic National Alliance's spokesman Teshan Poitier shared similar sentiments and said the party already had back-up plans in place. "The DNA aren't really affected by the weather. We knew we were going to experience bad weather but did not expect it to last so long. It did however, force us to postpone our family fun day we had planned on Saturday," she told The Tribune on Monday afternoon.

"But our candidates are very resilient and they are continuing with their campaigning and rallies. Wallace Rolle, our candidate running for South Beach is having his own rally as we speak, so we have back-ups and are always prepared."

The DNA also has a mass rally planned for this evening. The party has already booked a slot for a live remote in a studio for radio in the event that weather forces the rally to be cancelled.

Ms Poitier said the rally's speaker would do a panel discussion.

She said the DNA was 'not like the FNM and PLP' who host rallies and 'talk nonsense' to people.

"The rally is not our concern. We've launched our plan and ideas to the people and so this week is a final race towards victory for the DNA."

PLP chairman Bradley Roberts could not be reached for comment. However, in light of the weather, the PLP was expected to host a mass rally last night inside the Wyndham Nassau Resort.