The Tribune

OFFICIAL polling has stopped in the 2012 General Election with all parties claiming they have made ground across the island.

Independent observers said the election had been calm, organised and well managed, with only a few minor hiccups along the way.

A few constituencies will be still be voting, because lines will be queuing outside polling divisions.

But in nearly all divisions those who wanted to vote have cast their vote. Constituents walked, came by bus or cars decked out with party flags and

banners - although reportedly most people weren't donned in 'party colours.'

Some voters are calling for new provisions to make voting easier for the elderly and disabled.

They expressed their views at the polling station today, as Bahamians turned out early for the General Election.

A Free National Movement candidate in his late 70s was taunted by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters in the Elizabeth constituency, according to family members, who said the elderly man walks with an oxygen tank because of lung problems.

The PLP supporters apparently accused the FNM of being so desperate that they were Œbringing people on life support vote¹. Family members said they were very upset about the distasteful comments, although the elderly man laughed off the jeers.

Despite a few reports of unsportsmanlike behaviour, voters were said to be generally helpful, although some observers have called for provisions like early voting for the elderly and disabled.

In the Marathon constituency, police officers and polling station officers brought chairs so elderly voters could sit under the shade, while they

waited on the long lines.

In Yammacraw, where the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)'s Melanie Griffin is up against Dion Foulkes of the Free National Movement (FNM), Maurice Smith of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and independent candidate Theodore Bastian, Ms Griffin said voters have been very helpful.

“There seems to have been quite a bit of elderly people and person with disabilities. The voters on the line were quite cooperative by allowing them to vote ahead,” said Ms Griffin.

She said her campaign team encountered a number of people who were in need of wheelchairs and the campaign had two in active use.

“There seems to be a large number. I can tell you, in my campaign, and in my election planning, we made provisions, and we had two wheel chairs that were used quite frequently, that indicated to me there was a high level of elderly people and people with disabilities,” said Ms Griffin.

“We were able to move them to and from the polling station and the polling room. We got them from their homes and brought them here to help them to exercise their God given right,” she said.

Given the number of elderly and disabled voters, Ms Griffin said special provisions might be “something we have to look at”.