The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

Democratic National Alliance Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer boasted yesterday that the party will ratify more female candidates for the next general election than any of the other political parties.

He said this is a testimony to the organisation’s commitment to equality.

By the time the ratification process is complete, the DNA intends to nominate ten women for the next general election.

“It’s important that women take their rightful place as part owners of The Bahamas,” Mr Mortimer said during an event announcing four of its candidates for the election.

The party’s latest female candidate is Stephanie Lightbourne who will run in the Englerston constituency, a PLP stronghold.

The DNA also ratified Gerrino Saunders, a former journalist and director of sports for JCN, for the newly created St Barnabas constituency yesterday.

Mr Saunders said he wanted to serve his country rather than leave it.

“I decided to come and step to the front lines before leaving the country; you know Canada is advertising everyday,” he said. “Before I even let that thought sink deeply into my heart, I said there’s no way I could leave the Bahamas behind. I belong here. My children belong here. My grandchildren belong here. The country has been going down the wrong path for quite some time due to lack of proper governance.

“I’m ready to work and take any blows that comes with it,” Mr Saunders said.

Samuel Kemp, a former police officer, was ratified for the North Andros constituency while Samuel Strachan, said to be an expert in computer repair, systems and network engineering, was ratified in the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador constituency.

For her part, Mrs Lightbourne spoke of a country failing to meet the expectations forged years ago when Majority Rule and Independence were achieved.

“I was born during the time of Majority Rule in this country,” she said. “I remember the Independence celebrations in 1973 quite vividly; a witness to proud and patriotic Bahamians rising to prominence and prestige. I watched the leaders of yesterday fight for persons born in this country to become first class citizens, to own land, to become educated and to obtain the jobs they dreamed of a few years prior to independence. Today, that Bahamas no longer exits. Our country is used as a game of monopoly played by two parties.”