By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie last night suggested that he is not yet ready to set an election date, telling The Tribune shortly after being re-elected party leader that the pace of voter registration was still too slow.
He spoke to The Tribune on the sidelines of the Progressive Liberal Party’s national convention, after he was embraced by a crush of supporters who were all eager to touch and speak with the nation’s leader as he moved through the crowded ballroom of the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel.
“I’ve just been re-elected leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, which is a wonderful experience to have,” Mr Christie said, when asked when he was going to set an election date.
“In fact, I’m so gratified to see the people have given me such an overwhelming support. I’m going to sit for a day or two, talk to colleagues, see where we are moving forward and determine the extent to which we must put more resources into registration because that is the be all and end all. Registration defines when elections take place and so we’re going to be governed by that.”
When asked if he would possibly make an announcement on the election date next month, he shied away from specifics.
“We’re going to be governed by the rate at which people are registered,” he said. “There’s always a number that you are looking for. We’re not at that number now.”
Some party observers had speculated that Mr Christie may have made an announcement pertaining to an election date during his victory speech, after he resoundingly trounced leadership challenger Alfred Sears. As he spoke to the raucous crowd, many shouted for him to “ring the bell” and let voters know when they would be heading to the polls.
While there has been some uptick in the pace of voter registration over the past few weeks, the numbers are much lower when compared to this same period ahead of the 2012 election.
As of January 17, some 80,000 had registered. The 2012 voter registry consisted of 172,000 voters, 134,000 of whom had registered by November 2011.
Earlier this month, Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage expressed concern about the “unprecedented” pace of registration, saying the government has sought to make it more convenient for people to register by increasing registration sites and reducing restrictions.
Comments
DillyTree 7 years, 9 months ago
Unless Perry Christie plans to create 32.000 voters as well, he'll just have to face facts that people aren't registering. There's no one to vote for!
Publius 7 years, 9 months ago
He did not say that. After all this time, the media still is unable to understand what is being said by politicians in The Bahamas.
Honestman 7 years, 9 months ago
People will register once Christie confirms the boundaries. Two can play at this game!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 9 months ago
Sooooooooo, is this the new excuse for not doing your parliamentary duty???????? ............ What does voter registration has to do with political gerrymandering of constituencies?????
The people are playing a cat-and-mouse with the PLP ............. BOL
John 7 years, 9 months ago
As was suggested many years ago, government should introduce drivers education in the public schools. Then all students graduating or leaving school in the 12th grade should be required to register to vote. Those who are not yet 18 will have their registrations activated on their 18th birthday. Unfortunately many of the students will be of Haitian decent and/or of foreign parentage and may not qualify to register. The problem is after many young men graduate or finish school, they engage in anti-social behavior and do not participate in things like voter registration or even voting. Maybe some special effort, beyond what is already in place, may be needed to get these young to register. Maybe mobile vans going into neighborhoods and assisting some of them with procuring the documents necessary to register. Unfortunately our society has bred this segment that needs to be babied and nourished, even as grown men. sometimes they just want that added attention.
hallmark 7 years, 9 months ago
Hoping for Bahamar to open so that he can have something to brag about at the rallies.
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