The Tribune

Khrisna Virgil canvasses election day opinions in Mount Moriah as the candidates await the voters’ choice . . .

DESPITE a strong showing of support for Free National Movement Mount Moriah candidate Marvin Dames yesterday, incumbent Progressive Liberal Party candidate Arnold Forbes said he was confident that his party would not only retain representation in the constituency, but remain in power.

Speaking to The Tribune as hundreds of voters turned out at Government High School and St John’s College yesterday to cast ballots, Mr Forbes said ultimately, constituents are quite aware of what the Christie administration has done for the country.

Meanwhile, Democratic National Alliance candidate Dr Leon Higgs expressed confidence in a win also for the third party in the area and over both the PLP and FNM to lead the country.

According to officials of the Parliamentary Registration Department the voting process in Mount Moriah experienced no hiccups or reports of tampering. The process at both polling stations also began on time at 8am, officials told The Tribune.

“I feel great about my candidacy,” Mr Forbes said on the sidelines of voting at GHS in Yellow Elder Gardens.

“My voters are out. I believe that by 1pm or 2pm this will be a done deal. I believe that we will retain the Mount Moriah constituency for the Progressive Liberal Party. The people know work when they see it. They know who has been working and they know who they can trust to get the work done and I believe that I am still the man for Mount Moriah.

“Other than being visible in my community I can also say that what shored up my support was being there for the people when they need me. Whether it was Hurricane Matthew a few months ago providing building supplies, I was the first man out after the hurricane providing water for every family in this constituency.

“The PLP is a party that does the difficult tasks. We complete difficult tasks. When there is a difficult decision to be made in this county it is historically proven that the PLP is that party.”

Mr Dames seemed optimistic about his political run for the constituency; however, he was not eager to say he believed a win was forthcoming.

He said: “We have executed our plan and we felt that our plan was a good one and so we are excited. We are not going to sit back and pine over it. We put in the effort. We were the first campaign that came out with a constituency plan and the first constituency in The Bahamas with an annual report card for the member of Parliament. People want representation. “They are sick and tired of politicians who show up a few weeks before a general election with gifts. People want an opportunity to provide for their families year round.”

Asked how he thought it was possible to win this seat while both major parties have strong candidate, Mr Higgs said he was certain that the DNA’s message resonated with voters, giving him confidence in a victory.

Mr Higgs said: “I think our message has resonated with voters in the area. This is a result of interacting with people. One of the things that came out is that a lot of the young men in the area are hurting and sometimes they need someone who they can open up to and in a lot of cases they are not there.

“So one thing I will focus on is once I am the representative for this area is a mentoring programme for the young people in this community and that is something that several of them mentioned to me and I agree. I think that has resonated with the constituents,” he said.