HEALTH Minister Renward Wells. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Renward Wells said “of course” the country could soon hold a general election in view of the current state of COVID-19 in the country, even if Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis were to call an early election as early as today.
He spoke after the Free National Movement ratified its final four candidates for the general election last night.
Mr Wells said rallies can also be held in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.
His comment came as FNM insiders brace for an announcement from Dr Minnis that the election will soon be held. The Tribune understands the FNM has secured its election paraphernalia in the country and has drawn up rally dates. This newspaper further understands that the party is planning a short but vigorous campaign. The expectation of members, however, is tempered by the fact that the decision ultimately rests with Dr Minnis who can change his mind at any moment.
“We’re conducting the opening up of our economy,” Mr Wells said. “Tourists are coming here. The airport is opening. Taxi car drivers are moving. Our people are moving throughout the community. Folks are following the health protocols.
“If the election is called tomorrow, we know how to walk and chew gum at the same time as a people. We have been doing such since November of last year when we began to open up this economy. The Bahamian people can trust us because they know we have done what is necessary to lead this country through extremely difficult times.”
Asked about rallies, Mr Wells said: “There are safe ways to hold rallies, hey, and we don’t need to look any further than what took place in November last year in the United States. Rallies have been held in cars, Democrats stood up on their stage and there were others in vehicles and they were able to speak and get their message out.
“The Republicans on their side, they held in person rallies and the Democrats held rallies where they were on the stage and persons were in vehicles so there are many ways within the confines of the health protocols to hold rallies to be able to get your message out. We live in an age where in social media, through the media, one is able to get his or her message out and at any point in time if we were to move in that direction and I don’t speak for the prime minister, everyone knows the prime minister’s tongue ain’ got no bone, he could speak for himself, but if he was to grab the spear of destiny and point it in the direction of the general election, then the troops of the Free National Movement are ready and able to get out their task and carry the message that we have been carrying over the next four years.
“We have a government that is tried, tested and proven through crisis. There (are) no ifs ands or buts about it. Whether it’s long or short, we gon’ still take flight. Whether the runway is long or short, this administration is still going to take flight.”
The FNM, meanwhile, ratified Dr Minnis, Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister, Labour Director John Pinder and the officer-in Charge of Road Traffic in Grand Bahama Welbourne Bootle last night in the Killarney, Carmichael, Fox Hill and Pineridge constituencies respectively.
Comments
TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago
This is what Red Party does when it's still stuck in phase one vaccine jabs, it reverts general election calling threats when it has descended to its lowest point by placing in charge a known $650,000 Letter of Intent's abuser PLP, be lecturing his now Red colleagues, yes?
tribanon 3 years, 3 months ago
Is he telling us if the state of COVID-19 is not good come the deadline by which the election must be held in May 2022, the election will have to be indefinitely postponed? LOL
LMAO
LMAO x 1,000
LMAO x 10,000
LMAO x 100,000
ROTF x 1,000,000
ROTF x 1000,000,000
No cracks me up like Wells ! Damn, my ribs hurt like hell !!
@coakley4mical 3 years, 3 months ago
5 Political Cents/Sense in Constitutional Transformation
Mind you there are far more national policy that needs to addressed, but here based on what Renward Wells said, I will limit this to first 5 common sense for Political equality, fairness and justice in addition to greater transparency and rule of law without the gimmicks or Politricks. . I believe that the time is dawning near when we will or should have: (1.) An Absolute Permanent (National) Registry Open (Nat.ROPE) (2.) A Fixed Election Date (FED) Even though #1 seems contra-productive to #2 they both lead to a lower electoral Political Entropy (e-POLE). The lower the e-POLE the better, the more across the broad it is for everyone & the more informed the electorate on election day. Imagine; it is like going to university and knowing when you have an exams as oppose to pop-quizzes or pop-midterms! get the Point! (3) Equi-parity in Constituency that avoids gerrymandering and the electoral under-mindedness. This equation is based on population density, island habitation. (4) An Elected Senate (5) Reduced term limits to 4 yrs. possibly instead of 5 yrs, as oppose to 6 yrs. Can anyone imagine The 2017 Hubert Minnis & The FNM with 6 yrs. instead, to make a difference & they don't, then who is actually to blame. The People - The Majority of The Electorate for the error, but no use crying over spilt milk afterwards, just not make the same error again. Or imagine it was the 2012 Perry G. Christie & The PLP, or imagine the fantasy world of dreamland, make believe and it was the 2012 Branv. McCartney & The RNA or the 2021/2022 Arinthi. Kolomafe & The m-RNA. Iconically & ironically, 2012 Branv & The RNA reminded me of https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fu…">Isaiah 14:12-15 , get the picture? Also, on election day; was reminiscent of Sunday school https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fu…">Luke 10:17-18 A PLP by the name of R. Wells politically destroyed B McCartney and dismissed the FNM Cassius Stuart. Even Cassius Stuart KO (Knocked Out) Branv McCartney
BAHAMIAN LIFESPAN DECREASE LESS UNDER WELLS THAN SANDS
In this time of high murder rate "Mirage Maker" Marvin Dames tried to convince the public via the HOA that crime rate has decreased & allegedly insinuating that their administration & policies were directly responsible. However; still the most important statistic is Homicide Rate (HORA) that's what affects the public the most gravely! The 2 Cabinet Ministers that affect the Life Span of Bahamians directly thru their party's policy: Dr. Duane Sands (Past) & Mr. Renward, Wells (Present). Woow! A non-medical professional seems to be doing better than an actual doctor in the face of a crisis:non-crisis situation.
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