‘DON’T PANIC’: Dames urges would-be voters to stay calm and ignore election guesses

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, July 22, 2021

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A RUSH of people seeking to register to vote on Monday forced Parliamentary Registration Department centres to extend satellite office hours to accommodate the surge.

As a result, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames yesterday urged eligible Bahamian voters to remain “calm” and “relaxed” until the next general election is called, insisting people should “not give into individuals panicking members of the public” as only the Prime Minister knows the election date.

Several registration centres were inundated with people on Monday seeking to get registered and make constituency transfers ahead of the next general election.

Many Bahamians who queued on the long lines told The Tribune their decision to visit the centres was influenced by Progressive Liberal Party leader Phillip “Brave” Davis’ recent call for people to get registered as soon as possible.

Mr Davis made the plea to Bahamians on Sunday after telling reporters he expects Dr Minnis to dissolve Parliament and announce an early election as soon as this week – an assertion that has since been brushed off by the Prime Minister.

Yesterday, Mr Dames said: “Only one person knows that date and until we hear from that person, I think we should all be calm and relaxed and not give into individuals panicking members of the public. The Prime Minister is, according to law, that person and so we all await when he decides the date of election and we will all be ready and prepared.”

Speaking generally about the rush at registration centres, Mr Dames acknowledged that Mr Davis’ “premature” announcements were responsible for triggering the large crowds in both New Providence and Grand Bahama.

He said department centres had to extend their satellite office hours to accommodate the number of people who showed up to register and change their addresses.

“It was out of the blue and hence today, if those numbers do show up again, you will see much better organisation and planning around that,” the Mount Moriah MP said before going to a Cabinet meeting.

However, he admitted the high interest in people wanting to vote this election cycle is good for democracy.

“That’s a good thing for any democracy and we know the job we have ahead of us,” Mr Dames said. “And we have been planning and preparing and have been meeting on a weekly basis, sometimes a few times a week with the parliamentary commissioner because we want to ensure that these are the best executed elections in our history (and) given the changes in the amendments to the legislation, we have to prepare accordingly.

“I said to some of my colleagues a few weeks ago that let’s take for example, the advanced polls. In 2017, we had close to 4,000 persons who participated in the advanced polls but this time is different due to the amendments or the act so we can anticipate anywhere in the area of close to 40,000 persons and so we have to prepare for that and we’re working on building those teams that will manage this from the office as well as those areas where persons will be called upon to vote whenever the election is called.”

Yesterday, Mr Dames added that officials are working feverishly to avoid a repeat of the chaotic scenes that were seen in the 2017 election during advance polls.

“We’re trying to avoid that and I on a regular basis continue to remind the parliamentary commissioner and his team that we certainly don’t want to see a recurrence of that and the task this time around is far greater,” he told reporters.

“...We can expect to see close to 40,000 (voters) and so if you look at the comparisons, we have to look at the number of centres and we have to ensure that our operations team behind the scene is in place and we’re also looking at introducing to this technology that will make the job much easier,” Mr Dames added.

“The days of handwriting and everything it’s cumbersome and antiquated and we’re hoping for this advanced poll, whenever the Prime Minister hopes to call the election, that we will have technology driving the results and the outcome.”

However, he said no digital voting will take place this election cycle.

Asked yesterday if voting ballots have already been sent to the Family Islands in preparation for the general election, Mr Dames refused to directly answer yesterday.

He only said: “Well, let’s put it this way, whenever the Prime Minister decides to call an election, you can expect that the Parliamentary Registration Department will be ready.”

According to Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson, more than 191,000 people are currently registered to vote in the upcoming election.

Unless called earlier, the election is not due until May 2022.

bahamianson 3 years, 4 months ago

and the cycle continues. okay, just so you know, in the next 4-5 years the opposition will scream 'snap election', like every opposition does . It is not a secret ; it has been happening for the past 40 years. bahamians , as we all know, wait until the last minute to do anything. I thought i should mention that , so you will know. All you do is , go register to vote. actually, this is racist. the government is trying to prevent poor, black people from voting. This is an obstacle to suppress the poor, black man/ woman. Jim crow , i smell a rat.

Sickened 3 years, 4 months ago

This could all be avoided if our MP's would do what they promised and fix an election date. And if this egotistical man in charge would stop laughing inside every time someone suggests an election date.
Power is driving this once decent man (Minnis) insane.

tribanon 3 years, 4 months ago

The very corrupt, power-crazed, arrogant, nasty and vindictive Minnis was never decent.

Emilio26 3 years, 4 months ago

Tribanon it's clear as day that you hate Dr. Minnis with a passion.

tribanon 3 years, 4 months ago

And why do you think I should be any different than most registered voters given all that he has done to harm our country and its people while greatly enriching himself and his cronies? Consider that a rhetorical question.

bogart 3 years, 4 months ago

Indeed, indeed, indeed Enno26, many Bahamians have been inflicted the gross blatant egregious horrible horrible wrongs by the previous govt wid their cohorts, cronies and people replied wiyh the almost destruction of that party last election, from their pedestal of 25 seats to seem historic blowout incl losing the seat of their party leader an prime minister. Now, now with responded, the seems largest of seats gains resulted to 35 seats and still egregious blatant, horrible wrongs not resolved, many are expectedly upset and still steadfastly courage willing to continue struggle for a better country. To Tribanon I can suggest that the criticisms would carry more impact if it is not overshadowed, sidetracked by some descriptions of the individual solely commonly commented on. Keep on with the struggle for a better Bahamas Trib.

tribanon 3 years, 4 months ago

All Bahamians 18 years of age and older should ensure that their name is included in the current register of voters maintained by the Parliamentary Registration Department for the constituency where they live.

If for whatever reason you do not currently possess a purple voter's card with a photo of yourself on it, or you have such a purple voter's card but you have changed the constituency where you live since the last national general election, then you should seek to obtain a new or updated voter's card from the Parliamentary Registration Department or one of its designated satellite offices at the earliest possible time.

And all Bahamians 18 years of age and older who are currently living abroad should remember that they too are eligible to vote in the upcoming national general election provided they follow the appropriate procedures for doing so.

A high voter turnout across all constituencies will be vital to freeing ourselves from the evil curse of Minnis that has plagued our nation and its people since May 2017.

Emilio26 3 years, 4 months ago

The general election is not until next year therefore hold your horses.

tetelestai 3 years, 4 months ago

I hope you are right. Regardless, I think tribanon is right.

tribanon 3 years, 4 months ago

Dream on @Emilio26. Bahamian voters know all about snap elections and why it's so important for them to ensure at the earliest possible time that they are properly registered to vote. The general election is imminent because Minnis is now most fearful of being mortally bitten by another major wave of the Wuhan Virus, more specifically the highly transmissable Delta variant.

And let's not forget that most domestic and international financial institutions are reluctant to grant any additional significant loans and other credit facilities to the current Minnis led FNM government without first knowing whether it has the continued support of the people as evidenced by the outcome of a national general election.

Do you feel the noose tightening? You should.

Sickened 3 years, 4 months ago

I'm not voting anymore. I can't stand the idea that I can only pick someone to represent my area but I have no say on who will hold high office and control all aspects of governance. Simply picking an MP is stupid, as it is clear that they don't have any say in government. If a dictator gets in power (as has been the case with every leader we have had so far) they simply manipulate everyone in cabinet and in ministries to do as they are told. THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY!!!!

JohnDoes 3 years, 4 months ago

It is a democracy, it is your job to pick the party representative in your area that you want in, in hopes that others do the same so that your party obtains enough seats to win over the majority. Thats how it works, have a problem? Blame your majesty.

mandela 3 years, 4 months ago

The PM says regester quickly and gives out what appears to be hints as to suggest an early election. The National security Minister says don't panic be calm, the FNM is playing games with its citizens and throwing the blame like always on someone else, The Health blames the spike in COVID-19 infections on the citizens during the Independence holiday.

JohnDoes 3 years, 4 months ago

The govt is not playing games. The problem is the public loves to run wild with Rumors and conspiracies without factual evidence and then they get mad when they find out that all these 'rumors' turn out to be false. I think Minnis is sensible enough to give Bahamians enough time to register etc when ever he decides to call an election. Bahamians love to panic over the stupidest things that only common sense could prevent. I know you all are anxious but please be patient. Stop letting Davis hype yall up over nonsense.

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