Crowds at the advanced poll at Gambier Primary School in the Killarney constituency. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
VOTERS CONCERNED OVER SOCIAL DISTANCING
A DAY after the Ministry of Health confirmed the highly contagious Delta variant is the predominant COVID-19 strain in The Bahamas, some voters expressed concern about the minimal social distancing at some advanced polling stations.
At Sadie Curtis Primary School where constituents of Seabreeze, Nassau Village and Pinewood cast their votes, people were not always six feet apart, causing arguments to break out at times. And during the early hours of voting at Doris Johnson Senior High School where people from Yamacraw, St Annes and Elizabeth assembled, a logjam formed near the entry into the voting area.
“There are some logistical issues that are trying to be ironed out,” Elizabeth incumbent Dr Duane Sands acknowledged at the site, noting that organisers were making adjustments. Asked if he was concerned about the lack of social distancing, the former health minister said “yes”.
Some voters also said they felt uneasy among the crowds.
“I did not feel safe in there at all just now,” said Mrs Rolle, a 47-year-old Seabreeze woman who voted at Sadie Curtis. “Everyone was bungled up, they did not practice proper protocols around me and there was a lot of arguing in there because people were concerned about their safety. Quite frankly, I think it was not planned properly and as someone who is working next week, it’s terrifying to know that if they don’t fix the glitches we would encounter this next week again.”
Yamacraw resident Winnie Linden, 53, described the scene as “careless.”
“He had ample time to wait,” she said, referring to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. “And he did it in the height of this wave of what you call it, the (COVID) virus. This was a reckless decision.”
Jared Rigby, a 43-year-old Elizabeth constituent, said the advanced poll did not appear to be organised.
“I saw a total collapse of any semblance of organisation in there this morning because we didn’t sit down and adequately plan what was going to take place and how we were going to make every potential challenge that would present itself today,” he said.
Yesterday, the Parliamentary Registration Department said voting for Family Island constituencies at the University of The Bahamas had been extended for an additional 30 minutes and ended at 6.30pm, in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Other polls closed at 6pm.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THOUSANDS of people braved long lines, the sweltering heat and little to no social distancing to vote in yesterday’s advanced poll.
Although ten schools were designated around New Providence as polling sites, at many places crowds of people were seen huddled close together to gain entry into the voting locations.
There were reports that at least one person fainted at a polling location due to the conditions yesterday.
National Security Minister Marvin Dames, who has responsibility for elections, admitted yesterday there were a few “kinks” during the advanced poll, but expressed confidence the voting process will run smoothly for next week’s general election.
“This is the first time certainly for us after the amendments and the legislation so if you could recall just in 2017 when we had the advanced poll, it was at one central location where persons were assembled and I think somewhere around 3,000 plus voters,” Mr Dames told reporters at Government High School.
“But today, I always say to my colleagues, that we’re dealing with a mini election here so you’re talking about 30,000 plus voters so that will come with some little kinks here that the Parliamentary Registration Department is working to kind of figure out and address and I think it’s working.
“People are voting and that’s what’s important. At the end of the day, we would want Bahamians to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and that is happening but this is a typical Bahamian election,” he added.
When The Tribune first arrived at Government High School shortly before 8am, long lines extended around the block into the Yellow Elder community, with little to no social distancing observed.
The high school was the designated voting site for voters in the Englerston, Mount Moriah and St Barnabas constituencies.
About five minutes after 8am, voters were allowed inside the school’s premises, with some enduring the long queues for hours before gaining entry.
Heated rows erupted at times between frustrated voters at the Yellow Elder polling site, with some complaining about people skipping lines.
“There was little confusion at the door,” voter Marie Meadows told The Tribune. “Some persons was saying they didn’t want the elderly go in before them and then some was saying this (person) was jumping in the line.”
At C V Bethel Senior High School, there were also chaotic scenes. As crowds continued to swell, tents had to be erected to shield voters from the sun.
Voters in the Bamboo Town and South Beach constituencies voted at the polling site.
“This is chaotic,” said one woman, who asked to remain anonymous.
“They had more than enough time. They say election was short but they have more than enough time to do better than this. They have people in here like cattle, they up underneath each other. If they didn’t have COVID before they came, they gone have it before they leave. This is ridiculous. If this is what September 16 gone be like, we in big trouble.”
Another voter said the process could have been smoother.
“They could’ve put up some shading for (us) the senior citizens because they had ample time to prepare and make the necessary changes. They should’ve taken in consideration that it would’ve been a bright sunny day today so they should’ve made preparations for both events,” said Glenn Hepburn.
At the Gambier Primary School, in the Killarney constituency, a line quickly formed well ahead of the polling station’s opening.
By 8.30am, that line snaked its way from inside the school’s gate where police officers stood guard and passed political tents lining one side of the road, stopping just before a popular conch stand at the end of the corner.
Many of those waiting in line in the gruelling sun said the wait was hours long.
Others who had made it inside the school’s campus huddled under trees and gravitated towards anywhere that looked cool and shaded.
Despite this, Gambier Primary was considered one of the more orderly polling stations with VIP voters, including former Prime Minister Perry Christie, former Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling and Court of Appeal President Sir Michael Barnett.
Despite the large crowds, many voters who spoke to this newspaper said they were not concerned about catching COVID-19 as they were fully vaccinated.
Yesterday, Mr Dames said there will occasionally be “bumps and hitches,” but assured the public that things should run smoothly going forward.
“From time to time there are some bumps and hitches here and there but for the most part I commend the presiding officers and all of those who are working here today for the job that they’re today,” the Mount Moriah incumbent said.
“What we’re talking about here is like a mini-election having to figure it all out here and as you could see we have it divided into three constituencies here. There are St Barnabas, Englerston and Mount Moriah and each of them have any number of rooms and I think there are somewhere in the area six candidates representing six political parties.
“And so that is new for us but after having said all that I’m encouraged that things will continue to flow and flow smoothly. The thing is, the objective is to give everyone the opportunity to vote and to exercise their constitutional rights and that’s been happening,” he also said.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd added: “As you would expect for the first time on a permanent register, the first time that we’re having this many persons register and vote on advanced polling day, obviously you would have a little hiccup here and there but I’m pleased what’s going on and how we’re exercising the democratic right.”
Additional reporting by Khrisna Russell
Comments
ohdrap4 3 years, 3 months ago
No. Does not look safe.
I would not go there.
stillwaters 3 years, 3 months ago
Is this the best we can do?
Greentea 3 years, 3 months ago
Stillwaters- the answer is no. its not the best we can do- but the best in the Bahamas are never called on by insecure politicians with agendas to do the right thing. Chaos works for them. Its deadly for us.
Proguing 3 years, 3 months ago
No, and to think that last year we had fewer Covid infections, fewer Covid hospitalizations, but the whole country was in lockdown. What a difference a year makes!
Dawes 3 years, 3 months ago
I blame all. The Government should have done better, however the people by now must know what 6ft means and how to social distance. Many videos i saw people were unable to maintain their distance and seem to not understand a mask is to go over their mouth and nose and not their chin. At some point we all need to accept responsibility.
TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago
Memo most urgency matter to the Office of the Prime Minister OPM:
— Shouldn't OPM — Want the 30,000 thousand of Popoulaces — including the aged and disabled — who braved long lines to trust that their medical doctor prime minister to keep them safe at the advance polls and alive upon returning to their places of abode and workplaces?
— It sure as hell was the sacred burden responsibility taken seriously by we colony's four previous holders entrusted Premierships. —
c.c. Marvin Dames, Renward Wells — you two, could've provided the aged and disabled who grew thirsty — having to stand outside in the blistering heat with the courtesy bottle water — Yes?
YoungSir242 3 years, 3 months ago
There are more than enough government and private schoosl in Nassau and around the family of islands. Why in God's name they have two and three constituencies voting at the same place? This process was not well thought out or mapped out.
Jetflt 3 years, 3 months ago
Why do some of you seem surprised? Have you ever known anything the Gov't touches or gets involved in to be seamless and smooth?
mandela 3 years, 3 months ago
Mr. Marvin Dames is a flip-flopper and no truth ever seems to come out of his mouth. To call an early election during the worst time ever shows exactly how much this government cares about the people they want to gain trust from, they cared more about their agenda than the lives of us their employers. Disgraceful, uncaring, ruthless. If there is no compassion shown to the disabled voters, then for the healthy dog eat your lunch.
Sickened 3 years, 3 months ago
An almost complete disaster! Not surprised at all.
quavaduff 3 years, 3 months ago
Yes it does look safe .... safer than most pics in this paper
People are all masked up in line for their votes.... it would have been nice if they offered vaccines at the polls
Do all of you complainers have your vaccine?
JokeyJack 3 years, 3 months ago
So we have 30,000 voters when only 10,000 have been approved? So are they already programming the people to accept the additional 20,000 FNM votes as normal? Ballot boxes have not been sealed. Several of them. Wonder if any ballots might accidentally fall in them?
quavaduff 3 years, 3 months ago
here comes the Bahamian tRumpsters...already setting up for the big lie
JokeyJack 3 years, 3 months ago
ALL candidates, even FNM from Pinewood are on video on Lincoln FB page stating that the boxes went in the bus unsealed.
Proguing 3 years, 3 months ago
Hmmm I hope this won't be a stolen election like in the US
bahamianson 3 years, 3 months ago
Looks like the grocery store line. Stop panicking.It is ok.
whogothere 3 years, 3 months ago
Yep it’s pretty safe -
https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/22…
TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago
Beggin' ask if, Talkie Show Host Comrade Juan is just playin' the on-radio fool to shield his beloved Red Party about who in — actuality — runs colony's elections. — Yes?
JokeyJack 3 years, 3 months ago
Exactly. Juan has become such a pushover
TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago
Apparently, the attempt was made to steer Comrade Papa Hubert away from marking his X for Candidate Lincoln Bain. — Yes?
whogothere 3 years, 3 months ago
Well look at that: COVID illness and death occurs almost exclusively in those with PROFOUND comorbidity: surprise!
Less than 1% of deaths had no chronic conditions
96% of deaths had 2+ conditions
Nearly 70% had 6 or MORE co-morbidities
https://cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2021/pdf/21_…
John 3 years, 3 months ago
Even the most diehard FNMs are not in agreement or support of what happened yesterday. In fact many do not appreciate how Minnis has been conducting himself vdince Elections we’re called and even before then. He’s he ) Minnis ) forgotten that he is still the competent authority and that the country is still in pandemic? How mao people will choose not to vote rather than dying to vote. Reality must be hitting Minnis real hard that here is a strong possibility that he and the FNM may lose this election. And it was all his making. Marvin Dames done meltdown too.. the possibility of jail looms over some if not many Let us pray and continue to bury the dead. At least they deserve that amount of dignity.
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