Posted By: Legal Mind On: 3/24/2010

Title: @Let's Move On

I did read the ruling sloooooowwwwwwllllly. And it makes no sense at all. The Presiding Officer allowed these people to vote on Protest Ballots...that is a normal procedure that is spelled out in statute. Frankly, your version of how things should be done would create more disenfranchisement and fraud than you seem to realize. And, you are also saying that if you are a resident of the constituency, then you get to vote - irrelevant of the registrar. Well, what is the point of registering to vote at all - just show i.d. and go at it. That ruling went a lot farther than residency but I guess you are reading a different ruling if you disagree.

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/24/2010

Title: Last post on this issue

@Legal mind, read my post again slooowly. The judges basically said the presiding officer allowed the person to vote. They were not judging the legitimacy of that. Having allowed the person to vote, they had to determine if the person was entitled to have the vote counted. Again, the presiding officer should not have let the person vote. Period. But, he did. Having done so, the judges were then determining if the voter was in fact a resident of the constituency. That's all they were doing with each voter, and noone provided evidence otherwise.

Posted By: Legal mind On: 3/24/2010

Title: @Let's Move On

With all due respect, the ruling is hypocritical on its face by its own language. I did not say it was complex - in fact, it was very simple it is improper analysis. Nothing complex about it. It is in derogation of clear statutory requirements to which the Court refers. Anyone who can read English can figure that one out. It also eviscerates the need for a register as in the case of Voter F - the Court held that it does not matter whether or not you registered to vote....that is unequivocal. Voter F did not meet the requirements to vote at all and that is explained in detail in the ruling. The Court admitted that Voter F did not meet the requirements to Vote per the Act but held that said requirements are not prohibitory - well why have requirements if you don't have to follow them? Frankly, per this ruling....and its very limited inquiry, one could vote if they have i.d. and show a couple of affidavits....who cares about the register....it does not matter anymore. As for "Let's Move On..." - no. If all of us just accept bad rulings from Courts - then the law is not needed at all. Let's just have a free for all. This ruling was clearly political. Whatever. At least anyone reading it can see that....not much anyone is going to do about it because it is not worth it. I see voter fraud increasing after it though....big time.

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/24/2010

Title: Nothing complex at all

There's nothing confusing about the ruling. The judges said that if the presiding officer allowed the person to vote then the person must have met the criteria to vote, and they are not inquiring into that. Having allowed the person to vote, they are now inquiring as to whether the person was a legitimate resident of the constituency, which noone provided any evidence to dispute. Nothing complicated at all. The presiding officer erred in allowing the person to vote, having done so the vote was counted because the person met the requirements.

Posted By: Legal mind On: 3/24/2010

Title: @My Understanding

Right regarding the Voter F reference; absolutely incorrect on the analysis...the Court held that the provisions of Section 57(1)(b) are "directory" but not "prohibitory" - that is in derogation of the rules of statutory construction...Section 57(1)(b) uses the words "No person shall be permitted to vote unless"....that language in and of itself is prohibitory. Voter F did not produce a Voters Card and was not on the registrar, among other things. This ruling is crazy from a purely legal perspective and effectively eviscerates the need for a registrar.

Posted By: My Understanding On: 3/24/2010

Title: @ Legal Mind

Legal Mind seems to be referring to Voter F. In the judgement the justices go out of their way to state that they are not reviewing whether this person should have been allowed to vote by the returning officer, but having been allowed to vote (albeit on a coloured ballot) were entitled to have that vote counted. To me this seems correct. We still need the register though and voters should register to vote and when their names do not appear on the register and they cannot provide a voter's card, they should not be allowed to vote at all.

Posted By: N. Saunders On: 3/24/2010

Title: travesty of justice

i think the court's ruling was unfair. it seems now that people from one constituency can vote in another legally. Dr. Sands should have won because he is a caring Bahamian physician. Mr. Pinder only now sees fit to contribute to the country because he sought high office. Sometimes we need to put politics aside and look at the big picture. I think the people of lizzie will live to regret this decision.

Posted By: Legal mind On: 3/24/2010

Title: @Very Confused

You bring up very good questions regarding this ruling. It appears you can vote if you prove you live in the constituency at the time of the election whether or not you updated your information with the registrar. So, I guess we don't need a registrar anymore.

Posted By: VERY CONFUSED On: 3/24/2010

Title: Confused

Can someone please tell me;WAS A NEW LAW INTRODUCED FROM THE BENCH?????
CAN I NOW VOTE IN ANY CONSTITUENCY?
CAN I NOW VOTE NOT HAVING REGISTERED?
can someone any one answer that for me THANK YOU!!!!!!

Posted By: Puzzled On: 3/24/2010

Title: Very puzzling

Ms. Robertson, could you please clarify something for me. I seem to remember that Mr. Philip Davis, Ryan Pinder's lead counsel presented and affidavit to the Court sworn by a surveyor certifying that one of the protest voters did not in fact live in Elizabeth and so was not entitled to vote in the Election. If this is so, then how is it that vote was still allowed. Could you please clarity that for me. Unless I missed something or I understood it wrong. That is puzzling to say the least.

Posted By: PAUL HANNA MK11 On: 3/24/2010

Title: NON BAHAMIAN

YES THERE IS A LOT OF CORRUPTION AND YES IN A VERY LOT OF WAYS WE ARE THIRD WORLD. YES SOME GOVERNMENT PEOPLE ARE CORRUPT.AND MOST IMPORTANTLY UNTIL THE BAHAMAS VOTES WORKING CLASS PEOPLE IN AS M.P.S WHO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE ON THE POVERTY LINE.THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PROBLEMS.BUT IF YOU DONT VOTE THEN YOU DONT HAVE A SAY SO BE QUIET PLEASE.

Posted By: Outsider looking in On: 3/24/2010

Title: ryan

Until we start voting for the best candidate, there will always be those who vote party first! Is that intelligence!

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/24/2010

Title: Where is paradise?

@Eramus, this long dialogue could have been avoided if you had balanced your comments from the beginning. There is good and bad everywhere, there is no perfect place, and like with a child you can't continuously point out the negative alone. We have been an independent country for less than forty years, we are a young, growing country and still working out the kinks. Of course there are things to be improved, as there always will be. We may go through some rough periods before it gets better, but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water in our discussions. I think you love this country, but you also like a good debate!

Posted By: Funny On: 3/24/2010

Title: Ready to kick back

Time to watch all them small businesses Ryan promised to lizzie. So glad this is all on the website so we can look to lizzie in two years and see what happened....I am so dying to see how a US citizen will do in our HOA. Might be good just to get tons of outside members of the HOA after this. Ready for the show....don't know the ending...gotta wait for that.

Posted By: Stanley Jackson Sr. On: 3/24/2010

Title: Congratulations PLP & FNM

I simply consider myself as a Bahamian with a strong desire to see a truly better Bahamas for generations to come and will support ANY PARTY that offers what I feel is best for The Bahamas. I must however congratulate the PLP, FNM and Bahamians at large for allowing the democratic process to work in solving this by-election without violence. It is also most impressive that no one degraded us all by playing the race card one way or another. Having lived in the U.S.A. for a decade and experiencing racism first hand, and now watching what is now happening with President Obama and the Republicans, it is a pleasure to not have the hateful and ignorant dogma of racism affect this by-election. That all being said....We still have a hell of a lot of work to do in building our Nation. The PLP & FNM are still dismal failures and should both be kicked out and replaced by men and women with the vision and integrity to solve decade’s old problems head-on without bias. How we get there is the question that needs to be addressed. One time proven certainty is...We cannot keep voting in these same two groups and expect different results…We are getting nowhere.

Posted By: Reds On: 3/24/2010

Title: Trying Ryan

Well!!!!! I hope after Trying Ryan all we here in Lizzy gone be business owner....... Now tell me that ien sumtin to shout about.................
So to all da haters get on board. Kennedy once said "Ask not what your country can do for you but rather what you can do for your country" Man ur can't find sumone soo commited and Patriotic like Ryan cus him even renounce him Birth Right. Boy u bes did win cus ien know man u mussy was ga have to aks "PAPA" for a JOB. BUt, oh Lord!!!!!!!! I jus member u Daddy own so much land and businesses u straight......
You bes make sure we in Lizzy straight cus ur rein will be be short lived and we will be tryin someone else.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/24/2010

Title: Let's end on the Good Points

I would like to end this discussion on a positive note, not to ignore the negatives and things we need to change but just to show some good, albeit if just a few.
Good points :
* sun, sand and sea; some decent honest christians; friendly people, foreign investors can take their profits out of the country and Hubert Ingraham because he allows it.
* freedom of those foreigners and Bahamians who regard The Bahamas as backward and hold it in disdain to leave and yet return as they always do.
* The Bahamas is successful thus far and have wonderful sand. The Bahamas is beyond beautiful, one of the most beautiful places and happy to call it home. Change can actually happen in The Bahamas, and we should look toward what is better, like Scandanivia and Switzerland.
*I too love The Bahamas and believe most of us are decent and honest people striving to build our country for ourselves and our children. We have produce ambassadors all over the world and great statesmen and women at home. We might be a relativelly poor developing country but we do have a respected place in the world. All countries have their problems and some of the "better" ones have more than us. But we need to move on to better ourselves.
Non Bahamians, it is" Better in The Bahamas" and that's why you keep coming.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Good Points

Erasmus , You have said, The Bahamas is successful thus far and have wonderful sand. The Bahamas is beyond beautiful, one of the most beautiful places you have seen and you are happy to call it home. Change can actually happen in The Bahamas and we should look toward what is better, like Scandanivia and Switzerland. Thank you.

Posted By: supporter On: 3/23/2010

Title: STEADY HANDS..

"STEADY HANDS... STEADY HANDS... THEY EEN VOTE FA SANDS... STEADY HANDS.. STEADY HANDS...THEY EEN VOTE FA SANDS!!!"

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Good Points Summation

Erasmus, I got the bad. Really I got it and I agree. But you said there is good; please balance your comments. Let us show that side to the Non Bahamians as well so that they do not believe we are all bad. You have not named one good point yet to show why you are still a Bahamian and living here. If you continue to tell a child he is no good he will only believe that; you have to tell him what is wrong but also you must help him to understand and develop his good points.

Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 3/23/2010

Title: @Bahamian

The good takes care of itself; the bad are the problems to be solved. Forward thinking people focus on the business still at hand. Losers dwell on their past accomplishments and past greatness. I prefer problem solving - we have more than enough problems to be solved still. The good is more than taking care of itself; it is what has made us successful this far, but being good and being 'perfect' or 'nearly perfect' are two very, very different notions. We have a lot of problems in this country, a hell of a lot and we have barely scratched the surface of all that still needs to be done. If you don't see it that way, then you must have had your head in our wonderful sand with the sun and the sea washing away your thoughts... The Bahamas is beyond beautiful, without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I am very happy to be from here and call it home, but nothing lasts forever, especially if you don't work at it. We are an 8 on 10 on average in the HDI, while Canada, Scandinavia and Switzerland are all on the high 9's. I, as a Bahamian, am not 'satisfied' with merely being an 8. A country of 350,000 has an advantage over the bigger countries - we can solve problems more quickly if we put our minds to it - less inertia from large population, change can actually happen here. People who always compare to what is 'worse' end up following what is 'worse'; the good compare themselves to what is 'better' and ignore the 'worse' or the rest or the pack or the herd.

Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 3/23/2010

Title: @Bahamian

Of course there is good, I wouldn't be a Bahamian anymore or living here anymore if there wasn't - I would have done my best to emigrate. The point isn't, is there good, the point is, if we sit on our laurels and gloat about it, as we have for the past 40 years, then it won't be good for much longer. All the current indicators, rising crime, D- national average etc of our future 'goodness' aren't so good. I love this country, which is why I WELCOME constructive criticism. To raise a child with love, you don't just give it what it wants all the time. You have to both praise and criticize, reward and punish. It is no different with anything else, love can be tough sometimes, because honesty is tough. We have to be honest with ourselves and where this country is headed. I am not a 'true' FNM either. I vote FNM currently, but my thinking is, leave any party in power long enough without a real opposition and they will become venial and corrupt as well. The current PLP is a complete and utter waste of time, because they don't care about the Bahamas, they care about the PLP and their 'supporters'. I am a true Bahamian, not true PLP or FNM - I don't even know what that means - tribal nonsense! I vote issues and personalities. If you think the Bahamas is perfect, wonderful, but don't silence other people from sharing their insights into the reality of our situation because you happen to think it is perfect. Blind nationalism is what LOP preached and look where it ended placing the country - in the hands of the drug cartels.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Good Points Summation

Good points : sun, sand and sea; some decent honest christians; friendly people, foreign investors can take their profits out of the country and Hubert Ingraham because he allows it. Thanks are there any others?
Add: freedom of those foreigners and Bahamians who regard The Bahamas as backward and hold it in disdain to leave and yet return as they always do. Thanks Let's move on.

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/23/2010

Title: BYE, BYE

One good thing about the Bahamas, if you don't like it here you are free to leave! I don't see Bahamians exiting en masse. Even with our freedom to visit the great USA or Canada, we visit for short periods and return to this backward country. Why? Why do we return to this hell hole? Why don't those who reside here and have so much disdain for this country just leave? Are you suckers for punishment? Just like a woman who won't leave an abusive man? Just leave! Please just leave! We'll make it without you!

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Good Points Summation

Good points : sun, sand and sea; some decent honest christians; friendly people, foreign investors can take their profits out of the country and Hubert Ingraham because he allows it. Thanks are there any others?

Posted By: PLP On: 3/23/2010

Title: Outsider Looking in

You are saying smart people vote FNM and corrupt people vote PLP. What an insult to the Bahamian people by this statement. Well I hope you will be looking in from the outside again in 2012 or before.

Posted By: Bahamian for better changes On: 3/23/2010

Title: electotion

Good things of bahamas, well sun, sand and sea, and some decent honest christians, who really should be running the country. The only thing good, is really bad, and that is those foreign companies that invest there, take their money out of the country. The high customs duties, turn good people into dishonest customs claimants, duty is way to high! back stabbers best describe our people, they do not look out for one another, oh sorry I was suppose to write good things, man its really hard too! okay friendly people, but some dirty cussing ones too, too many hang on the blocks, men have no respect for women, not all men, but seems most, the sweethearting thing....disgusting...okay positives....hmmmm Hubert Ingraham is the best PM the country has ever seen, he has his faults just like everyone else. How people could call him names and judge him just because Bran left, some saying they will switch to PLP because of it....then they really truly were never a true FNM. Bahamians you cannot go around changing parties because you dont like something that was done, especially if you do not know the facts. Every company has good leaders, and there will always be disagreements, so please do not judge, look at how the country is progressing and ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country.

Posted By: reading from new jersey On: 3/23/2010

Title: elections

To all PLP's on this forum. Please give me 5 reasons you vote PLP. I do not need to ask for the FNM, because they would have a very long and decent list, because they have proven that they are the best party for this nation. I no longer live in Nassau, because I saw no progress being made, gone for over 20 years now, and was thinking about retiring there, but me and my friends will never return if that corrupt PLP gets back in power. Bahamians need to wake up, and give credit where it is due.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: MY Point

As I suspected, all of these comments about The Bahamas are because Ryun and the PlP won. Are you all vex because the PLP won and the judges supported it and so all Bahamians are corrupt and backwards, ignorant and third world etc. I agree with some of the comments about bad but I want to hear something good to make me feel that you are not just bringing us all down. There must be some good. Please respond to the good things of The Bahamas.

Posted By: Outsider looking in On: 3/23/2010

Title: ryan won

One poster wrote he is tired of the FNM foolishness, can you name them! Bahamians will be daft, if they let the PLP back in power. I stopped visiting the Bahamas when the PLP won, and started coming back when the FNM won, I really see the current PM as a man of integrity and goodwill, who will take the Bahamas into a whole new era. The USA should really cut all ties with this corrupt nation. Smart people vote smart, and that seems to be with the current Government FNM. I like what I see under this Government, and believe that it will be better progress for the Bahamian people.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: The Bahamas

Erasmus, Yes, I am happy with The Bahamas for its size and at our stage of development. Now compare us with other countries worse off than us to show the other34side of the comparison. We are not perfect but not as bad as you make us out to be. Having said that we are so bad, please answer if there is no good at all..... We who are Bahamians are proud of the Bahamas but your comments are suggesting that we hang our heads in shame or shoot ourselves for being so wutless. If that is what you mean then you should set the example. If not tell us why you are a proud Bahamian.

Posted By: Reds On: 3/23/2010

Title: What's your POINT 'Bahamain"

Please!!!!!!!!!!! whoever you are other than a Bahamain just like all of us get educated on the facts before you run your mouth and make stupid responses and remarks. Be fair in judgement but!!!!!!! then again we live in a lawless country and today proves it evemore so.
Let us just appear on election day to whatever constitueny we wish to cast our vote do away with the register because obvioulsy it really doesn't hold much water does it? Because, when facts are given and there is reason to believe that someone is not of a particular constitueny and because we wish not to "Muddy the Water" . Hey ! man if we continue to just condone wrong over right illegal over legal what else can we expect but what we are getting.
These peolpe we put in power are not Gods they are citizens justl ike you and I.
The PLP always seem to knock Brent about the past check the history of the PINDERS they are no different. Ryan white just like Brent. "Forward Ever Backward Never" remember that is y'all slogan.

Posted By: Non Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Face the Fact's

Not all are corrupt but after a clear, document path with the PLP track record ( Rolex and new SUV for retiring police, fast track starlet visa, suite case filled with money in closet) does this not prove that there are more than a few problem with the PLP? RP was chosen because of his ability to pay for this race and the fact that the US now has an inside man!
This may not be nice to read or face but after all, it is fact.

Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 3/23/2010

Title: The Bahamas I see...

@Let's move on
Really? So, you see no difference between this country and, let's say, the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and/or Canada? You think we are as 'developed' as they are. You are happy with our education levels? Our health care system? Our roads? Our public service? Our inflated government bureaucracies? Our intense and acute instances of corruption? Our lazy work ethic overall? Our poor visitor return rate? Our shabby tax structure that MAKES Bahamians lose 40% of their GDP to Florida and depletes our foreign reserves? Should I go on?
You think all these things are just fine? We are only going to grow if we stop praising ourselves and actually STUDY the best practices of the best countries in whichever field we are trying to reform/restructure. Check out UN web pages, check out economic think tank web pages. See where the Bahamas really ranks in HDI (human development index) If we keep holding a mirror up and going... we are the fairest of them all, eventually, not even the mirror will be able to lie to us.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Victory

Congratulations to the Bahamian People for their political stance in Elizabeth. Like it or not this is the will of the people.

Posted By: pOOKSTA On: 3/23/2010

Title: PLP VOTER!

HOOORAYYY RYAN THE LION;
PPL TIRED OF THIS GOVERMENT DOING FOOLISHNESS MAN!!!PAPA ROLL OUTT!!!!

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/23/2010

Title: Apply for a green card

@Eramus, please give us some example of our backwardness.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: I Speak for Me and Others Like me.

Both your comments and those of the non Bahamian are more insulting to Bahamians rather than constructive. Are you agreeing that our leaders have taken us down to the third world and Perry will take us deeper. I do not believe our country is overly corrupt, although there are some corruption in systems of all country, backward, definitely not, nor weak as a people or who have done litttle, achieved little and sold ourselves. You are putting us down more than the foreigner; no wonder they thik of us as corrupt third world. Well I am speaking up for myself and other Bahamians who are not like you describe. Have som pride my friend and dont join others to ridicule you. Maybe you and the Non Bahamian might wish to say something complimentary about Bahamians if you think there is any good in us.

Posted By: A citizen that is very upset of these irrelevant comments On: 3/23/2010

Title: WONDERFUL RYAN

I send all the congradulations in the world that you need since you prevailed in this election court case. I just don't understand you all who is upset when PLP Ryan Pinder win the election court case and not the FNM Duane Sands. Did the PLP complained about losing the election court case in Pinewood and Marco City, "NO" so why now the FNM wants to complain becuase they lose this case. Stop taking this too personal, it's not that serious. Whoever talked about the faulty register that was corrupted from Mr. Christie being in power then, didn't the FNM know that something was wrong with the register, so why they didn't fix. But now they want come up with the faulty registar because Ryan said that he is going to contest it in court? Please, you shouldn't of call a bye-election so early, you should of fix the register and then call one. If that takes long to be fix then accept the results even if it would of gone through the courst like today, or they could of let the Yamacraw represent Mrs. Melanie Griffin take Elizabeth estate responsibilty as a Member Parliament for that constituency as along with hers. The people said that Mrs. Melanie Griffin step over her boundaries and hewlp them out when Mr. Malcolm Adderley didn't do anything. Mrs. Griffin is a nice person even though I did not physically came into contact with her but the way how she is in the House of Assembly and how well she did for constituency and Elizabeth. Thank you and stop crying over simple things.
1)FNM is doing a bunch of foolishness, only Branville McCartney, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Desmond Bannister, and Charles Maynard I would give credit to for their well done job.
2)The FNM knows that the register was faulty, then they should of fix it but they didn't.
3) There's nothing wrong with the justices head, there isn't going to good news to everyone.
4) A win is a win and a lose is a lose.
5) The PLP prevail, the FNM didn't.
6) So get it

Posted By: Curious On: 3/23/2010

Title: FNM Rally

I wonder what PApa will tell FNM's at the Rally.

Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 3/23/2010

Title: Speak for yourself...

@Bahamain
Speak for yourself. This country is so corrupt and backwards. We need outsiders to shine light on our situation, lest we fall over our own shadows. Please, foreigners, do not heed the ignorant among us. A strong people welcomes constructive criticism. A weak people complains bitterly every time. We are a weak people at the moment. Our national D- average tells us everything we need to know about our 'values'. As a Bahamian, I want to know about the outside world and I want to know what the outside world thinks of me. I cater to tourists as the number one industry here: both for tourism and finance. As a Bahamian, I want to know. Please feel free to comment, because we VALUE freedom of speech in this country. We are not a bunch of ignorant 'red necks' or 'niggas' that don't value the thoughts of our guests. We aren't a country full of tea bagging, ignorance loving people. There are many here who understand that this country's BREAD and BUTTER is earned via our level of service and hospitality to outsiders. Bahamians, don't be taken in by these people who talk 'BIG' about their 'NATIONAL PRIDE'. Remember, pride always precedes the fall. Overly proud Bahamians take note, as a nation, we have done little, achieved little and we have sold ourselves - it takes someone to do the selling first. Don't hate the 'other' for our own mistakes.

Posted By: uncle sam On: 3/23/2010

Title: TURKS AND CAICOS YOU HAVE BEEN SPARED

RYAN STAY CLEAN AND REMEMBER INTEGRITY. The making of a corrupt nation. Get a group of liars. Make certain a few look like they get class but really greedy. Let them say the word majority over and repeatedly so the blacks can vote once they see the movie roots each time. Now have one of them know that the other cannot be beat and set out to call in NBC to say the nation for sale with intentions of doing that right afterward. All the while have a beautiful wife you can flaunt, juice other gals even foreigners who bring their children while others have babies for married corrupt cops who keep their nose in the air, after that all you need really is to have someone who can see that when you take office now, now have your wife seek out and begin to destroy who threaten to bring you down, keep the cops them entertained with brown nose affairs and see nothing wrong with what is going on all these years in politics. The making of a corrupt nation. Get a group of liars. Make certain a few look like they get class but really greedy. Let them say the one majority over and repeatedly so the blacks can vote once they see the movie roots each time. Now have one of them know that the other cannot be beat and set out to call in NBC to say the nation for sale with intentions of doing that right after. All the while have a beautiful wife you can flaunt, juice other gals even foreigners who bring their chirren while others have babies for married police chiefs who keep their nose in the air, after that all you need really is to have someone who can see that when you take office now, your wife has already looked in the books to see who would bring you down, the police keep them entertained with brown nose affairs and see nothing wrong with your nose them up in the air. Once you start telling lies on others you would believe it too, until the time comes for no one doing their jobs which all point back to you. Forty plus years and instead of the country being cleaner, people speaking a foreign language now calling your people stupid. Sell out all the land and keep the public purse then apologize saying how hard you had to work. Say all of the new men and women will form a new government only to carry on worst than when you really started. Now raise tantrum and show the tyrant that you are make your rival look really bad so you can stay around. remember to use GOD and #10 so it look like things could change, then boom there goes the earthquake and your medium for future oh yeah run off now to jamaica there is another. come back call election for Elizabeth your bag got you fix this time. sure papas got a brand new bag. bang all the dirt come out and then the errors start so you are hurting. If this ain't something out of the comic books the Washington post didn't get through to any of you. A fish bowl is too small for ever one to move freely. When they come to an island nation all talk not measuring up to what is it suppose to be SPELLS OUT WTF IS THIS. Ooops Pindling would really be laughing if he could see.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Perfect Example

Perfect Example, please stay out of our third world country affairs and stop talking down to Bahamians and its chosen leaders. Remember you are a guest and if you do not like it here take your perfect self and go back to your perfect system and be a perfect example there...

Posted By: KELLY On: 3/23/2010

Title: NEXT ELECTION

The next election will not be easy for the PLP to win because of Perry Christie I am not impress with me. Next election will be close and the FMN might just edge out because voters registering will be low because of the strict rules they will put in place and the boundaries will be configured better.

Posted By: Non Bahamian. On: 3/23/2010

Title: Perfect Example

This is a perfect example of how corrupt your system and country really is, from the very top, down. If you allow your PLP to take power in 2012 you will fall deeper into a thrid world country.

Posted By: 50.3% On: 3/23/2010

Title: Split right down the middle

Elizabeth
You of all people should know that the PLP has got the edge now. And with you 50.4%.

Posted By: Bye Bye On: 3/23/2010

Title: BYE FNM

Of couse you know I mean Bye Election. Did I post Eection or E_ ection: this is only a wishful opion so FNM's cool down.

Posted By: Elizabeth Coley On: 3/23/2010

Title: Split right down the middle

It shows me that our country is split , smack down the middle, PLP and FNM. Ryan Pinder had a message of enpowerment to the people and particulary the young people. He had a fresh view on education, and to me small business is the way to go. Congratulations to Ryan Pinder and the PLP. A fight well fought.
I am a young Bahamian who will be ready to vote in the next general election.

Posted By: Bye Bye On: 3/23/2010

Title: Bye FNM

The next election will be a Bye Eection for the FNM. You think Elizabeth was painful. I Know just the very thought hurts.

Posted By: Idiot On: 3/23/2010

Title: Sensible Bahamian

We know that at least 1499 plus 5 persons do not agree with your comments about the PLP and Ryan not to mention the other 50% of Bahamians who support the PLP. I suppose you believe they are all idiots and people who think like you are the only ones with sense. In 2012 it might be that there are more idiots than people with sense, then you wil really be pissed off.

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Who is to Blame

Along with the poor registration system, many of us contribute to the production of the faulty Register by last minute registration, failing to transfer, lying about where we live etc. and for voting in the wrong constituencies, selling our votes and allowing to be manipulated and controlled. So we rather than fixing ourselves and the system. If we hold ourselves accountable then the politicians, judiciary and the public service will have to behave properly or answer to us. Right now we are being treated as if we have no sense or integrity and unless we demand otherwise look for a bad Register in 2012, more promises, sweet talk and then we will have to blame the Courts again.

Posted By: BLESSED On: 3/23/2010

Title: TAKE A GOOD LOOK

Now that it's over. Mr. Ingraham people now no that they cannot be afraid to speak against you, least not vote against you. The goodddd people of Elizabeth show you what to expect next election, except the part about the election court,there will no need for that. Watch good people are waiting for the bell to ring has they say. You need to feel what we are going thru so much murders, losing houses(banks not assisting)the price of living climbing. but yet so much road works going on. Lets not forget Bran McCartney, BOY THAT ONE WILL HURT THE FMN. Wake up the people has now spoken and will continue till next election. Mr. Perry Christie GOD is showing up just keep praying. He is in control right now and always stay focus.

Posted By: Nigerian On: 3/23/2010

Title: Sad day

Ryan Pinder brings the case and Dr. Sands has to pay and you can vote without registering properly. Awesome! We now live in Nigeria. Lord, why have an election. Let's just go back to landed Monarchy....

Posted By: tired On: 3/23/2010

Title: @Exhausted at the moronic Bahamas!

a) The PLP was voted out for their problems of governance.
b) the FNM was voted in and claimed they could do better. They had 3 years to deal with whatever problems.
c) About 3 years later and we have the same problems.
d) The PM on by-election night "we have no problems with the register"

Posted By: bahamian abroad On: 3/23/2010

Title: ryan winner

How could this be! With the evidence heard in court, no right thinking judge would rule this way! absolutely embarassing! Ryan has associated himself with the wrong party! God help this nation!

Posted By: Exhausted at the moronic Bahamas! On: 3/23/2010

Title: Rule of Law?

Perry Christie was responsible for a faulty register! That isn't an opinion That is a fact! He and the PLP should pay the court's costs and these Justices need their heads examined and their understanding of law checked thoroughly. This is rapidly becoming a sub-Saharan nation and culture, due to its sub-Saharan education levels!

Posted By: Kelly On: 3/23/2010

Title: Strange ruling

This ruling is strange, did'nt one of the voters admitted living in Yamacraw but now live in Elizabeth but did'nt tranferr there. Why is'nt the PLP paying any of the cost they are the ones that took this case to court. Byron Woodside had to pay part of Pine Wood cost.

Posted By: Let's move on On: 3/23/2010

Title: Get a grip! It's ova!

Knowing the condition of the register since the last court cases, and the ruling of the court, the GOVERNMENT should have held off on the Lizzy election until the last minute possible to ensure an accurate register. They didn't, now SUCK IT UP!

Posted By: John Woodson On: 3/23/2010

Title: Further to the issue of costs

After reading the tribunes latest post on the issue of costs i tend to follow the logic of the justices who distributed costs between the palimentary registrar and Dr. Duane Sands. Dr. Sands and/or his agents were responsible for generating some of the protest votes, and the registrar was responsible for a faulty register.

Posted By: Joe Blow On: 3/23/2010

Title: @GC-P

seems these judges are saying you don't have to register in order to vote so they wouldn't necessarily even have a voters card to show! A show of hands, please. How many of you are NOT going to bother registering for the general election now that it seems the courts say it's not necessary?

Posted By: True Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: SERIOUSLY CONCERNED

I am a Bahamian who is now seriously concerned about the state of our Judicial system. Even knowing that someone was very upset that they did not get the Chief Justice app. I still thought that justice would be Impartial. About a week ago I was told by a known PLP that whoever paid the most money would win the ruling, I laughed and said no not in the Bahamas, now I wonder what this person knew that I and the public did not know. Very strange isn't it. It now appears that we will not be able to have an election before or during 2012 because in order to fix the system properly to stop this kind of fraud the parliamentary department cannot get it done under 3 to 4 years if then

Posted By: john woodson On: 3/23/2010

Title: POETIC JUSTICE!!!alas

In my opinion i think tat everyone would agree that Ryan Pinder deserves at least of THREE the FIVE protest votes. Three votes would give him the simple majority and make the winner ofr Elizabeth. But as they say, "to the winner goes the spoils", and so he was granted all FIVE of his protest votes.
the results of the Elizabeth election sends a set of clear messages:
1. Elizabeth is still a PLP stronghold and many constituents chose not to vote rather than support the governing party.
2. The register is flawed and needs to be fixed.
3. Blaming past administrations for problems that still exist some two years after taking office is not good governance.
4.Persons are ticked of generally, (not just in Elizabeth), about the Neville Adderley fiasco and wants the FNM to know they will not tolerate underhandedness.
5. Both major parties have a lot of work to do if they are to capture the next general election..the FNM who is now mopping up the blood of Branville Mccartney, and the PLP who have been riddled with scandals and now has to re-gain the trust and confidence of the electorate.
6. The Hon. Hubert Ingraham (or any other leader for that matter) must now realize and accept that when his will is not the will of the people you must do the people's bidding. You cannot serve Bahamians rock fish for grouper and don't think they will NOT know the difference. NOTICE I didn't say asadine for grouper, I said rock fish!
7. The general election ahead will be most interesting, in any event and candidates who are half stepping will be stepped on for sure.

Posted By: John Woodson On: 3/23/2010

Title: THE ISSUE OF COSTS

Shouldn't the government bear the costs of this election case since no one could be declared the winner of the elizabeth election?

Posted By: GC-P On: 3/23/2010

Title: Disgusted & Annoyed

I am disgusted and annoyed at this entire thing! How could someone who never voted here and never held a Bahamian passport until about two weeks ago have even been nominated to run, is beyond me. Someone who never seemed to want to acknowledge anything Bahamian is a new MP??! Gimme a break! For future elections I hope wannabe candidates are required to show their Bahamian passport and current voters card.

Posted By: skelton revealer On: 3/23/2010

Title: Congradulations MP RYAN PINDER

Ryan Pinder it was worth going to court as you would not have gotten it otherwise. Thanks for not being a redneck like a lot of those who smirk are. Who shame now and it ain't the doctor who really need to get back to heart work. To move from the Great US to a dot of the map takes a lot of adjustment and a keen mindset with you having alto to show these around you what statesmanship really is. It is not PLP winning nor FNM losing as much as it is a direct message for those of you who get their reading of the times without seeing the new stars that are rising from no where. Elizabeth election exposed shitty conduct with election and governance having been out of control for far too long. POLITICIANS SERVING THE PEOPLE IS WHAT YOU ARE THERE FOR NOT FORGETTING THAT THE SERVANT S ARE THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SEATED FROM NOW ON CAN'T SHOW OFF GIVEN THAT SKELETON AND ERRORS ARE THERE TO SEE IN SHORT ORDER.

Posted By: Shed no tear On: 3/23/2010

Title: SOUR GRAPES

SOUR GRAPES!!! "Papa" say he don't win elections in court, let's see if there will be further court action. Ya'll complainers, GET A LIFE! IT OVA! IT OVA!
Now ya'll could chant, " DEY ROB US! DEY ROB US!

Posted By: Catherine On: 3/23/2010

Title: BEWILDERED

I must not have been following this properly because I thought that three of the protested votes involved people who were not on the register? We all know that there was numerous problems with the registration process for the 2007 elections given the fact that the Parliamentary Registrar was not given sufficient time to carry out his work. However, if it was agreed that, despite the problems with this register, we would use it in the by-election, why were these protest votes allowed if their names were not on the register? What about protest votes during the 2007 elections for those people whose names did not appear on the register? And, for the next election, how do you encourage people to go thru that time consuming process of registering if it now appears to be unnecessary?

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Fix The Register

The Government should move to fix the Register. I suspect the Elizabeth Register and the other constituencies are 33% inaccurate or more in certain constituencies. This is more important than trying to win a seat that should not have been sought in the first place. The lession learnt is that the Register and the election process need urgent correction and that the FNM because it is the Government cannot bribe, fool and manipulate people to get its way politically. A further scrutiny would only expose us to the rest of a very bad Register, more corrupt election practices and irregularities. We should have fixed the Register after the Pinewood and Marco City election court revelations rather than manipulate the Register to try and win Elizabeth. Our national focus should be on fixing the system before we lose faith in the election process in THe Bahamas. The world is watching..

Posted By: Larry On: 3/23/2010

Title: ITS OVER, THANK GOD

Congratulations to Mr. Pinder. Hope he does well.
But for me, I distrust government on the whole. Mr. Pinder neither Sands PLP or FNM can create jobs make somebody employable, make your children perform well in school, or have people act more responsibly with their lives on the whole
We as a country are starting from the wrong premise, Government is not the answer to society 's problems, no matter what color or shapes it comes. Especially not more government. Until we lose the idea that government will solve society's problems, we will continue to decline. Just my opinion.

Posted By: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On: 3/23/2010

Title: Retire Senile Justices

I am absolutely sickened by this ruling. How in the hell you could now instruct the Parliamentary Commissioner to take people off the Yamacraw Register( and it has been proven that these people live in Yamacraw constituency) and now add these people to the Elizabeth register. This makes absolutely no sense. does this mean now that in aGeneral election people could vote where they feel like voting. What does this mean? we all know that Elizabeth Estates is split between 2 constituencies, Yamacraw and Elizabeth. Then all of the people in Elizabeth Estates should now plead for their right to have voted in the Bye-Election.
It seriously sounds like Justice Allen has lost her head, and what about John Isaacs? Man something seriously wrong here. I'll accept Pinder as the winner but the reasons must be logical.

Posted By: Confused as well On: 3/23/2010

Title: Confused as well

I would like to know as well since it was the PLP who actually took it to court not the FNM

Posted By: Confused On: 3/23/2010

Title: CONFUSED

"1:16pm – The court has just ruled that 3/4 of the costs will be paid by the Parliamentary Commissioner and the remaining 1/4 by the 3rd respondent, the FNM's Dr Duane Sands."
OK - so someone please explain to me why the PLP has no obligation to pay any of the court costs.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 3/23/2010

Title: People will sell their souls for $1

An election is about choosing the best person to represent the people in the area in parliament but too many people are only interested in what someone will pay them or give them to vote for someone. I have bee told that there was a lot of money flowing in Elizabeth at the time of the by election. The PLP has a history of buying the votes of people and also threatening people. What a shame that people will resort to tactics like these!!! I don't understand why this even had to go to the election court when there were so many lawyers in each polling station. Why could it not have been sorted out then?

Posted By: LisaG On: 3/23/2010

Title:

I am very dissapointed with the results but to you "Good people of Elizabeth" as per Mr. Pinder, everyone deserves a TRY i gues and you donot have to put up with him for too long, if he does nothing for you within the next 2 years then out with him.

Posted By: Reds On: 3/23/2010

Title: Justice!!!!!!!!!!!! What is it??????

I am a concern citizen of the Bahamas. When a ruling such as Mrs. Allen could allow 5 protested votes to stand when for certain during the hearings you have a husband and wife with conflicting times as to when they moved into a neighbourhood!!!!!!!!!! Give me a break, where is the justice. Not even in the courts. How about we get rid of everything starting with the courts.
Justice is a thing of the past. "Bahamains" Please becareful we have a serious situation on our hands.

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Get it Right

I would really like to hear the Judges ruling . Nevertheless, we should fix our electoral process, change our attitude towards elections and not let politicians manipulate us. We are in charge and should take over ths right seriously.

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: FNM

There is no appeal from this ruling which is final. However a petition can be made on other aspects of the election. Will the FNM go to Election Court on the other election irregularities to declare Sands the winner. Papa said no but he does not always mean what he says. What a dilemna. This is as bad as the blotch referendum and with the potential split in the party the FNM might self destruct again.

Posted By: Irritated Young Voter. On: 3/23/2010

Title: The Bahamian PUBLIC is to blame!

Don't blame the Justice's for ruling against or in favour of your political party, don't blame the Registrar or Comissioner. We as Bahamians need to stop the POINTING FINGERS and start looking at the real issues. BLAME OURSELVES! We have allowed ourselves to be brought by monetary donations and favours for votes. Being victims to the vicious games of politics. We continuously vote party wise or who could give us the most money/alcohol etc. instead of thinking towards the future and voting for the best candidate for the job. BAHAMIANS, WE NEED TO DO BETTER! We OWN the government, make them WORK for us and lets stop working for them.

Posted By: Citizen of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas On: 3/23/2010

Title:

It really doesn't make a difference, except the fact that the opposition has has maintained their seat.
The Governement has not changed.
For far too long we have been voting for our forefathers, our grandparents & parents.
Time to develop a mind of your own and vote for the "PERSON" and NOT the party!!!!
Get it together BAHAMIAN people, we all have to live here, if not for us, but for OUR children and OUR children's children.
Have a blessed day ALL (regardless of political standing)!!!

Posted By: Lady Bowe On: 3/23/2010

Title: WOW

It will be very interesting to hear how the husband and wife votes got to be counted if they both had diffrent times when they moves in the area? One woman clearly stated that she did not inform the rigistrar that she had moved and was not supposed to vote now her vote is being counted? Boy these justices must not like what has happened and just threw in the towel and what ever buckup goes or they really sick and tired..........

Posted By: ABCDEF On: 3/23/2010

Title: Winner

The Parlimentary Commissioner should be allowed to retire as the system is at fault and no one man should be blamed. There were 6 protest votes. Update on the other protest vote please.

Posted By: Lizzi Voter On: 3/23/2010

Title: Well deserved win

Congrats Ryan...We got who we wanted...Welcome to our Constituency...time to get to work now!

Posted By: Lizbeth Resident On: 3/23/2010

Title:

Hooray!

Posted By: Joe Blow On: 3/23/2010

Title: why bother

seems registering to vote properly, understanding your obligations as a voter and following the rules ain't necessary to have your vote counted. Guess we should all adopt the 'stupid approach' since the judges will allow it at the end of the day. This is a MOCKERY of our electoral system and I'm very disappointed in these judges. i sure hope the FNM can appeal if only to get a real ruling from people with sense.

Posted By: BJOE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Time for Allen to Retire!!

This ruling lacks logic. On the surface this ruling should be appealed if permissable. The more desired outcome was to accept the two votes on behalf of Ryan which clearly should have been permitted. The rightfully registered Residents of Lizzie should make the determination in a runoff election. I am disappointed in the judges ruling!

Posted By: Wondering On: 3/23/2010

Title: Sorry

Sorry, I meant resign

Posted By: Wondering On: 3/23/2010

Title: Parliamentary Registrar

Should the Parliamentary Registrar retire? This is the third election court case in about 3 years, so who is responsible?

Posted By: Fire-starter On: 3/23/2010

Title: It is finally over

I am also disappointed it the results; however it time to move on and continue this good work we are so doing. Now they can try Ryan.

Posted By: Time 2 grow up Bahamas On: 3/23/2010

Title: DISAPPOINTED!

I am extremely disappointed in this result! I was praying for a tie! "Papa" miscalculated!

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Winner

The judges must have really been pissed off

Posted By: TJay Stubbs On: 3/23/2010

Title: @Gail

this is a case that involes private lawyers, the reason for the backlog of cases in out legal system is lack of communication period. If the AG office would send proper documents to the prison and all revelant parties involed we would have cases being heard by the judges with all the facts/information in place.
And both Goverments have failed with getting a proper structure in place and make the AG office and others more accountable.

Posted By: ACE On: 3/23/2010

Title: Voter A

If C and E are certified and D and F are not, then A will decide the winner or a tie. It will be interesting what the judges will rule on A and their comments on this Voter and the Parliamentary Registratin Department. Both sides did not present their case in full to assist the Judges' determination. I expect the Judges will have a mouthful to say on this entire episode.

Posted By: Joe Blow On: 3/23/2010

Title: @gail

Interesting observation Gail. Why is this particular case worthy of moving mountains (and other cases) aside in order to achieve a speedy conclusion. I'd imagine the families of murder victims or businessmen whose interests are tied up or even people wrongly accused and put on remand would feel their particular cases are even more important than a by-election that amounts to little more than a pissing contest between the FNM and the PLP

Posted By: Gail H On: 3/23/2010

Title: Proof.

I have no validation for this statement, but as a young Bahamian I am wondering... Is the speedy conclusion of this Election Court trial proof that our legal system could get cases out faster than they are doing? Or that the current backlog of trials is deliberate?

Posted By: Elizabeth Constituent On: 3/23/2010

Title: TIE

If there is a tie then what do we really want to waste the peoples money and time to go through another election.... As a constituent I hope not... I dont want another FNM, PLP, BDM, ABC, or XYZ knocking on my door til 2012.
also will persons be charged with election fraud those who ballots were thrown out.... only God knows how these people were even allowed to vote or enter the room for that matter but the law has to be upheld