The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net A NUMBER of persons set to vote in North Andros have changed their registration since the start of the voter fraud probe, according to FNM candidate for the area Desmond Bannister. The tribunal has set the course for a fairer process of elections in the country, said Mr Bannister, sitting MP for Carmichael and Minister of Education. "I can tell you that any number of people have called and told me that they will get legitimate," Mr Bannister said. "I know a number of people have changed their registration. He added: "The law of the country provides for how and where people are to vote. You cannot be living in New Providence or Freeport and make decisions for the people of Andros. It's a very simple thing, the people who live here are the people who ought to make determinations on their leadership." Hearings in North Andros are underway following claims by Mr Bannister that PLP operatives have been flying voters in from other islands to register in the constituency. The governing party produced a lists of 30 voters to be investigated and have announced plans to file a second list. The first hearing will continue on Friday, when lead counsel will present their final submissions. At last week's hearing, island administrator Huntley Christie said the fraud claims were regrettable due to the polarizing effect it has had on the small community. However, he noted that the process will serve to ensure that voters take registration seriously. Calls placed to Administrator Christie, concerning the number of persons that have removed themselves from the register since the hearings began, were unreturned yesterday. Mr Bannister said: "It may divide some people, because some people stand up for what is right and because someone else might want to have their own way. "But I have to applaud the people who stood up for what is right, and when anyone stands up for principle they will have opposition by those who want to have their own way, but you stand up for principle." Mr Bannister explained that voter fraud has been a longstanding issue for residents as far back as the 1987 elections. PLP Leader Perry Christie labelled the claims as voter intimidation at the opening of the party's Fox Hill constituency office Monday. Mr Christie suggested that improper registration could be voter confusion stemming from the "new rules". He added that his party was working to ensure that voters were registered correctly.