The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham warned Androsians that as the May 7 general election approaches, some of the government's rivals could start offering money in exchange for votes.

Without naming a specific party or candidate, Mr Ingraham said he understands persons have been told they will be paid once they can prove who they voted for.

The proof: a photo of a marked ballot, taken inside the voting booth with a cell phone.

Speaking in Andros on Tuesday - one day after Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel urged voters not to bring cell phones into the polling stations - Mr Ingraham said: "I have had very troubling reports about some unethical attempts to influence the vote in this election.

"I do not want to believe what I am hearing - that money is being thrown around; that money is being paid up-front with a requirement that individuals photograph how they vote on cell phones to enable them to get the balance of the promised money after they have voted. That's despicable and insulting; so I do not want to believe it."

Speaking of the stand taken by Androsians in the late 1950s which enabled Bahamians to have democratic freedom, Mr Ingraham said he was stunned to hear of the "perpetual fraud on that island".

"An island where brave, democracy loving citizens stood up to the power and wealth and influence of Bay Street, turning down offers of bribes in 1956 and again in 1962; instead they voted their conscience and sent Clarence Bain to the House of Assembly on both occasions.

"That anyone would seek to taint the memory of those brave soldiers, would seek to exploit difficult economic times to tarnish the legacy of democracy in Andros is unbelievable, unthinkable," he said.

If approached, Mr Ingraham urged voters to treat such offers with "contempt".

"Andros, vote your conscience; vote for what you believe is right and in so doing, honour your forefathers and achieve better for yourselves and for your children," he said.