The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS registering to vote outside the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) this week expressed deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, a sentiment that often signals shifting political momentum.

Outside the PRD’s Harold Road office, voters raised concerns ranging from stagnant wages and poor Family Island infrastructure to weak government transparency and disillusionment with the two-party system.

Andrew, who works in the creative industry, criticised government spending priorities and called for a more decentralised approach to development, particularly in healthcare.

“We keep doing the same things, foreign investment, same buildings. Where is the innovation?” he asked. “We could turn clinics into hospitals instead of spending, what? $290m on one thing? Come on, man.”

He suggested upgrading community clinics to 24-hour hospitals.

“Imagine they take the Elizabeth Estates Clinic and say, I’m going to turn it into a six-storey building now, a hospital that runs 24 hours, probably give me less, probably give me faster, probably can be a little bit more helpful because of where it’s at,” he said.

Antoinette, a Family Island resident visiting New Providence, pointed to immigration, healthcare, and education as her priorities, and urged the government to make Bahamians “feel more comfortable to be at home.”

She called for the government support for Family Island farmers during tough seasons. “You got to work with the farmers, because we need them. We want to eventually be able to feed ourselves,” she said.

She also noted that vague or delayed communication from public officials is eroding trust, particularly in a digital environment where misinformation spreads fast.

“The less information people hear, they fill in the gaps. I think that’s what’s happening right now. People are starting to fill in the gaps, and they’re getting very nervous,” she said.

“This government is in a position no other government has been in. Now, everybody’s on social media. Not just adults: high schoolers, primary schoolers. Everyone has a phone, and everybody’s pushing information around. It is not just social media anymore, it is AI. People making up stuff and putting it out there.”

“When questions are asked, they have to be specific and not dodge the question, because people will think you are hiding something,” she added.

“People just say, ‘You know what? Forget them. Let’s try another one.’”

Her concerns extended beyond the current administration. “This is not just a PLP issue,” she said. “It’s been building.”

Other voters echoed that disillusionment. “It is always PLP or FNM, and nothing drastic is changing,” said Tamia. “Maybe we should give a different party a chance, like the Coalition or DNA.”

Another woman said she registers every election cycle but has stopped voting. “None of the parties has even come close,” she said. “You tell me what you think I want to hear, then when you get in, it is something else. I feel like all the parties just in it for a dictatorship.”

JI, who had come to collect his voter card, called for better investment in Family Island infrastructure. “Every Family Island should have an ambulance, fire station and mini hospital,” he said. “Go home and fix your island. If you love your people, your family, your parents, go home and appreciate them by fixing those islands.”

Sue, another registrant, highlighted the cost of living and stagnant wages.

“We need a change in the government. Everything is just too slack nowadays,” she said. “First of all, I want to talk about the minimum wage. That needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. People are living paycheck to paycheck.”

According to Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson, the current registration drive targets first-time voters and those who last voted before 2017 but have not re-registered under the continuous register system. Voters who have changed constituencies must also update their information.

He said around 15,000 names have been removed from the register due to death or duplication since the last general election. While early turnout has been slow, he expects activity to increase in the coming months.

The PRD continues its registration and transfer services ahead of the expected 2025 election. Officials are encouraging all eligible Bahamians to ensure their voter records are current.