Bahamas opposition wins landslide election victory

Published on May 12, 2017


Dr Hubert Minnis addresses an enthusiastic crowd during the FNM’s victory rally on Wednesday night. Photo: Torrell Glinton

By Royston Jones Jr.
Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter 

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamian voters on Wednesday delivered a wholesale and brutal rejection of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in an election that saw a wipeout of the former Cabinet, including political giants like outgoing prime minister Perry Christie, and the rise to power of Dr Hubert Minnis and his Free National Movement (FNM).

It was resoundingly clear by 9 pm on Wednesday that the PLP had been voted out of office, and that voters had sent a strong message to the former administration that it did not approve of its performance.

After representing the Centreville constituency for 40 years, Christie became the first prime minister of The Bahamas to lose his seat.

At the end of the night, it appeared the PLP only held on to four seats in the 38-member lower house.

At 8:47 pm, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts came on national television and acknowledged the loss. An hour later, Christie conceded defeat.

The FNM won every seat in Grand Bahama and most of New Providence and the Family Islands.

Bahamas

Country in the Caribbean

The Bahamas is a coral-based archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Its 700-plus islands and cays range from uninhabited to packed with resorts. The northernmost, Grand Bahama, and Paradise Island, home to many large-scale hotels, are among the best known. Scuba diving and snorkeling sites include the massive Andros Barrier Reef, Thunderball Grotto (used in James Bond films) and the black-coral gardens off Bimini.

Capital: Nassau

Currency: Bahamian dollar

Population: 388,019 (2015) World Bank

Continent: North America

Outgoing foreign minister Fred Mitchell was among those former ministers who lost their seats.

Noting that the FNM had a long fought battle, Minnis, the incoming prime minister, addressed a crowd of thousands at the carnival grounds, pledging to listen to the people and follow their orders.

“Never, ever allow the politicians to be in charge again. This is your victory and you will always remain in charge,” he said.

Minnis’ message was a play on the general theme of the FNM’s campaign -- that the PLP had lost touch with the Bahamian people and had failed to be accountable and transparent.

Minnis and the FNM repeatedly claimed the PLP is corrupt and the Christie administration had neglected the Bahamian people, sold out to the Chinese government, and that the PLP government was primarily about making deals to enrich themselves and their families.

The FNM’s election to power comes amid widespread national concern over the state of the economy, the administration of public finances, the high rate of violent crime and the troubled education system.

Minnis was due to be sworn in as prime minister at 5 pm on Thursday.