by Adrian Gibson
There is lingering political fatigue that has contributed - in large part - to voter apathy.
Voter registration is occurring at a trickle because there are many Bahamians who view both the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) as supremely aloof.
If one listens to any talk show, Bahamians are seemingly exasperated and are not attracted to either major party.
I am a millennial. Many of the faces in the PLP and FNM do not reflect the views of my generation. As it stands, the FNM is failing to engage young voters and neither is the PLP. That should cause an immediate heartburn for both parties.
In 2012, more than 172,000 people registered to vote. Recently, the Parliamentary Registration Department reported that nearly 57,000 people had registered to vote, a much lower figure compared to the 134,000 registered voters during this same period before the 2012 general election.
The FNM attained 42.1 per cent of the popular vote in 2012 whilst the PLP pulled 48.7 per cent. The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) made up the difference with a handful of independents and also-rans. When the votes were tallied, the PLP secured 75,815 votes compared to the 65,633 ballots that were cast in favour of the FNM. The DNA won 13,225 votes. Although the PLP received the highest number of votes for one party, it lost the popular vote to the combined opposition’s 78,858 votes.
Interestingly, millennials (persons aged 18 to 35) are barely being represented at the decision-making table this election cycle. Thus far - and this very well could change - both of the political parties have not redefined the national debate. Bahamians are sick of politics as usual. How much longer do the FNM and the PLP want us to backseat drive? We must have more meaningful impact.
As it stands, more than 16,739 millennials have registered to vote. This week I attended the Parliamentary Registration Department on Farrington Road and registered to vote. It was a monotonous, drawn-out process. I spent at least an hour. It was frustrating. What’s more, the officials at that department are using outdated procedures, large-screen obsolete computers and writing information by hand. In 2016, people must still register in this archaic manner. Whilst I waited, I observed several persons entering and leaving the site once they saw the handful of people gathered and the slothful registration process. And so, not only are people fed up with the political atmosphere, but they are discouraged by the waste of time and delays with actually registering.
That said, the political parties should not forget that Bahamians aged 18 to 35 make up the largest group of registered voters. We, the millennials, are the new generation of voters whose voices will be heard. Establishment bureaucrats in both major political parties have clearly not demonstrated an appreciation for that. The electorate has shifted and, based on some of the recent candidates coming forward, it is clear that the FNM and the PLP are committing political malpractice.
Here’s an idea. Whenever I go out with my son or visit family members, he is immediately drawn to towards any grouping where he sees little children like him. He does that aged six and millennials no doubt do the same. How many of us can be seen in either major political party? And what about women? Thus far, the bulk of registrants for the 2017 general election are women. Women comprise some 35,173 voters of the nearly 57,000 registrants.
Bahamians are tired of lying politicians. Bahamians are tired of politicians whose promises are empty. We are tired of sifting through useless rhetoric and not being presented with position papers and progressive policies. Voter fatigue has taken hold. The level of optimism is at an all-time low.
Are the Parliamentary Registration Department personnel aware of the documents that prospective voters must produce? Or does one set of officials request passports and another set request past voters cards? I witnessed the confusion and the government should ensure that the populace and officials are of one accord.
When will the Boundaries Commission issue its report? Will the boundary lines be re-drawn? If so, on what grounds would they do so when one takes the low voter registration numbers into account?
Why must Bahamians produce their passports when we are not travelling? Isn’t the passport a travel document? Why can’t we simply use our driver’s licence?
Perhaps we should totally modernise our national identifications and develop and issue biometric drivers licences.
What about electronic voting? How much longer before we embrace technology and move into the 21st century?
Why have the registration drives not descended upon highly populated commercial zones such as Downtown, Carmichael Road and Western New Providence in an effort to register persons at their respective offices? Why not arrange this with the various businesses, law firms, public entities, etc?
During general elections, high voter registration and turnout usually favours opposing parties. The governing parties usually retain power when voter turnout is low.
I encourage Bahamians to vote. Honestly, I haven’t yet decided who I will vote for. However, I encourage all and sundry to register to vote and to vote your conscience. Do not lose the opportunity to cast your ballot. I wish I could cast a ballot for judges, for a mayor, for municipal representatives and for the Commissioner of Police. However, we are not yet at that point and so, as it stands, let’s not ignore our singular opportunity to vote, to have a voice, to change the way things are done.
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First published in the The Tribune under the byline, Young Man's View, here…
View Adrian Gibson's archive here…
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The views expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of WeblogBahamas.com (which has no corporate view) or its Authors.
