We must all be sensible during campaigns. It is easy to rally up a group of supporters into a state of frenzy but it is difficult to control them when they get out of control.
Prime Minister and Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Hubert Ingraham last week announced that he would conduct a series of walkabouts in the inner city communities of New Providence. These are strongholds of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Such tours bring lots of attention and lots of FNMs to the areas.
We do not have a history of political violence in The Bahamas. However, it is still not a good idea to bring together large numbers of opposing partisans.
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) brought some of its supporters yesterday to the area where Ingraham and the FNMs were having the tour. Consequently, a portion of Ingraham's tour was diverted after police got reports that nearly 200 "disorderly" PLPs were gathered at Sarah Robinson Park on Meadow Street.
The group shouted in protest of Ingraham's presence in the area. The FNM is hoping to take the seat from the PLP. The FNM's candidate is attorney John Bostwick II. The incumbent PLP MP is Dr. Bernard Nottage.
The PLP should not bring supporters to FNM events and potentially cause a confrontation. And the FNM should not bring its supporters to PLP events. Such acts could easily lead to fights or large disturbances.
The Bahamas has 38 constituencies. Within these constituencies there are many communities. When one party announces an event, the others should have the good judgment to have their events elsewhere in order to keep the peace.
FNM East Grand Bahama candidate Peter Turnquest made a formal complaint to police after his daughter was allegedly sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher when FNM and PLP supporters came together in separate motorcades in Grand Bahama on March 17.
PLP Deputy Leader Philip Brave Davis also told The Nassau Guardian at the time that he heard that people on his party's motorcade were assaulted by the throwing of rocks and water.
With these small incidents having already occurred, we hope the PLP, and all the other parties, respect the space of others having events and avoid awkwardness and potential confrontations.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has enough work to do. When these tense situations arise, offices have to be diverted from crime-fighting duties to watch and ensure a major disturbance does not occur. We need our officers to stay on the beat and not get caught up in nonsense.

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