The leaders of the country's three main political parties voted in a historic advanced poll yesterday.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who was among the first of thousands of 'special' voters to cast their ballots, said the day was a proud one for him.
"It was very pleasing to have 4,000 plus people who were going to travel or were going to be ill who could now vote, and all of the Bahamians who work in the overseas missions as well as students," Ingraham said.
"We've got more than 400 people voting overseas today."
Amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act made it possible for special voters, who include people scheduled for medical care next week, government workers stationed abroad and students enrolled overseas, to take part in the advanced poll.
Special voters also included candidates in the elections, their spouses, election day workers and employees of the department of the parliamentary commissioner.
Ingraham, who lives in the Fort Charlotte constituency, said he of course voted for Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Zhivargo Laing.
A pregnant woman, who expects to deliver soon, said she was pleased that she didn't lose her constitutional right.
"As you can see it's soon delivery time," said Latoya Sturrup, pointing to her protruding stomach.
Ernelia Dean, of Fox Hill, said she will be traveling on Saturday to her sister's college graduation and will not return until Wednesday.
"It's a big convenience," she said. "My sister is graduating from the University of Tampa. I would not have missed that."
Adelle Thomas, of Fort Charlotte, said she is also traveling next week and would not have been able to vote otherwise.
Now that he has gotten voting out of the way, Ingraham said he will spend Election Day visiting a sick friend.

He said that on election night he expects to get a call from the governor general announcing that he has been returned to power.
Ingraham said he is confident that the FNM will be victorious on May 7.
"The FNM has done extensive polls," he said. "We have polled 3,000 people and we are satisfied that we are ahead. We are very confident that we will be returned to government come next week."
Returning Officer, Harrison Thompson, said people began lining up to vote as early as 5:30 a.m. The polling stations in New Providence closed at 6 p.m.
He revealed that one person voted on a protest ballot.
The name of the man, whose identity was not revealed, was not on the advanced poll register.
However, Thompson said the voter insisted that he be allowed to vote anyway as he was traveling on Monday.
A person can vote on a protest ballot if that person's name is not on the register as long as he or she has a voter's card.
Thompson said the man would have been able to vote ordinarily on Monday.
It is unclear whether his vote would be counted in the final tally.
Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said outside of the regular political arguments associated with elections, there were no serious matters to report.
"It's a day where people get a bit excited; you would hear some loud talking," Greenslade said. "We make interventions when we think it's necessary."
The police separated supporters of the PLP and the FNM outside Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium yesterday after the two groups began to get bit rowdy.

"That was just a proactive measure on our part to ensure that folks in their excitement don't cross the line," Greenslade said. "So we thought it best that we keep them in their respective tents.

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