If North Abaco member of Parliament Hubert Ingraham retires this week from politics as he promised, a by-election will be held in the area only a few months after the general election.
While turnout in our general elections is usually high, fewer people usually come out for by-elections. Some think that these races don't determine the government, so why bother.
It would be a shame if a large number of the people of North Abaco take this position. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has not held this seat since Ingraham was expelled from that party in the 1980s. It wants the seat back and thinks Renardo Curry, the party's candidate in the last general election, is perfectly positioned to win it. If the PLP is successful in the by-election, it would have a majority in the House of Assembly of 30 seats to the eight held by the opposition Free National Movement (FNM).
The new FNM leadership team needs an early success under its belt. Already there is some internal rumbling in the party about new leader Dr. Hubert Minnis. While the doctor is a hard worker and disciplined, some longstanding members of the FNM wonder if he has the charisma to lead the FNM to electoral success. They do not see him as an Ingraham or Sir Lynden Pindling type.
Abaconians should come forward in large numbers to vote so that the person chosen to succeed Ingraham is chosen by collective will, rather than him or her merely being the candidate selected by a small number of partisans.
When Abaco has problems, or when Abaco needs its voice heard in New Providence, every Abaconian should want the best person possible to present the case for the island and its people as the elected representative for the area.
The PLP and FNM will field candidates. But that should not prevent others from entering the race who also want to serve the community. Independents and small party candidates should also take a shot at being the next representative of the area if they feel they have the passion and ability to serve. We should all be proud of our democracy and participate and we should also be enthused about having the opportunity to select our representatives.
The eyes of the country will be on the North Abaco race. Most people think the governing party will have the advantage because it has the machinery of government behind it and FNMs are demoralized after the last election loss, hence they will stay home. Abaco should defy conventional wisdom and come out and vote.
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