North Abaco Voter Turnout 20 Percent Higher Than Elizabeth

Tue, Oct 23rd 2012, 08:39 AM

Voter turnout in last Monday's North Abaco by-election was significantly higher than the 2010 Elizabeth by-election. Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis has claimed that "low" voter turn-out in North Abaco was the result of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) intimidating voters. Minnis said many people were afraid to show up to the polls to vote. There was an 86.5 percent voter turnout in North Abaco compared to a 65 percent turnout in Elizabeth, according to Parliamentary Registration Department records.

Of the 4,517 registered voters in the North Abaco by-election, 3,891 voted. The PLP's Renardo Curry received 2,367 votes, the Free National Movement's (FNM) Greg Gomez received 1,513 votes and Bahamas Constitution Party (BCP) candidate Ali McIntosh seven votes, according to the official results. In the 2012 general election, 4,130 of the 4,438 registered voters cast ballots, a turnout of 93 percent. While 79 more people registered to vote in the by-election, 243 fewer people actually voted.

Of the 4,943 registered voters in Elizabeth, 3,214 voted. The PLP's Ryan Pinder got 1,504 votes, the FNM's Dr. Duane Sands received 1,501, Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) candidate Cassius Stuart (who has since joined the FNM) received 116 votes, National Development Party (NDP) candidate Andre Rollins (who has since joined the PLP) got 72 votes and Rodney Moncur polled 21 votes. The results of that election were ultimately determined by the Election Court. In 2007, there were 4,249 registered voters in Elizabeth; 3,941 voted, representing a turnout of 93 percent. Voter turnout in Elizabeth in 2012 was 92 percent, with 4,372 of the 4,750 registered voters casting ballots.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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