The following is a communication by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in the House of Assembly on October 26, 2011.
Honourable Members are aware that the Constituency Commission has been appointed. I am satisfied that a sufficient number of eligible voters had registered in advance of the closing of the old Register to permit members of the Commission to review constituency boundaries.
I wish to emphasize for the information of the general public but most particularly for those citizens who would have reached the age of majority, that is 18 years of age, since the last election in 2007 and persons who are eligible but who did not register for the last election or since the new Register came into effect, that there is still the opportunity to register to vote in the next General Elections.
Our system of registration of voters is unique; perhaps the most democratic and fair in our region. A new register of voters must be prepared every five years.
Our system has proven to be particularly good for The Bahamas which has a highly mobile population.
The increase in population in Exuma and Abaco in recent years are perhaps the most dramatic examples of the movement of citizens between islands, while the increased concentration of housing developments in suburbs of New Providence, are examples of population shifts on this island.
It is our desire to achieve the fairest distribution of seats as is practical given our geography and population distribution. This will only be achieved if we have the most accurate information of where registered voters reside. And so, Bahamians who are eligible to register to vote are urged to do so. Last minute registrations ought to be avoided.
So as to facilitate such registration the Parliamentary Registration Department has published a list of Voter Registration Centres conveniently located around New Providence and in the Family Islands:
New Providence: Daily Monday to Friday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM
1. the Parliamentary Registration Department
2. Town Centre and Marathon Malls
3. The General Post Office (East Hill St)
4. Carmichael Post Office
5. Elizabeth Estates Post Office
6. Super Value (Top of the Hill, Mackey St.)
7. National Insurance Board (Baillou Hill Road)
8. Lynden Pindling International Airport
Evening Registration between 5:00PM and 7:00PM takes place at the Parliamentary Registration Department and at the Marathon Mall.
In Grand Bahama:
Parliamentary Registration Department, NIB Building
Daily, Monday to Friday 9:30Am to 4:00PM and from 5:00PM to 7:00 PM
Post Office, Explorer’s Way Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Eight Mile Rock East Township Building (Opposite the Eight Mile Rock Administrator’s Office)
Daily from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Evening Registration:
Thursday 27th October 2011 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Family Islands:
The Administrator’s Office during normal working hours.
Individuals seeking to register to vote are reminded that they should take with them proof of citizenship such as:
• a valid Bahamian passport
• a birth certificate together with a valid ID or documentation or
• a current voter’s card along with reasonable documentation
Source: Bahamas Information Services
