NASSAU, The Bahamas — Officials at the Parliamentary Registration Department will “make every effort” to expedite the registration process while maintaining its accuracy and sanctity once registration begins next week.
“I cannot overstate the importance of an accurate Register,” Parliamentary Commissioner Mr. Bethel said.
“An accurate Register facilitates fairness in the electoral process; it enhances better redistribution of seats, thereby enhancing the principle of one person one vote, and it makes for a better election.
“In short, a good Register leads to a good election,” Mr. Bethel added.
Voter Registration Centres will open at convenient locations throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas beginning Monday, October 4, 2010, as preparation of the new Voter Register begins.
The simultaneous opening of multiple centres in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands will facilitate an early National Voter Registration Drive.
Parliamentary Commissioner Bethel said the use of multiple locations for early registration will help to “speed up” the process. Additionally, registration personnel have been “well-trained and well-prepared,” which officials say should not only increase their level of accuracy, but also efficiency.
“Sometimes people become impatient if they have to wait or if they believe they are being turned around,” Mr. Bethel said.
“We take our job seriously and we deem it a privilege to serve the Bahamian people (and) so in addition to being accurate and efficient, we will also be fair and efficient.”
Mr. Bethel said qualified applicants for registration can perform a number of tasks ahead of time to assist officials.
“Applicants for registration can assist us by providing the correct information regarding their house/apartment number, the name of the street on which they live, the side of the street on which they live and the names of the streets to the left and to the right of their houses (if any).
“This will ensure that all persons in the same household are put in the same constituency and Polling Division. This point is extremely important and it applies in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands,” Mr. Bethel added.
Qualified applicants will be required to sign an oath confirming the accuracy of the information given to officials at the end of the registration process. Copies of all documents provided by applicants will be kept by the department.
No new registration cards will be issued at the time of registration. However, all new registrants will receive a receipt confirming registration.
Registration Centres will open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm beginning Monday, October 4. Times on evening registration will be announced later.
Applicants for registration must be citizens of The Bahamas of full age and not subject to any legal incapacity and must be ordinarily resident in the constituency for a period not less than three months immediately preceding the day of registration.
Commissioner Bethel said while Section 19 of the Parliamentary Elections Act provides for the consideration of other documents – among them baptismal certificates or such reasonable evidence whether documentary or otherwise as the Revising Officer shall consider to prove that the applicant is qualified to be registered and is not already registered – persons applying for registration must present a valid Bahamian passport or a birth certificate as proof of citizenship.
He said a valid Bahamian passport will serve as the “principal document” that will be accepted for registration.
“If a person does not have a valid passport, he/she should present a birth certificate,” Mr. Bethel said.
“Please bear in mind the fact that all documents that people may present do not prove citizenship,” Mr. Bethel continued, “documents such as the old Voter’s card, an affidavit, a Baptismal Certificate, or a Certificate of Identity does not prove citizenship. Even the Birth Certificate in some instances does not prove citizenship.
“The onus is on the Revising Officer to satisfy him/herself that an applicant is a citizen of The Bahamas and is indeed qualified to be registered as a voter,” Mr. Bethel added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
