The leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, is calling on Prime Minister Philip to announce a date for the general election rather than hold a by-election to replace the Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Vaughn Miller, who died last weekend.
Miller, who served as parliamentary representative for the Golden Isles constituency, was found unresponsive last Sunday and pronounced dead at hospital.
General elections are scheduled to be held in The Bahamas by September 2026 to elect all 38 members of the House of Assembly and under the Parliamentary Elections Act, a writ for a by-election must be issued within 21 to 30 days of a vacancy.
Pintard said that with Bahamians facing financial hardship, it would be wasteful for the government to spend millions on a single by-election when national issues remain unresolved.
‘We’re discussing general election,’ he said, adding ‘given the financial challenges that the Bahamian people are facing, it would be interesting to see whether or not this government is prepared, to again, as they did in West Grand Bahama, spent over, we believe, US$10 million on one seat.’
Pintard said Bahamians have real life bread and butter issues that the government needs to dedicate resources to and that a ‘general election will give one party or another a new mandate, and so he ought to go to a general election’.
But asked by reporters on whether the FNM would not contest a by-election, Pintard responded by saying ‘I did not say that. I said exactly what I meant. We ought to go to a general election’.
Prime Minister Davis told The Tribune newspaper that it is too early to be making political decisions.
‘We are mourning at this time and I haven’t given consideration to that,’ he said, regarding a by-election.
‘The law requires me to call it within 60 days. I’m giving consideration to that.’
Meanwhile, former primer minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, has sidestepped questions as to whether or not he will join the opposition Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and contest the and Killarney constituency, which he represents in the Parliament.
‘I’m wearing pink,’ Minnis said, adding ‘this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I advise the entire Bahamas to wear pink this month. In Killarney, we’re organizing, at the end of this month, a pink walk for the Killarney residents. To show our respect for the women.
‘Men have breast also and men also get breast cancer. Not as common, but we do. I will be representing the people. Whatever the people want. I will represent Killarney and I will run in Killarney,’ said the medical practitioner.
Minnis, who served as prime minister between May 2017 to 16 September .
‘I’m running in Killarney. However it’s done, you will know, because you will see Minnis name on the ballot. And I’ve told my people as I go through, when you go to that poll, look for Minnis,’ the 70 year-old former FNM leader said.
The DNA was formed in 2011 by former former FNM government minister Branville McCartney. It contested three general elections – 2012, 2017 and 2021-but lost ground with each election and failed to win a seat in Parliament.
Its leader, Arinthia Komalafe, resigned in December 2021 and has since joined the FNM and was recently ratified as that party’s candidate for Carmichael.