By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MARIO Cartwright, the DNA's Long Island candidate yesterday criticised government officials for failing to notify family islanders of their eligibility to participate in Advanced Polling.

The exercise is to take place tomorrow from 8 am to 6 pm.

One month ago, the government announced that family island residents would not be allowed to participate. This decision was reversed just a few days ago.

However, Mr Cartwright, through a press release, called the move an attempt to disfranchise voters from non-governing parties.

He said: "When I first found out that Family Islanders were not included in the new rules governing advance polling I considered it the second hand treatment we have always been subjected to under the FNM and PLP governments.

"But when I found out just three working days before Advanced Polling that the decision had been reversed and I would not have time to submit names or make arrangements for my poll workers to participate I immediately knew that this was a desperate and deceptive act of a Prime Minister that realises he has no other way to win this election without stealing it."

He further criticised the government saying it had not issued a public announcement or explanation of the last minute change.

"Instead, they planned to sneak in thousands of Family Island voters for Advanced Polling and leave other parties little to no time to plan accordingly."

Mr Cartwright not only called the change a reflection of the FNM's desperation as they realise they cannot win more than 10 seats on May 7, but said that the DNA "is prepared to defend every Bahamian's right to vote (by) not allowing the FNM to continue its 'by any means necessary' approach to stealing this election".

The DNA is calling on Prime Minister Ingraham to explain the government's "last minute change of plans" for the Advanced Polling exercise.