Hanna Martin 'outraged' at women being denied at voter registration

Monday, January 9, 2017

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said she is “outraged” that women registering to vote are still being turned away by staff of the Parliamentary Registration Department because of “the way they are dressed”.

In a statement on Facebook, Mrs Hanna Martin said it is “beyond unacceptable” and cannot be tolerated that woman are being prevented from exercising a fundamental right.

“The parliamentary commissioner must immediately direct his staff to respect the fundamental rights of women as they seek to exercise the franchise: A right that women heroically and courageously fought for and will not be easing up on any time soon,” Mrs Hanna Martin posted to Facebook on Friday.

Her comments came hours after The Tribune spoke with a lawyer who claimed that she was “physically removed” from the Cable Beach Post Office by police, after she refused to accept that she could not register because she “had on a sleeveless dress.”

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was given approval to take the picture by the registrar, however after the photographer at the site found her clothing “inappropriate” the registrar then decided that she could not have her picture taken.

The lawyer stood her ground and refused to leave but after a few minutes of back and forth, the police were called and she was removed from the premises.

Last month, amid reports that women were turned away from voting sites because of “improper” attire, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said women registering to vote with “half their breasts out” is not permitted.

Mr Hall was contacted after a pregnant woman who did not want to be identified, told The Tribune she was told by registration officials at the Elizabeth Estates Post Office that she would not be allowed to register to vote on separate occasions because of what she was wearing at the time.

On her second attempt she went into the post office wearing an ankle length maxi dress, but was still not permitted to begin the process.

Returning for a third try, the expectant mother wore a jacket and was still told that she was too bare, so she had to put on a scarf in order to be registered.

The Parliamentary Elections Act makes no mention of dress code.

Since then, Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner demanded that Mr Hall explain the provision in law governing the enforcement of a dress code being used to hamper and obstruct the democratic right of a citizen to freely register to vote.

FNM Chairman Sidney Collie has likened the reports to voter suppression by the Christie administration.

Last week, Democratic National Alliance Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer also threatened to take action that would “compel” Mr Hall to ensure everyone is allowed their right to register.

He said although the party hasn’t defined what this action will be, it could involve a demonstration at the Parliamentary Registration Department on Farrington Road or a decision to take legal action against Mr Hall and his department for infringing upon the rights of Bahamians to register to vote.

Last week, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said a person’s attire would not hinder them from voter registration.

“Some of the things that I’ve heard on the radio are surprising to me,” Dr Nottage, whose Cabinet portfolio includes elections, told The Nassau Guardian last week.

“There are no such regulations with respect to the way you dress.

“Of course like anybody else, one would wish to dress appropriately but we do not know the circumstances from which people come,” he said.

“Some people are doing well and some are not doing so well, and so no hindrance should be put in the way of people registering to vote by the parliamentary registrar or anyone else.”

Comments

ohdrap4 says...

> “Some of the things that I’ve heard on
> the radio are surprising to me,” Dr
> Nottage

Ok let's count the ways:

Brave Davis is surprised with the city dump matters

Halkitis is surprised with moody's

Edson Sumner is surprised

fitzgerald and the PM are also surprised with one thing or the other.

Why
am i not surprised?

Gomer Pyle all around. lol.

Posted 9 January 2017, 11:23 a.m. Suggest removal

> “Some people are doing well

that would be the plp

that is the rest of us

Posted 9 January 2017, 11:25 a.m. Suggest removal

John says...

If you look at some of the people who are working for the parliamentary registration department they are dressed the same way Bahamians dressed when the PLP won the elections in 1967. Polyester and garbardine. Plaids and stripes mixed with polka dots. If you don't believe me go look at some old Nassau pics, then go visit one of the registration centers.

Posted 9 January 2017, 11:41 a.m. Suggest removal

observer2 says...

https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/am…

Bahamian's shouldn't be surprised that little by little our basic human rights are being at best frustrated and at worse denied.

Take a look at the link above from Amnesty International of alleged human right abuses. Its makes any challenge to get registered to vote, getting a passport, getting a drivers license, voting No to webshops, voting No to women's rights or getting any type of document legitimizing your existence look like child's play.

Posted 9 January 2017, 12:05 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

MS. Hanna save your outrage. and tell those women to dress up and hide their breast.It is
not a big deal When I go to the USA they tell me to take off my shoes, and I do.besides who want to see their breast.

Posted 9 January 2017, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

Emac says...

Posted 9 January 2017, 1:10 p.m. Suggest removal

you wanna see birdie's breasts dude?

Posted 9 January 2017, 2:05 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Come on ohdrap4, birdie ain't get no breasts.....Emac may as well be lookin' at Fweddy Boy's pecker!

Posted 9 January 2017, 2:28 p.m. Suggest removal

goodbyebahamas says...

Birdie, I want to see as many breast as I can see in my life time before I die. Bahamian government, please send me all these unwanted breast my way, none will be turned way; promise.

Posted 9 January 2017, 10:28 p.m. Suggest removal

Birdie if you have breast I want to see yours too. Go Birdie! Go Birdie! Take it off! Take it off! Go Birdie! Go Birdie!

Posted 9 January 2017, 10:37 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Why are we even talking about this matter with MP Hanna-Martin. . .after the problem has been done more than a week ago! From MP Nottage gave an official address to the matter. . .LBT done called it all kind of nasty, despicable, and some other over dramatized "lil chirrins dem cussin". . .anybody "member" what MP Doc said? Now this story in the papers. . .talking after the "hoss" been gone outta dat gate for eons ago!

Posted 9 January 2017, 2:13 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

I,m outraged that 40 0dd million dollars went missing from road traffic under this MP,s watch ..40 million dollars , if we were not third world the Minister would have to resign .I no longer say honorable member of the house ,they are third world criminals ,,nothing more nothing less

If this money is missing an investigation should take place right away.,

Posted 9 January 2017, 3:31 p.m. Suggest removal

Now birdie you know dat investigation and the PLP don't happened. . .they talk about them. . .mostly when the FNM done some skullduggery . . . never when the PLP do "things". . .so like Senator Moncus says: " stop it. . .you stop it. . .hear what I say. . .stop it" Lol!

Posted 9 January 2017, 5:14 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Don't forget the million stolen from the post office. Anyone know if Rudy King recovered from the 60 mins airing yet?

Posted 10 January 2017, 4:37 a.m. Suggest removal

The money is missing the auditor determined for the amount of plates put out road traffic should of collect 70 odd million and only collect 28 million ..Birdie a 1/4 billion dollars walked out the front door of BOB to cronies and their front companies w/ no assets to recover ..These people are criminals nothing more nothing less .Under the west minister system any MP,s who has a responsibitly over a revenue collect branch that comes up short , 40 million short , should resign lol

Posted 10 January 2017, 8:28 a.m. Suggest removal

C2B says...

This money was stolen by many many people under her watch. That is many Bahamians who are dishonest and steal given the opportunity.
She is a useless waste of flesh but this should not excuse the hundreds of small time criminals who work for her dept.

Posted 10 January 2017, 11:35 a.m. Suggest removal

Socrates says...

Hanna-Martin does not have to be "outraged". Nottage, the Minister responsible, need not be "surprised". Stop talking and do something for heaven's sake. They have the POWER to transfer, fire, demote or do whatever else they wish with this man. If not them, then who?

Posted 10 January 2017, 2:32 a.m. Suggest removal

I am outraged that Hanna Martin has said nothing about those unauthorized flights to Bimini by resorts world. Exactly what checks does the ministry of transport do?

"*The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is threatening to sanction Resorts World Bimini and an affiliate company over nine “for-hire” flights that brought casino players and other guests to its property in summer 2015.*

*The flights, which were all between Miami and Bimini, did not possess the necessary FAA permits and approvals to carry “for-hire” passengers, the US regulator said in a statement.*

*Resorts World Bimini and Resorts World Aviation had also not been authorised to operate an air carrier, the FAA alleged, while **the pilots involved lacked the necessary training and certifications**.*"

Posted 10 January 2017, 4:32 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Glenys aka BabyAD is just blowing hot air ............. she is the female spokesperson for PLP MPs ....... and it took her 5 weeks to become outraged and address the issue ........... JOKES!!!!!!!!

Posted 10 January 2017, 12:32 p.m. Suggest removal