By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

PARLIAMENTARY Commissioner Harrison Thompson said officials were baffled by the low voter turnout in Monday’s Golden Isles by-election, with official results showing that more than 4,000 registered voters did not cast a ballot.

Only 3,884 people voted, despite 7,926 registered voters in the constituency.

Mr Thompson read the official results to reporters. Progressive Liberal Party candidate Darron Pickstock received 1,873 votes, while Free National Movement candidate Brian Brown received 1,637. Coalition of Independents candidate Brian Rolle received 352 votes, and independent candidate Karen Butler received 16. There were six spoiled ballots, according to Mr Thompson.

The low turnout has been a concern for political parties and observers. FNM leader Michael Pintard said on the night of the by-election that his party must work harder to inspire residents to vote. PLP insiders have also raised concerns about what the turnout could mean for the upcoming general election.

Asked about the low voter turnout, Mr Thompson said he understands that some residents may not have felt motivated to vote in a by-election with a general election expected soon.

Historically, governing parties in The Bahamas have performed well in by-elections. Since independence, the PLP has won most of them, with analysts noting that incumbent governments often hold an advantage in mid-term contests.

Days before the vote, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham warned that the PLP would call an early general election if it won the by-election.

“They might do better next time and they got plenty time,” Mr Ingraham said. “If they win the election on Monday coming, they’re gonna hold an early election. By March, you'll be in the polls. If they don’t win, they’re gonna stench.”

Mr Thompson said that since the by-election, satellite stations across the country have seen increased activity. He expects more people to visit the Parliamentary Registration Department, though he does not anticipate a major rise in registrations, with the national register already above 196,000.

“This is the highest the register has ever been,” he said.

Officials are also continuing efforts to get residents to verify their information for the newly introduced biometric cards.

Golden Isles and Killarney remain the most populated constituencies. While in opposition, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis supported adjusting constituency boundaries in those areas to balance voter numbers, not to create new seats.

Mr Thompson said his team is preparing in advance for whatever changes the commission recommends and will be ready to adjust the voter register accordingly.