2021 Bahamian general election

2021 Bahamian general election

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All 39 seats in the House of Assembly 20 seats needed for a majority
Registered	194,524
First party Second party   Leader Philip Davis Hubert Minnis Party PLP FNM Last election 36.94%, 4 seats 56.99%, 35 seats Seats won 32 7 Seat change 28 28 Popular vote 66,407 46,030 Percentage 52.59% 36.45%
Prime Minister before election Hubert Minnis FNM Elected Prime Minister Philip Davis PLP

General elections were held in the Bahamas on 16 September 2021 to elect all 38 members of the House of Assembly. ^[1]

Around two hours after the polls closed, and results started to trickle in, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis conceded defeat, after results showed his party Free National Movement losing several seats they previously held. Since 1997, every election has resulted in a change of government. ^[2] On 17 September Philip Davis of the Progressive Liberal Party was sworn in as prime minister. ^[3]

Background

The Bahamas has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, it was reported that the PLP was expecting an early election. ^[4]

At dissolution, the FNM was down four seats on their 2017 result; House Speaker Halson Moultrie, Reece Chipman, and Frederick McAlpine left the party to sit and run for re-election as independents, whilst Vaughn Miller defected to the PLP. ^[5]

In the run up to the 2021 election, there were plans to implement biometric I.D. Cards which could be used for voting, ^[6] however, such a proposal did not manifest by the time of the election. ^[7]

Electoral system

Members of the House of Assembly are elected from single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. ^[8] The majority party then selects the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Governor-General. ^[9]

Candidates

On 3 February, the Progressive Liberal Party revealed their first 18 candidates. ^[10] On 21 June 2021, they selected the rest of their candidates for the election. ^[11] The Free National Movement completed ratifying candidates by July 2021. ^[12]

The Democratic National Alliance posted a slate of 19 candidates in March 2021. ^[13] New parties include Coalition of Independents, formed by members of Bahamian Evolution, and the Grand Commonwealth Party. ^{[14] [15]} House Speaker Moultrie formed an electoral alliance of independent and third party candidates. ^[16]

Results

The elections were observed by several teams including the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States. ^{[17] [18]}

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Progressive Liberal Party	66,407	52.59	32	+28
	Free National Movement	46,030	36.45	7	–28
	Coalition of Independents	8,388	6.64	0	New
	Democratic National Alliance	1,497	1.19	0	0
	United Coalition Movement	590	0.47	0	New
	Kingdom Government Movement	530	0.42	0	New
	Grand Commonwealth Party	260	0.21	0	New
	Bahamas Constitution Party	120	0.10	0	0
	Righteous Government Movement	61	0.05	0	New
	Faith that Moves Mountains Party	18	0.01	0	New
	Bahamian Way Forward Movement	11	0.01	0	New
	Independents	2,359	1.87	0	0
Total		126,271	100.00	39	0
Registered voters/turnout		194,524	–
Source: CLEA

Seat that changed hands

Free National to Progressive Liberal

• Bain Town and Grants Town: won by Wayde Watson
• Bamboo Town: won by Patricia Deveaux
• Carmichael: won by Keith Bell
• Central and South Abaco: won by John Pinder II
• Central and South Eleuthera: won by Clay Sweeting
• Centreville: won by Jomo Campbell
• Elizabeth: won by JoBeth Coleby-Davis
• Fort Charlotte: won by Alfred Sears
• Fox Hill: won by Fred Mitchell
• Freetown: won by Wayne Munroe
• Garden Hills: won by Mario Bowleg
• Golden Gates: won by Pia Glover-Rolle
• Golden Isles: won by Vaughn Miller
• Marathon: won by Lisa Rahming
• MICAL: won by Basil McIntosh
• Mount Moriah: won by Mckell Bonaby
• Nassau Village: won by Jamahl Strachan
• North Abaco: won by Kirk Cornish
• North Andros and Berry Islands: won by Leonardo Lightbourne
• North Eleuthera: won by Sylvannus Petty
• Pineridge: won by Ginger Moxey
• Pinewood: won by Myles Laroda
• Sea Breeze: won by Leslia Miller-Brice
• South Beach: won by Bacchus Rolle
• Southern Shores: won by Leroy Major
• Tall Pines: won by Michael Darville
• Yamacraw: won by Zane Lightbourne

Reactions

• Free National Movement : In a concession speech released by the FNM, outgoing prime minister Hubert Minnis thanked Bahamians for the last four years. "Tonight I spoke with Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party Philip Davis and offered my congratulations to him and his party on their victory at the polls. I offered him my best wishes as his Government now faces the continued fight against COVID-19, and the restoration of our economy. I would like to thank the tens of thousands of Bahamians from across The Bahamas who voted for Free National Movement candidates. I also congratulate the FNM candidates who won seats in the House of Assembly. I am in that number, and again my gratitude goes out to the people of Killarney for making me their representative for the fourth consecutive time. I will lead the Free National Movement into the House as the leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. The Bahamas has a proud democratic tradition. The people decide who serves as government." ^[19]

• Progressive Liberal Party : Philip Davis expected to become the next prime minister addressed supporters in Cat Island. He told constituents "Thank you for seeing the possibilities of what we can build together for our children and grandchildren, in the morning, we will rise as one nation and meet the challenges ahead." ^[19]

Aftermath

See also: 14th Bahamian Parliament

On 17 September Davis was sworn in as prime minister. ^[3]

References

1. Graham, Kendy (19 August 2021). "Bahamas PM announces September 16 General Election date". Nation News.
2. "The Bahamas Election Results". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
3. "Philip 'Brave' Davis sworn in as Prime Minister". Tribune 242. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
4. "PLP: We're preparing for an early election". Eyewitness News. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
5. Smith, Sloan (31 August 2021). "THE COME-UP: Incumbents see increases in net worth". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
6. "The Bahamas may not issue biometric voter cards before general election next year". Biometric Update. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
7. Hersey, Frank (2022-07-08). "Bahamas prepares for national digital ID, considers universal credential". Biometric Update. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
8. "Bahamas (House of Assembly), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
9. "Eight Things You Should Know About The Bahamas Election Today". News American Now. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
10. "PLP announces first group of candidates for the Early General Elections…". Bahamas Press. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
11. "Bahamas Opposition Selects Slate for Next General Election". Caribbean News. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
12. Jones Jr, Royston (15 July 2021). "FNM ready to "take flight": Final four candidates ratified". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
13. "DNA ratifies 19 candidates for upcoming election". Eyewitness News. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
14. "Coalition of Independents holds virtual convention and elections for leadership positions". Eyewitness News. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
15. Smith, Sloan (28 August 2021). "INDEPENDENTS NOMINATE: Independent parties put forth candidates, none with full slate of 39". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
16. "New Coalition Formed Ahead Of General Election". The Tribune. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
17. "Commonwealth observers watch as ballots cast in Bahamas election". The Commonwealth. 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
18. "BRAVE NEW DAY: PM Minnis concedes election to Philip Davis and the PLP". Eyewitness News. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
19. "GENERAL ELECTION – as it happened". Tribune 242. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-17.