What is it?

The Bahamian general election of 10 May 2017 was a pivotal political event in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Voters elected 39 members to the House of Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, using the first-past-the-post system. The party winning the most seats then selects the Prime Minister, who is formally appointed by the Governor-General, the representative of the British monarch.

The election pitted the incumbent Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), led by Prime Minister Perry Christie, against the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), led by Hubert Minnis. Smaller parties, including the Democratic National Alliance and the Bahamas Constitution Party, also fielded candidates but failed to win seats.

The campaign was dominated by allegations of corruption against the PLP government, internal feuding within the FNM, and controversial remarks by Prime Minister Christie. The result was a decisive victory for the FNM, which won 35 of the 39 seats, ending the PLP's five-year rule.

The election marked a return to power for the FNM after its defeat in 2012, and it set the stage for a new government focused on economic reform and anti-corruption measures. The peaceful transfer of power underscored the stability of Bahamian democracy.

Key Facts

The election was held on 10 May 2017.
39 seats were contested in the House of Assembly, up from 38 in 2012.
The FNM won 35 seats; the PLP won 4 seats.
Voter turnout was approximately 90%.
Hubert Minnis became Prime Minister on 11 May 2017.
Perry Christie conceded defeat on election night.
The campaign featured a controversial comment by Christie: 'God can't stop me now.'
Internal FNM strife led to Loretta Butler-Turner running as an independent.
Corruption allegations against the PLP were a major campaign issue.
The election was the first since the 2012 boundary review increased the number of constituencies.

Full Explanation

Electoral System

The Bahamas uses a first-past-the-post electoral system for its House of Assembly. The country is divided into single-member constituencies, and the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins a seat. The party that secures a majority of seats forms the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The Governor-General appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.

For the 2017 election, the number of constituencies was increased from 38 to 39 following a boundary review. This change aimed to better reflect population shifts. The election was overseen by the Parliamentary Registration Department, which ensured the integrity of the voter roll and the voting process.

Major Parties and Leaders

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) had governed since 2012 under Perry Christie, a veteran politician who had previously served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2007. The PLP campaigned on its record of economic growth and social programs, but faced criticism over corruption scandals, including the Anna Nicole Smith residency controversy.

The Free National Movement (FNM) was led by Hubert Minnis, a medical doctor who had served as Minister of Health under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The FNM focused on anti-corruption messaging and promises of economic reform. However, the party was plagued by internal divisions: in late 2016, FNM parliamentarians removed Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, replacing him with Loretta Butler-Turner. Minnis remained party leader, and the FNM later revoked Butler-Turner's candidacy, prompting her to run as an independent.

Campaign Issues

The campaign was marked by negative attacks. Christie's comment at a rally—'Listen, it's goin' so good now, God can't stop me now'—was widely criticized as arrogant and sparked a backlash. The FNM and other opposition parties accused the PLP of widespread corruption, while the PLP countered with allegations of corruption during the previous FNM government. Many observers lamented the descent into 'gutter politics.'

Despite the FNM's internal strife, the party managed to present a united front during the campaign. Minnis's leadership was solidified after the party's executive committee backed him. The election result showed that voters prioritized anti-corruption over party infighting.

History

The Bahamas has a two-party system dominated by the PLP and the FNM. The PLP first came to power in 1967 under Lynden Pindling, leading the country to independence from Britain in 1973. The FNM was formed in 1971 as a merger of several opposition groups and first won power in 1992 under Hubert Ingraham.

The 2012 general election saw the PLP return to power after five years of FNM rule, winning 29 of 38 seats. The FNM's defeat was partly attributed to the Anna Nicole Smith scandal, which damaged the PLP's reputation. During the 2012–2017 term, the PLP's majority was reduced by defections: Greg Moss left to form the United Democratic Party, while Andre Rollins and Renward Wells crossed to the FNM.

The 2017 election was thus a rematch between Christie and Minnis, with the FNM seeking to regain power. The campaign's intensity reflected the deep partisan divide in the country.

Why it matters

The 2017 election demonstrated the resilience of Bahamian democracy, with a peaceful transfer of power despite a highly contentious campaign. The FNM's landslide victory gave it a strong mandate to implement its agenda, which included anti-corruption measures, fiscal responsibility, and economic diversification.

The election also highlighted the importance of internal party unity. The FNM's ability to overcome its internal divisions and win decisively showed that voters can look past party squabbles when the opposition presents a credible alternative. Conversely, the PLP's defeat underscored the electoral consequences of perceived arrogance and corruption.

For the Bahamas, the election set the stage for significant policy changes, including reforms to the immigration system and efforts to boost tourism and financial services. The outcome also influenced regional politics, as the Bahamas is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and often aligns with other Caribbean nations on international issues.

Bahamian General Election