| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
House of Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
|
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
10 May 2017 |
| Purpose of elections |
The Free National Movement (FNM), led by Mr. Hubert Minnis, ousted Prime Minister Perry Christie's Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) winning 35 seats to 4 in the 39-member House of Assembly (see note 1). The outgoing Prime Minister himself lost the seat he had held since 1977. On 11 May, Mr. Minnis was sworn in as new Prime Minister by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.
During the election campaigning, the FNM campaigned on a platform for change, promising to promote "Bahamian ownership in the economy". The PLP's campaign was reportedly overshadowed by corruption scandals and the delayed opening of a $4.2bn mega-resort called Baha Mar, owned by a foreign company (see note 2). The agreement signed between the PLP Government and the buyer of the Baha Mar in April stipulates further financial contribution of the Government, write off of debt as well as the issuing of work permits for foreign workers.
Note 1:
The number of seats in the House of Assembly has increased from 38 to 39 following the decision of the Boundaries Commission in December 2016.
Note 2:
Baha Mar resort was initially scheduled to open in December 2014 but the opening was postponed three times due mainly to bankruptcy filings, delayed construction and a change in ownership. It was finally opened in April 2017.
|
Date of previous elections: 7 May 2012
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 11 April 2017
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: April 2022
Number of seats at stake: 39 (full renewal)
Number of candidates: About 140
Percentage of women candidates: Not available.
Number of parties contesting the election: 6
Number of parties winning seats: 2
Alternation of power: Yes
Number of parties in government: 1
Names of parties in government: Free National Movement (FNM)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 24 May 2017
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Halson Moultrie (Free National Movement, FNM) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 10 May 2017 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
181'543
160'409 (88.36%)
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
| Free National Movement (FNM) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
|
|
|
|
| Free National Movement (FNM) |
35
|
|
|
|
|
| Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) |
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
34
5
12.82%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
https://www.elections.gov.bs/archives/category/election-results
Parliamentary Registration Department, Results of the 2017 General Elections, Polling Division Data (https://www.elections.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-General-Elections-Results.pdf)
https://www.elections.gov.bs/archives/26770
https://www.bahamas.gov.bs
http://www.aljazeera.com/
http://bahamaspress.com/
https://www.bahamaslocal.com/
http://www.bahamasnational.com
http://m.tribune242.com |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
