The two main political parties in The Bahamas have officially launched their campaigns for the May 12 general election, with Prime Minister Philip Davis promising to expand on his administration’s achievements, while opposition leader Michael Pintard urged voters to “hit the reset button.”
Davis, leading the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), told supporters that the election presents a critical choice about the country’s leadership.
“In 31 days’ time, on May 13, what kind of leader do you want to wake up to?” Davis asked supporters, adding that the PLP is united behind “a strong vision, with detailed plans and proven teamwork.”
He also warned voters against electing a prime minister who is “controlled by someone else,” while accusing the opposition Free National Movement (FNM) of hoping the country continues its pattern of changing administrations every five years.
Political observers note that no party has secured a second consecutive term since the Hubert Ingraham-led FNM won re-election in 1997.
Davis argued that frequent changes in government hinder national development and said the FNM lacks a credible plan for the country.
“If this election is about the economy, they lose. If it is about education, they lose. If it is about energy, they lose. If it is about workers, they lose. If it is about opportunity, they lose,” he told supporters.
Opposition Calls for “Reset”
Meanwhile, Pintard urged supporters to back the FNM, arguing that the country needs a change in leadership.
“The government continues to spin the story that they would be better for Grand Bahama,” Pintard said during the party’s campaign launch at its headquarters, adding that Bahamians have historically turned to the FNM during challenging times.
“When this island needed investment, we worked with all stakeholders to ensure that we created a climate where persons can have confidence that they can invest in The Bahamas without someone coming to ask for 10 per cent. We are different than that other group,” he said.
Pintard described the upcoming election as a “historic moment” and said the FNM has the “right party, the right team, and the right heart” to lead the country.
Immigration Becomes Key Campaign Issue
Immigration emerged as a central issue in the campaign, with Davis accusing the opposition of attempting to divide voters.
“They’re trying to rewrite history and ignore our record on immigration,” Davis said, adding that his government has taken decisive action since assuming office in 2021.
According to Davis, the administration has carried out more than 15,000 repatriations, intercepted nearly 12,000 migrants at sea, hired 300 new immigration officers, commissioned new patrol vessels, and expanded coastal radar coverage to Ragged Island and Inagua.
He also pledged that a re-elected PLP government would introduce a national biometric immigration system, crack down on employers exploiting undocumented labour, and fully digitize immigration processes under the party’s “Blueprint for Progress.”
“The Bahamas belongs to Bahamians. Our waters, our borders, our jobs, our future. We will protect all of it,” Davis said.
Leadership and Experience
Davis also pointed to internal divisions within the FNM, noting that former prime minister Hubert Minnis plans to contest the election as an independent candidate in the Killarney constituency, which he won with 51 percent of the vote in the last election.
“When you want to get things done, you need good leadership. When you want to get big things done, you need experienced leadership, tested leadership,” Davis said.
FNM Criticizes Early Election Call
At the FNM launch, Pintard criticized the government for calling elections five months before the end of its term, arguing that the administration could have implemented promised reforms before dissolving Parliament.
“I find it interesting that here is a government given a five-year contract decides to walk off the job with five months left on the contract,” Pintard said.
He argued that if the government was serious about immigration reforms and tougher penalties, it could have passed the necessary legislation before calling elections.
Pintard said the FNM’s manifesto outlines a long-term vision aligned with the country’s National Development Plan.
“With our manifesto you can hold us to what we have promised. We believe political parties should be competing on how to fulfill the National Development Plan,” he said.
With both parties now officially launching their campaigns, the race to May 12 is expected to intensify as voters prepare to decide whether to grant the PLP another term or hand the reins back to the FNM.
