BAHAMAS-ELECTIONS-Commonwealth to send observer team to Bahamas

LONDON, May 2, CMC – The former Ghana foreign minister, Hanna Tetteh, will lead a Commonwealth election observers team to May 10 general elections in the Bahamas.
“I’m delighted that former foreign minister, Hanna Tetteh, has accepted my invitation to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group. Her experience will be a real asset in this important assignment,” said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland noting that the Commonwealth had been asked to send an observer team by the Bahamas government.
This is the first time the Commonwealth will observe elections in the Bahamas and the Commonwealth Secretary-General said the members of the team “in offering their assessment on the conduct of the election and the overall credibility of the process, the Group will be contributing to enhancing democracy in the Bahamas”.
The London-based Commonwealth Secretariat said that the observers will consider all aspects of the electoral process and assess whether the election has been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which the the Bahamas has committed itself.
The observer team will be in the country from May 4-13.
Meanwhile, as the campaign continues for the general election, concern is being raised in Nassau regarding the health of National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, who is contesting the Bain and Grants Town constituency on behalf of the ruling Progressivel Liberal Party (PLP).
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said Nottage, 71, was examined by a doctor at his home for “dehydration” shortly after slurring and stumbling over his words during his speech on the rally stage.
He said however that his condition has improved significantly.
The PLP is facing a challenge from the main Free National Movement (FNM) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) for control of the 41 seat Parliament.