On Wednesday night, Bahamian Prime Minister Phillip Davis announced the election date, ending weeks of speculation. He announced that locals will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Parliament will be dissolved on April 8, while the election writ will be issued the following day.
The contest will pit the governing Progressive Labor Party (PLP) of PM Davis against the Free National Movement (FNM) of opposition leader and former cabinet minister Michael Pintard.
The PLP is headed to the polls with 32 of the 39 seats it won in the 2021 general elections. However, it has faced opposition charges that it has not achieved much in office and has been slow to help parts of the archipelago recover from superstorm Dorian back in 2019 under the FNM administration.
As both parties rally electors to register to vote, the FNM has been beset by a few high-profile cross-overs to the PLP and by the refusal of former prime minister Michael Pintard to step aside for a party-endorsed candidate in his constituency. He has even vowed to run as an independent candidate. PM Davis says he is confident of victory but is reminding voters that turnout is important.
“Today, I wish to advise the Bahamian people of the key dates in the next phase of our democratic process, our general election. I also wish to remind the public that if you currently hold a valid purple voter’s card, your registration remains valid and there is no need to register again. The law provides that if you are on the current register of voters, you are entitled to vote,” he said as local media report protracted waits for registration at many centers.
As usual in elections in The Bahamas, most of the 39 candidates are millionaires, according to declarations to the integrity commission, including Minnis, who says he is worth more than $13 million.
The Caribbean Community nation has been enjoying tremendous growth, with the lifeline tourism sector rebounding after taking a major hit during the COVID pandemic about five years ago. The country hosted 12.5 million visitors, representing a near 12% increase in both long-stay and cruise ship tourists.
PM Davis had said that campaigning for the elections would be muted during the Lenten season. Now, he has cleared the way for the race to kick off in earnest.
“As we move through this election season, I ask every Bahamian to remember one simple truth: wherever we may fall politically, we all love this country. Long after the campaign is over, we will still be one people, sharing one home, with one future to build together. I encourage every eligible Bahamian to take part in this process with seriousness, respect, and faith in our democracy.”
