NASSAU, Bahamas, November 23, 2023 — The Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) Kingsley Smith won the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election yesterday, easily defeating a crowded field of four other candidates, The Nassau Guardian reported in today’s edition.
Smith secured 2,150 votes, taking 57 percent of the total votes cast. The Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate, Bishop Ricardo Grant, got 1,276 votes.
Coalition of Independents candidate Lincoln Bain received 307 votes; independent candidate Daquan Swain received 28 votes and the second independent candidate, Terneille Burrows, got four votes.
Based on The Nassau Guardian’s calculations, voter turnout was 62 percent. There are 6,079 registered voters in the constituency.
Polls closed at 6 p.m. and the results began trickling in by 6:27 p.m. Half an hour later, it was clear that Smith had won.
Eight weeks ago, the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat was vacated when the PLP’s Obie Wilchcombe died suddenly.
The PLP pledged to win the election for Wilchcombe and adopted his personal mantra, “one love” as its theme.
Once it was clear that Smith won the seat, jubilant PLP supporters took to the streets in Eight Mile Rock and throughout the constituency, partying and shouting “PLP”.
At PLP headquarters in New Providence, Prime Minister Philip Davis and PLP supporters danced to Bob Marley’s “One Love”.
Big screens were set up showing the events playing out in the constituency.
At a celebratory event in Seagrapes, Grand Bahama, Smith thanked voters.
“I appreciate each and every one of you,” he said on the rally stage, surrounded by members of the Cabinet.
“Without you, I would not be here. To the voters who turned out today, thank you very much. I appreciate you.”
The piercing shouts of “PLP” echoed throughout the community.
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said work must begin in West Grand Bahama and Bimini immediately.
“This is a validation of the work we have been doing for you,” Cooper said on the rally stage. “It’s a confirmation that our country is going in the right direction and an acknowledgement that the people of West Grand Bahama and Bimini know good talent when you see it.”
He added, “The work starts tomorrow. We are going to continue to work. We are going to finish the job.”
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/victory-for-plp/article_8162b502-89e5-11ee-8c65-07e703c521aa.html
