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1. Country Over Party
These reforms apply equally regardless of what party is in charge. They protect the nation, not any political organization.
2. Transparency, Not Accusations
We are not alleging wrongdoing — we are ensuring the system is beyond doubt.
3. Trust Must Be Earned, Not Declared
The government cannot simply say “trust the process.” People must see the process.
Why This Matters
In conversation after conversation, Bahamians are saying the same thing: “We don’t trust the process the way we should.”
This isn’t whispering. This is a call for action. Our democracy can only be strong when every voter believes their voice is protected, their ballot is sacred, and their elections are beyond question. Restoring transparency in our electoral system is not optional, it is the foundational step we must take to restore faith in our government and to put the Bahamas first.
This is our moment to strengthen what our parents and grandparents fought for, to rebuild trust where it has eroded, and to show the next generation that true democracy in The Bahamas is possible.
Bahamians must have a system they can see. A system they can trust. A system that belongs to the people — not to parties.
Live-Stream Vote Counting
What happens in the room should be seen by the people who own the room.
The Policy
Every counting room in every constituency must be live-streamed from start (ballot box) to finish (vote counting) with footage archived and available for public review.
Under the current Parliamentary Elections Act, the law protects the secrecy of how any individual votes and strictly punishes anyone who tries to find out or publish someone’s vote during polling hours. We agree with that and do not propose anything that takes away the sanctity of any voter’s choice.
However, the law does not say that the public cannot see boxes being shown empty, sealed, transported, and later counted in full view. Our proposal is carefully designed to obey the law: no cameras in booths, no footage that reveals how any individual voted, and no broadcasting of results while polls are still open. We want to stream the integrity of the process, not the identity of the voter.
Why It Matters
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Eliminates suspicion or speculation.
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Builds trust in results — win or lose.
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Shields election workers from false accusations.
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Protects candidates and parties from misinformation.
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Restores confidence in a system many believe has become opaque.
Supporting Measures
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Cameras installed and tested before election day.
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Continuous, unedited feed.
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Independent oversight panel to monitor the system.
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Public digital archive for 90+ days.
The BFM Principle: If vote counting is honest, there is no reason for it to be hidden from the people.
National Civic Duty Day
Voting should not be an afterthought or inconvenience, it should be a national moment where our people’s voice is counted.
The Policy
Declare General Election Day a formal National Civic Duty Day with:
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A public holiday for all workers
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Optional early-vote or extended-hours options
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Free shuttle transportation from major hubs
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School-based civic fairs the week before
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National service messages across all media
Why It Matters
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Voter turnout has fallen dramatically, especially among young people.
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Many Bahamians work multiple jobs and cannot leave easily.
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Democracy requires convenience, not barriers.
Intended Outcomes
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Higher turnout
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Greater youth engagement
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A shared national moment of unity and pride
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An election experience people look forward to — not avoid
The BFM Principle: National Civic Duty Day is how we turn voter apathy into national unity: One election, One people, One purpose.
Clean, Accurate, Modernized Voter Registry
Before we count votes honestly, we must register voters honestly.
The Problems We Must Fix
Bahamians have raised serious concerns in recent elections, including:
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Unexplained additions or removals to constituency lists
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Thousands of people missing or moved without clarity
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No public explanation of transfer rules
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An outdated, manual system vulnerable to error.
These concerns undermine trust and weaken democracy — even when no wrongdoing exists.
The Policy
A full, standardized modernization of the register:
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Independent Voter Registry Commission
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Non-partisan
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Professionally staffed
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Overseen by a cross-section of civil society
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Annual Public Audits
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Published results
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Clear corrections
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Explanations for additions, removals, or transfers
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Digital Voter Verification Portal
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Check registration
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Check polling station
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Request corrections
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Get confirmations by email or SMS
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Constituency-Level Transparency Reports
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Final list published 90 days before election
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All changes clearly logged
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The BFM Principle: The register belongs to the people — not political operators.
Modern Elections Infrastructure
A 21st-century Bahamas deserves a 21st-century democracy.
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Electronic poll books to eliminate manual errors
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Standardized chain-of-custody for ballots
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Strict timelines for releasing official results
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Mandatory training and certification for election workers
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A national Election Data Portal with real-time updates
The BFM Principle: It is time for modern systems we can have faith in.
Full Protection Against Voter Intimidation & Retaliation
No employer, no party, no official should ever make a Bahamian fear voting.
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Legal protections for employees needing time off
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Anonymous reporting system for threats or intimidation
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Strong penalties for interference by employers, political operatives, or public officials
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Clear rules for campaign conduct within polling zones
The BFM Principle: Our democracy belongs to Bahamians — not to political machines.
National Education & Civic Literacy Program
Democracy dies when people stop understanding it.
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Annual national “Know Your Rights” campaign
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School-based civic curriculum enhancement
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Short animated explainers on the voting process
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Simple guides to constituency boundaries, rights, and responsibilities
The BFM Principle: Every Bahamian must have all the information they need to participate. .
Poll
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