But Opposition FNM leader, Senator Tommy Turnquest, said voters were eager to vote the PLP out of power.
The registration drive comes as political pundits and observers have been discussing the prospects of Prime Minister Perry Christie calling an election in early 2006 οΎ– well ahead of the legal deadline in May 2007.
Neither of the politicians said they believed the voter drive pointed to an early election. However, Senator Turnquest said his party would have the edge in the event of a snap poll.
“We would love an early election so that people can get rid of this ineffective inept PLP government,” said Senator Turnquest. “But I feel the Parliamentary Commissioner [Errol Bethel] is just doing his job.”
Senator Turnquest admitted that the FNM would be tested during its national convention in November, where he will be challenged by Dion Foulkes and possibly others, but predicted the FNM would come through any internal strife.
“It will be critical to see how we come out of convention,” he said, adding, “What we are doing is internal and as long as we keep it internal there will be no problem.”
The FNM leader said Prime Minister Christie had not proved to be a strong leader during the first three years of his mandate and would be judged on his performance.
“It’s disastrous because the country needs to know that the Prime Minister is at the helm, [and] is being proactive given all of the major issues that are going around,” said Senator Turnquest. “My view is that the people have already seen him in action, and just dancing around at campaign time is not going to cut it.”
He said the FNM would have immigration, crime, the economy, healthcare and education as major planks in its campaign platform.
But Mr Rigby promised that whether Senator Turnquest or some other leader led the FNM into the election the next election the result would be no different.
“We know that whoever is the leader is the FNM we will defeat them sound in the next general election,” said chairman Rigby. “The Bahamian people will know [and] will feel confident that they can trust us with the government because of how we have been able to transform this country and improve their lot. We are running on our record we are not running against any personalities.”
Parliamentary Registration Department Revising Officer Isabel Miller told the Guardian yesterday that turn out for the first day of the drive had been “fair”. The exact number of those who registered was, however, unavailable at press time.
The registration drive got underway at the Marathon and Town Centre Malls, the Main Post Office and the Parliamentary Registration Office. Freeport voters can register at the Parliamentary Registration Department in the National Insurance Building.
Meanwhile, Family Island registration will take place at Administrator’s offices on respective islands.
By RAYMOND KONGWA, Guardian Senior Reporter
