Bahamas
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
10.05.2017
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
11.04.2017
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
39
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
The number of candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
Notes
Number of candidates: About 140
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
6
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
181,543
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
160,409
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
88.36%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The Free National Movement (FNM), led by Mr. Hubert Minnis, ousted Prime Minister Perry Christie's Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) winning 35 seats to 4 in the 39-member House of Assembly (see note 1). The outgoing Prime Minister himself lost the seat he had held since 1977. On 11 May, Mr. Minnis was sworn in as new Prime Minister by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.
During the election campaigning, the FNM campaigned on a platform for change, promising to promote "Bahamian ownership in the economy". The PLP's campaign was reportedly overshadowed by corruption scandals and the delayed opening of a $4.2bn mega-resort called Baha Mar, owned by a foreign company (see note 2). The agreement signed between the PLP Government and the buyer of the Baha Mar in April stipulates further financial contribution of the Government, write off of debt as well as the issuing of work permits for foreign workers.
Note 1:
The number of seats in the House of Assembly has increased from 38 to 39 following the decision of the Boundaries Commission in December 2016.
Note 2:
Baha Mar resort was initially scheduled to open in December 2014 but the opening was postponed three times due mainly to bankruptcy filings, delayed construction and a change in ownership. It was finally opened in April 2017.
During the election campaigning, the FNM campaigned on a platform for change, promising to promote "Bahamian ownership in the economy". The PLP's campaign was reportedly overshadowed by corruption scandals and the delayed opening of a $4.2bn mega-resort called Baha Mar, owned by a foreign company (see note 2). The agreement signed between the PLP Government and the buyer of the Baha Mar in April stipulates further financial contribution of the Government, write off of debt as well as the issuing of work permits for foreign workers.
Note 1:
The number of seats in the House of Assembly has increased from 38 to 39 following the decision of the Boundaries Commission in December 2016.
Note 2:
Baha Mar resort was initially scheduled to open in December 2014 but the opening was postponed three times due mainly to bankruptcy filings, delayed construction and a change in ownership. It was finally opened in April 2017.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
33.33%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
89.74%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Free National Movement (FNM)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| Free National Movement (FNM) | 35 |
| Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) | 4 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
34
Number of women elected
5
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
12.82%
Sources
Parliamentary Registration Department, Results of the 2017 General Elections, Polling Division Data
Government of the Bahamas
Aljazeera
Bahamas Press
Bahamas Local
Bahamas National
Government of the Bahamas
Aljazeera
Bahamas Press
Bahamas Local
Bahamas National
Women Directly Elected
5
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
34
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
5
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
24.05.2017
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Halson
Moultrie
(Male)
Political party
Free National Movement (FNM)
Date of election
24.05.2017