Bahamas

House of Assembly

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

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)
16 Sep 2021
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
19 Aug 2021
Timing of election
Early elections
Expected date of next elections
30 Sep 2026
Number of seats at stake
39
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
11
Total number of candidates
225

Voter turnout

Registered voters
194,526

Results

About the election

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), now led by Mr. Philip Davis, regained power after four years in opposition, following early elections that were constitutionally due by May 2022. The PLP won 32 seats in the 39-member House of Assembly, thereby ousting Prime Minister Hubert Minnis’ Free National Movement (FNM). The 2021 elections were held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During campaigning, the major parties focused on measures to tackle the pandemic, and on the economy. The PLP also promised to reduce value-added tax and raise revenue by taxing the wealthiest. On 18 September, the Governor General, Sir Cornelius A. Smith, swore in Mr. Davis as the new Prime Minister.

On 6 October, the newly elected House of Assembly and the Senate (see note) convened for the opening session. For the first time in the history of the Bahamas, women preside in both chambers of parliament. The House of Assembly elected Ms. Patricia Deveaux (PLP) as its new Speaker, while the Senate is now led by Ms. Lashell Adderley. The opening session was held at Baha Mar (a mega-resort opened in 2017) instead of the capital Nassau so as to respect social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note:

A 16-member upper chamber is appointed by the Governor General and is renewed after each general election to the House of Assembly.

Number of parties winning seats
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
18.2%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
82.1%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) 32
Free National Movement (FNM) 7
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
32
Number of women elected
7
Percentage of women elected
17.9%
Women Directly Elected
7
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
32
Total number of women after the election
7
Percentage of women after the election
17.9%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
06 Oct 2021

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Patricia Deveaux (Female)
Date of birth: 02 Jun 1968
Political party
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)
Date of election
06 Oct 2021

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No