Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Fred Mitchell has voiced concern over the inadequate communication from the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) and the impact it is having on the party.
In a letter addressed to Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson on May 5, Mitchell highlighted the issue following a protest led by the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Coalition of Independents (COI) outside Police Headquarters. The protest was triggered by the PRD’s decision to relocate some ballot boxes, which was communicated late to the parties involved.
FNM Chairman Dr. Duane Sands and COI Leader Lincoln Bain criticized the late notice regarding the ballot relocation, and Mitchell echoed their concerns.
“I write of behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party to express a concern about the manner and timing of communications from the commissioner’s office to our party representatives to your office,” Mitchell wrote.
“Our representatives report that there was short notice for what was a routine election procedure on Tuesday, 5 May, 2026. This short notice resulted in regrettable confusion at the site of the police headquarters.
“We do not share the view that the public drama at the police headquarters was necessary, but this is what we have come to expect from opposition parties who appear to be on a mission to discredit the office when in fact your office has been a study in excellent cooperation.
“However, it would be useful to seek to avoid any such further opportunities for them and adverse criticisms of our party if there is an agreed strategy of reasonable and early communication between us and all other parties involved in the processes.
“Our concern is that every time there appears to be a default, the PLP is blamed for issues we are not responsible for,” he noted.
Mitchell advocated for timely and strategic communication among all parties to avoid future controversies.
Officials have clarified that the PRD is tasked with transporting ballot boxes to the Family Islands in preparation for the upcoming general election on May 12. Those boxes were moved today after political parties met and agreed to a plan for the reloction.
