Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson on Tuesday defended the integrity of the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD) and urged political figures to exercise caution when making public comments.
Thompson issued the statement a day after Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard raised concerns about the electoral process and called for his resignation.
Speaking at a press conference, Pintard also called for the immediate removal of Returning Officer Neil Campbell.
He pointed to recent reports of voter’s card fraud while questioning the integrity of the electoral process.
Pintard wrote to the United Nations and US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker requesting that they send independent election observers for the May 12 general election, citing concerns regarding the accuracy of the voters’ register and the “administration of the ongoing registration exercise”.
Election observers from the Organization of American States, CARICOM and the Commonwealth have been observing elections in The Bahamas for years.
“The Parliamentary Registration Department carries out its duties under the constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act,” Thompson pointed out.
“The review of the register, including the correction or removal of entries where the law and the evidence require, is a lawful and established part of election administration in The Bahamas.
“That process protects the accuracy of the register and public confidence in the system.”
Thompson noted that observers have long been a part of The Bahamas’ electoral process, adding that the government has already sent invitations to “several prominent groups” to observe the upcoming election.
“It is public knowledge that observer missions have been present in Bahamian elections for many years, and the public knows that The Bahamas has a strong record of peaceful and successful elections,” he said.
“These are established features of our democracy. We have already sent invitations to several prominent groups to observe the elections.
“The department maintains a working relationship with the legal teams and representatives of all major political parties. Where a party identifies a concern, that concern is reviewed.
“Where a correction is required, that correction is made. This has always been the practice.
“It is how the system works, and it is how the register is strengthened over time. I, therefore, ask all political parties and public figures to exercise care and responsibility in their public comments.
“Civil servants who carry out their duties under law deserve fairness and respect.”
In his letters, dated April 8, 2026, Pintard said, “While these concerns do not constitute proof of irregularity, they are of a nature that may undermine public confidence if not addressed through transparent and independent scrutiny.”
Pintard accused the government of becoming “so drunk with power and greed that it is prepared to gamble with the legitimacy of our elections”.
He stated that the presence of “credible international observers” is the most effective way to ensure transparency and accountability.
Following Pintard’s request, the US Embassy in Nassau told The Nassau Guardian that it is “proud to promote transparency and public confidence in democratic elections by providing neutral election observers”.
The embassy said it looks forward to observing the election as it did in 2021.
Thompson said that political disagreements should never become a basis for “attacking officers whose role is to apply the law faithful and professionally”.
“I will defend the integrity of this department and the good name of the public servants who serve within it,” Thompson said.
“These officers work diligently, impartially, and with a clear sense of duty to the Bahamian people. Their reputations should never be placed at risk for political gain.
“The Bahamas has held successful elections across administrations and across many election cycles.
“Our democratic institutions are familiar with scrutiny, with close contests, and with the lawful processes that come with maintaining an accurate register. That includes engagement with political parties, legal representatives, and observer missions.”
Thompson urged every stakeholder in the electoral process to respect the law, respect the officers charged with carrying it out, and respect the institutions that support free and fair elections in The Bahamas.
“The Parliamentary Registration Department remains committed to acting fairly, lawfully, and in the public interest,” he said.
In a statement released on Monday, the OAS, which has deployed an electoral observation mission in The Bahamas for the last three elections, announced that Saint Kitts and Nevis Ambassador Sherry Tross will lead a delegation to observe the May 12 election.
