Polls open nationwide as rallies, controversy and endorsements close heated campaign season

The Bahamas, May 11, 2026 – Temperatures across The Bahamas on Tuesday, May 12 are forecast to reach a high of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, with “feels like” temperatures expected to climb even higher — but the heat is not expected to disrupt the flow of voters to polling stations which open nationwide at 8 a.m.

More than 209,000 registered voters are expected to cast ballots in the country’s 2026 General Election, which will determine who forms the next government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Polling stations across New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands will remain open until 6 p.m., with all 41 House of Assembly seats being contested in what has become one of the country’s most energetic and closely watched election campaigns in recent years.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party and the opposition Free National Movement are fielding full slates of 41 candidates each, while the Coalition of Independents has emerged as a significant third-force movement with 40 candidates contesting seats nationwide.

Public schools throughout the country are closed Tuesday as many campuses are transformed into polling stations, while ballot boxes have already been dispatched to the Family Islands ahead of voting day.

The Parliamentary Registration Department has meanwhile reminded employers that registered voters are legally entitled to two hours off to vote in addition to their normal lunch break and has also issued guidance aimed at maintaining orderly conduct at polling locations.

The final days of campaigning transformed the country into a sea of rallies, motorcades, town halls and political events stretching from Exuma and Long Island to Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera, Andros, Inagua and Grand Bahama.

The PLP closed its campaign with the message “Choose Progress,” arguing the Davis administration has strengthened the economy, expanded social support and advanced national development projects.

The FNM campaigned heavily on accountability, affordability and governance reform under the slogan “We Work for You,” while the Coalition of Independents sought to position itself as the country’s disruptive alternative with the declaration: “Change ain’t coming — change is here.”

The campaign season also drew international attention with former NBA player and businessman Rick Fox attracting celebrity endorsements from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, actress Vanessa Williams and reggae icon Buju Banton through widely circulated video messages.

Adding further unpredictability to the race are at least 13 independent candidates contesting seats across the country, including former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in New Providence’s Killarney constituency, former Cabinet Minister Frederick McAlpine in Grand Bahama’s Pineridge constituency and Leroy Major in Southern Shores on New Providence — all seeking to break through the dominance of the country’s traditional party structure.

Meanwhile, election officials faced controversy in the campaign’s final hours after confirming that fewer than 150 voters, around 1 percent of electors had been mistakenly omitted from the register but would still be allowed to vote Tuesday — a decision questioned publicly by FNM Leader Michael Pintard amid broader concerns over voter integrity and election procedures.

Despite the political tensions, election officials say preparations are complete.

By Tuesday night, Bahamians are expected to know whether the PLP secures a second consecutive term, whether the FNM returns to office, or whether independents reshape the country’s political landscape.

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – 7 May 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has achieved ISO 9001:2015 Certification, marking a defining and historic milestone for both the institution and the nation.

TCICC is now the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to be certified to this internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard. While three other organisations within the country hold ISO certifications in different standards, TCICC stands as the first and only organisation to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, the global benchmark for quality management and continuous improvement.

This achievement positions TCICC not only as a national leader, but as a forward-thinking institution deliberately building a future grounded in excellence, accountability, and global relevance.

A Defining Moment in Institutional and National Transformation

ISO 9001:2015 certification affirms that TCICC operates with structured, measurable, and continuously improving systems that ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality academic and administrative services.

This milestone is the result of a rigorous, institution-wide transformation that has strengthened:

• Consistency and quality of academic and administrative services
• Student and stakeholder satisfaction
• Operational efficiency and transparency
• Risk management and compliance frameworks
• Evidence-based, data-driven decision-making

More than a certification, this achievement reflects a disciplined commitment to excellence and reinforces TCICC’s role as a catalyst for human capital development and national progress.

Excellence in Execution: An Institution-Wide Achievement

The certification was led by the College’s Quality Assurance Unit under the leadership of Mrs. Venessa Buchanan-Williams, whose strategic direction and disciplined execution were instrumental in achieving this milestone.

Supported by a cross-functional team of process owners across all divisions, the initiative represented a truly institution-wide effort. From academic affairs to student services, human resources, finance, IT, marketing, and operations, every unit contributed to embedding a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Mrs. Buchanan-Williams, Quality Assurance Manager and Project Lead, stated:

“ISO 9001:2015 required more than documentation. It required transformation. It challenged us to examine how we work, how we serve, and how we improve. What we have built is not a system for certification, but a system for sustained excellence.”

Leadership Perspective: Excellence by Design

Dr. Candice Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCICC, described the achievement as a transformational milestone:

“This is not simply the attainment of a certification. It is the institutionalisation of excellence. At TCICC, we have made a deliberate decision that quality will not be incidental; it will be engineered, measured, and continuously improved. Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification signals to our students, partners, and the nation that TCICC is operating at internationally recognised standards, while remaining deeply committed to national development. As we advance our vision of becoming the first choice for education and training in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond, this milestone ensures that our foundation is not only strong, but globally competitive.”

Governance Commitment to Quality and Accountability

Chair of the TCICC Board of Governors, Mrs. Sheba Wilson, highlighted the governance perspective:

“The Board remains committed to ensuring that TCICC operates with the highest levels of accountability, transparency, and excellence. Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification as the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to do so is a clear demonstration that the College is not only meeting expectations, but setting new benchmarks for institutional quality within the region.”

National Recognition and Government Endorsement

The Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, commended the College:

“This achievement represents a significant step forward for the Turks and Caicos Islands. TCICC has demonstrated that our national institutions can operate at the highest international standards. As the first organisation in the country to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, the College is setting a powerful precedent for quality, accountability, and excellence across all sectors. This milestone strengthens confidence in our education system and underscores TCICC’s vital role in developing the human capital needed to drive national growth and competitiveness.”

Embedding a Culture of Continuous Improvement

ISO 9001:2015 is not an endpoint; it is a framework for sustained excellence. Through its Quality Management System, TCICC will continue to:

• Conduct structured internal audits and management reviews
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks
• Enhance stakeholder satisfaction through responsive service delivery
• Strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms
• Drive innovation in teaching, learning, and institutional operations

This ensures the College remains agile, responsive, and future-ready in an evolving global education landscape.

Positioning TCICC for the Future

As the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, TCICC is strategically positioned to:

• Expand regional and international partnerships
• Increase student enrolment and stakeholder confidence
• Enhance global competitiveness
• Lead national dialogue on quality assurance and institutional excellence

This milestone demonstrates that TCICC is actively shaping the future of education and institutional excellence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.

Washington, D.C. – 5 May 2026– The Turks and Caicos Islands continues to strengthen its presence on the international stage through the successful implementation of the Vincula LAC Digital Skills Programme, an initiative led by the Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the World Bank and Coursera.

Representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Vincula LAC Graduation Ceremony held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. were members of the Vincula LAC Turks and Caicos Implementation Team, Dr. Candice Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Prinicia Miller, Workforce Development Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC). Their attendance reflects the Turks and Caicos Islands’ strategic commitment to equipping its citizens with globally competitive digital skills and strengthening workforce capacity to support economic growth and innovation.

To mark the occasion locally, the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College hosted a live watch event where participants across the Turks and Caicos Islands gathered to view the graduation ceremony and were formally presented with their certificates. The event served as a national celebration of achievement and progress in digital skills development.

In attendance were the Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, and the Honourable Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, Dr. Delores Stapleton-Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs and Dr. Patroy Montaque, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs. Both ministers delivered remarks congratulating graduates from across the Turks and Caicos Islands and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding access to digital education and workforce opportunities.

Since its launch in the Turks and Caicos Islands in August 2025, the Vincula LAC programme has demonstrated strong national engagement and impact. By the end of the programme, approximately 688 participants across the country had enrolled, collectively expressing interest in over 1,400 courses. Against an allocation of 500 licenses, the Turks and Caicos Islands achieved an exceptional 516 course completions, surpassing The World Bank’s target by 3.2 percent.

This performance reflects not only strong national engagement but also a clear demonstration of the country’s capacity to maximize access and translate opportunity into measurable outcomes.

Available data indicates strong participation across several islands.  Among those who reported their location, 155 graduates were from Providenciales, 31 from Grand Turk, 18 from North and Middle Caicos and 8 from South Caicos. While not all participants indicated their island of residence at point of completion, these figures demonstrate broad national engagement and the programme’s reach across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The programme continues to play a critical role in equipping citizens with in-demand digital skills that support national development priorities, economic diversification, and workforce resilience.

Building on this success, the Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture are pleased to announce that funding has been allocated to continue the online Coursera offerings.  A total of 200 licenses have been secured for the year and will be strategically rotated to ensure maximum utilisation and national reach. The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College will continue to manage and deliver the programme as part of its online offerings.

Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy stated: 

“This initiative is not simply about course completion. It is about national capacity building. We are deliberately positioning the Turks and Caicos Islands to compete in a digital global economy by investing in our people, expanding access to technology-driven learning, and creating pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience.”

Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture stated: 

“Education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The success of the Vincula LAC programme demonstrates what is possible when access, opportunity, and intentional policy align. We are proud of our graduates and remain committed to ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to develop the skills required to thrive in the modern workforce.”

Dr. Candice Williams, President/CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College stated: 

“This achievement reflects transformation. It demonstrates our ability as a nation to convert access into achievement and learning into impact. At TCICC, we are committed to ensuring that digital education is not a privilege, but a pathway. A pathway that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and positions the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leader in workforce development within the region.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College invites residents across the islands to enroll in its online Coursera programmes and gain in-demand digital skills through flexible, self-paced learning and globally recognised certifications.

Whether you are starting your career, advancing professionally, or exploring new opportunities, this is your moment to invest in your future.

Do not wait for opportunity. Prepare for it!