News
CAFFE congratulates TCI on “free and fair” Elections with “High Professional Standards”
Turks and Caicos, February 10, 2025 – At the invitation of the office of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE), mounted an observation mission to cover the general elections held in the territory on Friday, February 7, 2025. The team from CAFFE, comprising four members of the organization, led by Deputy Chairman, Anton Thompson were able to witness the opening of the poll, voting and the close of poll process.
Members of the team began arriving from Tuesday February 4, 2025 and, prior to the elections, meetings were held with the Supervisor of Elections and members of his team, the Acting Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders.
Voting was conducted in thirty (30) polling stations across the ten electoral districts in the territory. On election day, each of the four CAFFE observers was deployed to one of the four main island groups namely, Grand Turk, Middle and North Caicos, Providenciales and South Caicos. CAFFE’s observer team visited all the polling locations during the course of the day and, in many cases, was able to visit some locations more than once.
The elections provided a particular challenge in that, for the first time, an electronic tabulating system was being used in all polling stations, which meant that the ballots were not, in the first instance, going to be counted manually. This involved voters shading oval spaces next to the names of their preferred candidates on the ballot, rather than marking an “X” as had been the case in the past. 
The introduction of this system was intended to speed up the tabulation of the votes and the announcement of the results.
We wish to mention that the teams from the Elections Department were well-trained and approached their assignments with enthusiasm and diligence. In addition, there was adequate security at all locations with the officers displaying a high level of professionalism. There were no reports of disruptive behaviour on the part of voters or any other persons during the conduct of the polls. We witnessed no instances of treating, bribing or intimidation of voters. And, we saw no breach of the regulations prohibiting congregation within 100 yards of polling locations.
On the other hand, there were some challenges with the use of the new electronic tabulating system for voting. The set-up arrangements in the morning took some time and were delayed if all the required persons, including agents, were not present. This meant that most polling locations opened late – some by as much as an hour late.
Although, the Presiding Officers did their very best to provide detailed explanations as to how to mark the ballots, using this new system, some, mostly older, voters had problems and had to return for a second ballot – as is provided for in the law.
In the view of the CAFFE Observer Team, the elections were free and fair, were conducted with high professional standards and, as such, the results would have reflected the wishes of the electorate.
A full report will be submitted to the Governor’s office in approximately thirty days.
Caffe wishes to congratulate the staff of the Electoral Commission, the Poll Workers, the Political Parties and their Candidates, the Security Forces and the People of the TCI for the mature way in which the Elections were conducted with no reported incidents of violence, and the high level of patience displayed while waiting in queues.
CAFFE also wishes to thank the Office of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the opportunity to participate in this exercise and the invaluable support they provided and the Supervisor of Elections and his team for their facilitation of our visits to the various polling locations.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
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