This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression in The Bahamas from 9th October 2025 to 8th June 2026.
GENERAL
Incumbent PM is re-elected in snap elections
On 1st April 2026, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced an early general election on 12th May 2026, moving the vote several months ahead of its originally scheduled mid-October date, and dissolved the parliament on 8th April 2026. The election was initially scheduled for October, but, according to Reuters, it was called early out of concern about holding the vote during hurricane season. The main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) denounced that the current system allows too much discretion over election timing and pledged to introduce fixed election dates in The Bahamas if it forms the next government. The main themes of the campaign were immigration, especially from neighbouring Haiti, and the rising cost of living. A fake AI generated video cicrulated purporting to show the Prime Minister promoting an investment scheme. The Office of the Prime Minister issued a press statement to clarify that the video was fake and not endorsed.
On 12th May 2026, incumbent Prime Minister Philip Davis and his Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), secured a second term in office. The PLP obtained 33 out of 41 seats. Women account for nearly 22% of the seats.
The CARICOM Election Observation Mission stated that electors were able to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner, and without significant incident.
Freedom of Information Act remains unimplemented but is on the government’s agenda
The Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2017 but is still not fully enacted and, as of today, Bahamians cannot submit official FOIA requests. According to the Executive Director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance, successive administrations have promised to implement the FOIA but failed to do so. According to him, the desire to hide certain information from the public could be a factor explaining why the Act remains largely unimplemented.
In her 20th May 2026 speech, the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Cynthia A. Pratt promised that the government would expand and fully implement the Freedom of Information Act, and ensure that public bodies maintain trained FOIA officers and disclosure systems.
The FOIA represents a vital step toward achieving a more open and accountable government in The Bahamas. Its full enactment is not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative. As the country moves forward, the Freedom of Information Act will serve as a cornerstone of good governance, ensuring the principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation are upheld
- Organisation for Responsible Governance’s 2024 position paper on The Bahamas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2017
EXPRESSION
Press freedom absent from political parties’ election manifestos
Journalist Deandre Williamson and member of the Bahamas Press Club denounced that, in the general election campaign, no party had a detailed plan to protect press freedom. According to her, the PLP’s Blueprint for Progress manifesto promises the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) but that piece of legislation has been promised for years and is still only partially implemented (see above).
ASSOCIATION
Prime Minister cancels meeting with unions after strike threats of strike
On 13th October 2025, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that the meeting scheduled for 14th October 2025 with representatives of the Bahamas Union of Teachers had been cancelled, following public comments made by unions earlier that day. Belinda Wilson, the President of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, had indicated that another major protest could come if the meeting with Prime Minister Davis did not yield results. The President of the Bahamas Public Service Union Kimsley Ferguson also warned that if the meeting failed to produce results, unions would “visit the House of Assembly” and intensify their campaign. Protests erupted the next day (see below).
ASSEMBLY
Workers’ rights protests
- On 15th October 2025, hundreds of union members marched toward Parliament and government offices, demanding that salary increments be made retroactive and paid out immediately. Tensions escalated when the Prime Minister cancelled planned negotiations with union representatives, blaming the threat of strikes. In response, union leaders threatened to intensify their actions, including potential work stoppages. Six public schools closed that day as teachers were participating in the protests.
- On 9th November 2025, members of the Bahamas Taxicab Union protested in front of the Nassau cruise port to denounce their poor working conditions (such as restricted access to bathrooms) at the port and the lack of response to their labour issues. During the protest, taxi drivers blocked the entrance to the port, which led to a standoff with police officers. Police and protesters argued after police officers asked them to remove their vehicles. As a result, police tackled a protester to the ground and arrested at least two protesters.
- On 1st December 2025, unionised faculty staff at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute staged a sit-out to demand the permanent removal of President Dr Linda Davis, whom they accuse of misconduct and mismanagement, and to demand that the allegations be addressed and that some funds and salary increments be released.
- On 15th December 2025, employees of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company held a protest outside BTC’s location on Poinciana Drive to denounce working conditions and non-compliance with an industrial agreement. In particular, they denounce a windowless building that was designed to accommodate equipment and not staff.