NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) yesterday advised its heads of departments to submit the names of marines expected to vote in the advanced polls in the upcoming general election.

In a memo sent out on April 29, the law enforcement agency said the move is “in preparation for the possibility of an early General Election”.

Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet yesterday, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, who has responsibility for elections, said the memo is “nothing out of the ordinary”.

“I won’t read too deeply into that,” he said. “This is a normal occurrence and I don’t think you should read too deeply into that either. Only one person will determine the date of the election and he hasn’t yet done so.”

Dames insisted: “Only one person can decide that — only one person and that is the prime minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

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