PORT SPAIN — Bahamians headed to the polls Tuesday in a snap general election as Prime Minister Philip Davis and his Progressive Liberal Party sought a second consecutive term in office. Voters across the islands will determine which party forms the next government, with the party winning a majority of the 41 legislative seats becoming the ruling party.

Davis dissolved Parliament on April 8 and called the early vote. The election had initially been scheduled for October but was moved forward due to concerns about holding the ballot during hurricane season. Davis first came to power in a snap election in 2021.

"Today, we vote to keep The Bahamas moving forward. Let's protect our progress, keep our momentum, and secure what comes next," Davis said.

The Progressive Liberal Party has sought to remind voters of its accomplishments since taking office in 2021. The party held 32 of the 39 seats in the previous legislature. Two additional seats were added to this election following recommendations from the independent Constituencies Commission, bringing the total to 41.

The Free National Movement, led by Michael Pintard, has promised to fix what it claims the incumbents got wrong. Pintard took the helm of the party after its defeat in the September 2021 general election. Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, who previously led the Free National Movement, is running as an independent candidate.

The Coalition of Independents has sought to educate Bahamians about societal developments and expose corruption in government. "We think that Bahamians are ready for something different. The people want change," COI leader Lincoln Bain said.

Campaigning in the weeks leading up to Election Day focused on the state of the public healthcare system, the country's crime rate, the cost of living, and immigration. The campaign featured high spending and false claims spread on social media, sometimes using artificial intelligence. The race became closer following revelations of potentially improper government spending, including hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts.

International election observers from the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, and CARICOM arrived in The Bahamas to oversee the electoral process. The observers' presence follows a campaign that included false claims spread on social media.

If Davis wins, he would be the first leader of The Bahamas to serve a second term in nearly 30 years. No political party has formed a government for two consecutive terms since 1997, when Hubert Ingraham of the Free National Movement defeated the Progressive Liberal Party for the second election in a row.