Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles held a press conference on Monday to address security measures being implemented ahead of the 2026 general election.

Commissioner Knowles told reporters measures have been revamped based on the experience of the advanced poll held on April 30th. She said, “we brought everybody back in to again remind them of their responsibilities as it relates to working to these election polls. And so we have been planning for the past few weeks to make sure that every constituency is covered and that our officers remain alert and follow the law as it relates to the elections.”

According to the Commissioner all vacations have been postponed and all able bodied officers are expected to be on duty. “In New Providence we have just over 1,000 officers who will be working. This does not include the officers who will be taking care of the stations that are open 24 hours but certainly all of our administrative offices will be closed. So officers who work in those 9 to 5 areas will be out on the streets, will be at those polling stations working.”

It is expected that 300 officers will be in Grand Bahama with over 100 officers in the family islands at the various polling stations. Commissioner Knowles said, “if during the day we consider any particular area a hotspot then the public order team will be called out. They are in strategic locations around New Providence.”

Police officers will also be outfitted with body cams on election day. The Commissioner said, “when necessary they will activate those body cams. There is policy governing them and so they are expected to be adorned with their body cameras.”

Police urge the public to remain calm and cooperate with officers during the voting process.