By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
VOTERS will not be heading to the polls to decide on changes to the constitution in November, Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney said yesterday.
With just one month to go from the deadline confirmed by Prime Minister Perry Christie earlier this month, Mr McWeeney explained that it was highly improbable that the country would be ready to vote on the likely issue of gender discrimination.
Mr McWeeny said: “No, there is no way that’s going to happen. The bills have to pass both houses, so that’s not going to happen. (Mr Christie) said before that it’s not going to be in November.”
Mr McWeeny added that Prime Minister Christie was expected to speak on the issue sometime this week, possibly at the reopening of the parliament tomorrow.
Earlier this month Mr Christie said the government still planned to hold the national poll in November and suggested it will likely address issues of gender discrimination.
Attempts to reach Mr Christie at his office were unsuccessful yesterday.
However, an government communications official confirmed that the referendum was still on track for a November polling, and there had not yet been any announcement to the contrary.
Last year, the referendum on gambling was moved from December 3 to January 28. The decision to postpone the vote on the possible legalization of web shops was announced mid-November.
The Constitutional Commission submitted its report on July 8, in time for the 40th anniversary of independence, and nine months after it was formed by the government.
Listed in descending order of priority, the top four areas for which the Constitutional Commission advocates reforms for:
• Amending citizenship provisions to achieve gender-neutrality and full equality between men and women with respect to the acquisition or transmission of nationality.
• Expanding the definition of discrimination in Article 26 to include “sex” as a prohibited ground.
• Creating a constitutionally and operationally autonomous Director of Public Prosecutions with control over public prosecutions.
• Creating an independent and constitutionally secure Election and Boundaries Commission, with responsibility for the conduct of elections and reviewing the boundaries of constituencies.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago
"Referndum - an announced event that never happens".
Although it's confusing from the story whether the entire event is cancelled or the "referEndum" is still on but the gender question is just omitted
It points out again the fact that these legislators know nothing about planning. Principle: know all the work required to get what you want done, know how long each piece takes and know the dependencies between the work. It's clear when Mr Christie made his statement he was pulling it from "somewhere" other than a well thought out plan.
nationbuilder 10 years, 6 months ago
what a mess - again
TalRussell 10 years, 6 months ago
Constitutional Commission Comrade Chairman Sean McWeeney forget this constitutional reform nonsense, cause the people done told Hubert to forget it. Now, if you want to get serious about some'tin bothering the hell out ordinary folks, then seek approval from the PM to proceed with a real meaty referendum. Here's what you need to do. Tell PM Christie to call a referendum "quickly" with no advance planning stages necessary. Pose one simple question to the people. "Should members of parliament and cabinet minsters be treated to greater benefits than those afforded to ordinary Bahamalanders?" Comrade Sean guess what, you don't even have to ask if Bahamalanders think they should be paying their tax dollars for members of the government and Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to feast off buffets catered to them whenever the House of Assembly is in session?
And, all the people said...AMEN!
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago
Amen!
leeza 10 years, 6 months ago
Am not surprised are you? did not plan to waste my time casting a ballot no ways
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago
Don't you dare Leeza. Get yourself to the polls and vote. When you watch the news your vote could be the difference between sense and absolute foolishness.
leeza 10 years, 6 months ago
LOL you are absolutely right!
JohnDoe 10 years, 6 months ago
The real issue here is who is in charge of the affairs of this country? Almost every Cabinet Minister behaves like the Acting PM, now a private citizen has the gumption to pre-empt the PM and inform the nation of a reversal of a policy decision before the PM himself has addressed it. Mr. PM just pass a Bill to crystallize your pension and exit stage left because it is obvious that you are not engaged in the affairs of this country. These perilous times call for a PM that is engaged with sleeves rolled up and a shoulder to the wheel.
TalRussell 10 years, 6 months ago
Now that there will be no Constitutional referendum will Comrade Sean also follow his committee colleague Carl B., into the Senate Chambers?
Baha10 10 years, 6 months ago
Ah, the Puppet Master finally speaks for the Puppet.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 6 months ago
We done had one re fe ren dum and the people still glassy eyed an spinin in dem web shop .
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago
It's really strange a few weeks ago there was a report of "the winning numbers being changed" at a web shop and "angry customers outside the doors demanding their money". Isn't that all the evidence the Commissioner needed to shut that establishment down? They admitted Tribune front page that some game of chance was being hosted and the shops are operating as agents to distribute gambling proceeds locally
BahamasGamingAssociation 9 years, 9 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...
WHICH ON OF THE BELOW REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BAHAMAS?
The Bahamas Lottery and Gaming Act Chapter 387 Section 50 Persons prohibited from Gaming
Or
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Chapter III – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individual. Section 26 Protection from Discrimination on grounds of Race, Place of Origin etc.
The Bahamas Gaming Association stands by the Ideology that all human beings who are 18 years or older should be treated equally in all sectors of the Bahamian Economy which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
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