The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

VOTERS young and old turned out in Grand Bahama to vote in the controversial referendum on gender equality after weeks of strong campaigning by the government and various opposing groups in the lead up to the poll.

Acting Assistant Parliamentary Commissioner Reno Smith reported that there were 28,718 eligible voters on the register in Grand Bahama.

“Everything went well and we had very minimal challenges with persons going to the wrong polling stations,” he told The Tribune. “But, basically it went well and we had very large turnouts of enthusiastic voters in the early morning in Freeport.”

There were no major issues reported in either East or West Grand Bahama, Mr Smith said.

Harvey Tynes, QC, was spotted around 11am at the Freeport Primary School, which served as one of five polling stations for the East Grand Bahama constituency.

Mr Tynes believes that all four bills are flawed, but is mainly opposed to bill two, which would give foreign husbands of a Bahamian woman the same right to apply for citizenship that the foreign spouse of Bahamian man currently enjoys. However, this would not be automatic and be subject to review by immigration officials.

The lines were not long and voters were in and out quickly.

While at Freeport Primary School, The Tribune spoke to Rev Lucian Hall who shared his feelings on the referendum.

“I voted ‘yes’ across the board. I think the referendum is a good thing,” said Rev Hall. “I think it is about time that we make it right for all Bahamians to be on equal footing concerning citizenship. I have personal experience with my family going through hardship and difficulty because of the unfair practices we have in the country regarding equality.”

Rev Hall does not think that it is right that children of foreign fathers married to Bahamian women are not able to automatically take the citizenship of their Bahamian mothers if they are born abroad. He noted that too many children are suffering now under the current law. “It is time to try and make it right.”

Resident Kevin Bain did not agree with Rev Hall and said he voted ‘no’ across the board.

“He is talking about regularising Bahamians, but what happens with those born before the referendum you still have thousands who are disenfranchised because it is not retroactive, and that is the problem,” he said.

Jarvin Roberts said he also voted ‘no’ to all four bills. He said that the government is supposed to be impartial.

“The mere fact that … they were backing the ‘yes’ group, I felt they took away my right; they are not supposed to (tell) Bahamians how to vote,” he said.

Mr Bain agreed that the government’s job is to educate Bahamians and not pick sides. “They are not to tell us what to vote. Anytime you have a senior civil servant such as the director of immigration campaigning, that is a problem - it is not supposed to happen.”

A male voter who did not give his name said that he voted ‘no’ to bill four, which some religious ministers believe would open the door to same-sex marriage in the Bahamas.

“I do not agree with the last bill, that ain’t right in God’s eyes,” he said. “In the Bible that is an abomination. I voted ‘yes’ for the other three, but the fourth I ain’t for that one.”

At the Jack Hayward High School, voters were pouring in steadily around noon to vote.

Yesterday Rev Keith Meadows said it is the duty of citizens of the Bahamas to participate in important national events like a referendum.

“I read all of the bills for myself and whenever you have to make a decision such as this we need to look into it, dissect for yourself because everyone’s views are different. You cannot look at the other’s views because everyone has their interpretation, even when it comes to the Word of God,” Rev Meadows said.

The clergyman did not want to share how he voted, but said he voted based on his interpretation and based on the guidance from the spirit.

“After hearing the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ side, I determined my decision based on the direction of God,” he said.

Lawyer Constance McDonald, who led the vote ‘yes’ campaign in Grand Bahama, said she felt confident about the outcome.