NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – Bahamians are voting in a national referendum on Tuesday with the two major political parties urging citizens to exercise their rights on deciding whether or not to amend the country’s constitution that the authorities say will allow for greater gender equality in the country.

The ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) have both described the referendum as being important to the future direction of the country.

Several United Nations have already said that by voting for the four bills, the Bahamas will serve as a positive example to the international community, “and its actions will help to encourage reform in countries worldwide which have yet to afford their citizens equal nationality rights”.

When he launched the referendum campaign in April, Prime Minister Perry Christie said amendments would not allow for same sex marriages to become legal in the Bahamas.

“I repeat, this referendum will not cause same-sex marriage to become legal in the Bahamas. Marriage in the Bahamas will be legal only if it is between a man and a woman, and male and female are determined at birth,” he said.

In a statement, the PLP said it was urging all citizens to approach the referendum “with the seriousness of our numerous freedom fighters; those in the labour movement, the suffragettes and our founding fathers who led us to independence in 1973 in the pursuit of equality and social justice.

“Bahamians are reminded and are asked to consider the fact that since the march to independence, no change in legislation or to our Constitution was approached with the level of detail, range of consultation and broad based educational programme,” the PLP said.

It said the record clearly shows that the Constitutional Commission, which had members appointed by both political parties, worked for years to gain consensus and accommodate different views and concerns.

“They conducted literally hundreds of public meetings and information sessions before and after the bills passed in Parliament. This has been a transparent, inclusive and collaborative process from the beginning. Every answer and explanation offered in the education process was supported by provisions in the Constitution therefore there is nothing to hide and no place to hide.”

For its part, the FNM said that to ensure that all people have their voices heard during the referendum it will be “deploying poll observers all over the country on Tuesday.

“In order to have open and fair elections the people must be able to count on us to monitor and report any voting discrepancies. We do not expect that there will be any issues, but we will be present and prepared. 

“Our goal is not to ensure a specific outcome; it is to ensure a fair process. The people deserve to make their own choice and we will ensure that their voices are heard,” the FNM said.

Education, Science and Technology Minister Jerome K Fitzgerald said that all schools throughout the country will be closed as a result of the Constitutional Referendum. They will re-open on Wednesday he added.