Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday Bahamians should not be discouraged from voting in the constitutional referendum set for November 6, despite the government's decision to ignore the results of the 2013 gaming referendum.
"Let me emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that these constitutional bills will require a yes vote in a binding constitutional referendum," said Minnis in the House of Assembly.
"Those persons who might feel some way discomfited by events which have followed a recent referendum should not be in any way discouraged.
"This constitutional referendum will count. The results of this referendum will be important and binding."
The government yesterday tabled four constitutional referendum bills in the House of Assembly.
Minnis has been very critical of the government's decision not to honor the results of the gaming referendum, in which the majority of people who participated voted against the regulation and taxation of web shops.
The government decided to go against the results of that referendum.
Prime Minister Perry Christie announced earlier this year that the government intends to bring legislation to regulate the web shop industry.
Minnis previously said the government's decision on the matter shows it can not keep a promise.
However, Minnis said yesterday the constitutional referendum, which seeks to bring about gender equality, is a bigger issue and requires parliamentary support.
"Though there is much which divides us in this place, let us speak with one voice when the issue is equality before the law," he said. "Let us, Mr. Speaker, speak as one in this place.
"If we can do so, we will signal to every Bahamian and the watching world our unified commitment to the advancement of human dignity in our beloved Bahamas.
"The success of this effort will require a bold and unified, multi-partisan and multi-sectoral effort on the part, not just of the political parties, but of civil society organizations, the Constitutional Commission, as well as social, civic and religious leaders."
Minnis encouraged Bahamians to attend the educational meetings that will commence in the coming weeks, consider the proposals and vote their conscience.
While Minnis hopes for widespread support, Bahamas Christian Council President Ranford Patterson previously said he will not vote in the constitutional referendum.
"I'm not supporting it because it's a waste of my time," he said in March.
When interviewed earlier this month, Patterson reiterated his views.
"Bahamians, I believe, we don't care to hear about another referendum," Patterson said.
"That's my honest belief. Who knows? [The government] may be able to galvanize the people to go to the polls, but I can almost guarantee that the turnout would be less than what we [saw] in the last referendum."
About 45 percent of registered voters voted in the gaming referendum.

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