The Bahamas Crisis Centre (BCC) has called on Prime Minster Perry Christie to delay the referendum on gender equality until mid-2015, arguing that more time is needed for a proper education process, BCC official Donna Nicolls confirmed yesterday.
Nicolls, a senior volunteer and trainer, said a letter was sent to the Office of the Prime Minister detailing the BCC's request on Friday.
The BCC is hoping to persuade Christie to delay the referendum until June or July of 2015.
Nicolls said there are too many "misconceptions" surrounding the referendum bills and underscored the importance of a proper educational campaign.
"We think that this is a one-shot deal," she said, referring to the referendum that is scheduled for November 6.
"It is a very important constitutional referendum...It's very important to remind our citizens that equality for men and women is what we believe in and what we fight for every day in our advocacy. And we just don't think that we have enough time. Based on all of the comments and the misunderstanding that people have on the impact of these bills, we think that we need more time to be able to have constructive conversations with different groups of people."
Nicolls said the center is also seeking support from various advocacy groups.
In the last month, several religious leaders, observers and members of Parliament, including a few on the governing side, have expressed concern about at least one of the four constitutional referendum bills.
The most controversial is the fourth amendment bill, which seeks to end discrimination based on sex. There is fear that the bill could lead to challenges in support of same-sex marriages.
However, several government officials, including Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson have dismissed such suggestions.
The crisis center's call for a delay comes after retired Justice Rubie Nottage expressed concern that there may not be enough time to educate the public on the constitutional amendment bills before going to referendum, but said she remains "hopeful".
While she said it is "doable", Nottage admitted the Constitutional Commission's education campaign is not yet in high gear because of the delay in passing the bills.
"I am hopeful, because I am so convinced that this is an important issue," Nottage told The Nassau Guardian on Thursday.
"Now, I am realistic. I know people don't want to vote on anything that they are not clear about. That is right.
"The November 6 date is coming on us fast, and we still have not had the bills move through the House.
"And so, that bothers me. It concerns me because it leaves such a short window for us to really try to open up and make clear what the bills say.
"To that extent, I think that it is a very short window, but it is doable."
Last Monday, the government delayed the vote in the House of Assembly, amid ongoing consultation.
Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Dr. Bernard Nottage said the government was advised to wait until consultation with religious leaders wraps up so their input could be taken into consideration.
Free National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner said if the government finds that it needs more time to properly educate the Bahamian public ahead of the referendum, she would support a delay.
"If it even means having to push the actual referendum date back, I would rather do it the right way and try and give it the best opportunity than to hold fast to a date that I think the government prematurely determined would be that date, given the fact that they didn't have a wide appreciation of the sort of questions that would arise from what they've presented."
Butler-Turner said the government must ensure that the general public receives adequate education ahead of the referendum.
She added that she hopes that it the referendum is not compromised by all of these heavy issues.

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