Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney said yesterday it is "increasingly unlikely" that the government will hold a constitutional referendum in June. In a recent interview, Prime Minister Perry Christie was hesitant about giving a date for the proposed referendum.

"The process leading to a referendum is being directed by the Constitutional Commission, Mr. Sean McWeeney," Christie said. "They have required certain consultations which I am told have taken place. That is with respect to political directorate.

"I was very clear with my own pronouncements that I wanted near to unanimity as possible and I did not want to campaign on this matter.

"I am reliant on what is taking place with the Constitutional Commission and in relation to that, their discussion with [Minister of National Security], who represents the government in any decision as to the date of the referendum."

Asked whether a June referendum is likely, Christie said he did not want to speculate.

"It is a matter that requires certainty," he said. "In terms of any pronouncement on my part, it is a matter that I would prefer to defer to the minister of national security, who has the constitutional and ministerial responsibility to deal with that issue. And he has in fact been in discussions with the Constitutional Commission.

"So, he would make the recommendation to us as to the readiness of his department, which will conduct any polling. So, that it where it is."

When pressed on whether a June referendum is likely, McWeeney said, "June is increasingly unlikely".

With just over three months before the proposed gender equality referendum, the four constitutional amendment bills remain in the committee stage in the House of Assembly.

Two weeks ago, Nottage said there was no indication as to when the bills will come out of committee and be voted on.

"There is no indication yet," Nottage said. "That is the answer."

He said while there is no hold up with the bills, the commission was given more time to educate Bahamians. In September 2014, the government delayed the referendum until June. It was the fourth time the government delayed the referendum.

The referendum was originally expected to take place in June 2013, but it was delayed to November 2013. It was then pushed to June 2014, and then to November 2014. After the referendum bills were tabled in Parliament last year, controversy erupted in various circles.

The fourth bill would make it unconstitutional to discriminate against someone based on sex. There is fear the bill could lead to challenges in support of same-sex marriages. The concern surrounding the second bill is that it would spawn marriages of convenience. In order for constitutional changes to take place, the bills must be approved with at least three-quarters support in both the House of Assembly and the Senate.

The bills must then be approved by a simple majority of voters in a referendum. A similar referendum held in 2002 was defeated.

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