Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis displays his inked thumb after casting his vote in the gender equality referendum at St. Paul's Catholic Church yesterday morning. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)

Moments before casting his vote in yesterday's constitutional referendum, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis again refused to reveal how he planned to vote, calling his decision "a matter of confidentiality".

When asked by The Nassau Guardian his stance on the gender equality referendum, Minnis said the only time he will share how he voted is when he votes for himself in the next general election.

"I think voting when I last checked was confidential," he said.

"That confidentiality will only be broken in the general election because I live in Killarney and I will vote for myself.

"That is the only time my vote will be on record."

While he supported the referendum bills in Parliament, Minnis said people should "vote their conscience" in yesterday's referendum.

As he voted at St. Paul's Catholic Church yesterday morning, he echoed that message.

He also expressed happiness that Bahamians had a chance to change their future as they vote.

"I'm happy for the Bahamian people," Minnis said.

"Today, they have an opportunity to decide their future and their destiny.

"I would hope that as I had said in Parliament, the Bahamian people understand the issues, they were well educated and they understand what they're voting for.

"I asked them before and I ask them again to vote their conscience."

Minnis did not campaign for the vote yes or vote no camps, although he supported all four constitutional referendum bills in Parliament in March.

The first three referendum bills addressed matters of citizenship and sought to create equality for males and females under law.

Bill four would have made it unconstitutional to discriminate against someone based on sex.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected the bills.

Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter

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