Some Bahamian citizens living in China said they were disenfranchised after they were not able to vote in the gender equality referendum.

Thousands of Bahamians voted in the referendum yesterday in The Bahamas. Bahamians in London, Miami, Washington, DC and other cities voted at overseas offices in an advance poll last week.

According to the Embassy of The Bahamas in China, there are 150 to 200 Bahamians registered at its office, and 300 to 400 Bahamians residing there in total.

Some of them have questioned whether they were "Bahamian enough" to vote.

Despite a "decent turn-out" of Bahamians in the advance poll last Tuesday in London, Miami, and other offices abroad, several Bahamians in China told The Nassau Guardian that they were not allowed to vote and neither were Bahamians in Geneva, Switzerland.

"There are quite a number of us residing here in China," said Latrae Rahming, a young Bahamian.

"Regardless of whether it is one or two of us here, you cannot say or act as though Bahamians voting in Canada [are] more important than Bahamians voting in China.

"That's a precedent that you don't want to set because we have a significant value.

"You can't say one group of persons should vote and the others shouldn't.

"There wasn't even a definitive answer to say the reason why we weren't allowed to vote."

Rahming said while many Bahamians in China are upset that they did not get to exercise their right to vote, they are also concerned about whether they will be allowed to vote in the general election.

"This is not the first time this has happened," he said.

"For certain, there has been a request for them to make certain that this does not happen in the general election.

"We viewed this referendum as significant for our country and it was a process that we wanted to be involved in.

"We feel disenfranchised.

"This was the topic of discussion and people wanted to be a part of the determining factor particularly, when it comes to something that is going to impact them.

"To see persons in other countries being able to vote, but you are being denied that right, that would upset anybody.

"I think it would've brought more clarity to the situation if they gave us a reason."

Tavia Aumoithe, a 23-year-old bilingual international business student in China, said she feels "cheated".

"What about us?" she asked.

"We feel like we've been cheated in terms of the voting process.

"This is something that is very important to us and our country.

"Almost all of the Bahamians who live here are over 18 and are allowed to vote, so why is it that we cannot vote?

"In the U.S., the students are allowed to vote but we aren't and it is unfair.

"Our country has numerous connections and ties with the Chinese, so how difficult was it for our government to arrange for us to vote?

"We can host parties to welcome Bahamians into the country and celebrate national holidays and many other things, but can't come together or get the permission to do something much more important than some party.

"It's unfortunate that we weren't given the opportunity to voice our opinions.

"Maybe we're not Bahamian enough because we live in China and not The Bahamas."

Another Bahamian studying in Beijing said yesterday, "For my children and many others that I know, I would have voted yes for inclusion, for a unified Bahamas. This is the only regret that I have being in China at this time."

Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said he did not receive any form Js from Beijing and therefore was under no obligation to make accommodations for those Bahamians living in China.

The forms would have demonstrated an interest in participating in the poll, which would have obliged the parliamentary commissioner to accommodate the voters.

Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter

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