Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade reads a proclomation from the governor general declaring the constitutional referendum that will take place on  June 7. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)

The gender equality referendum has been budgeted at $1.57 million, Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage advised Parliament yesterday.

Nottage, who has ministerial responsibility for elections, revealed the anticipated cost as he outlined the process of the June 7 referendum.

He said the four referendum questions will appear as follows:

1. Do you approve of the constitution amendment number one bill, 2014?
Under this proposed change to the constitution, a child born outside The Bahamas would, after the coming into operation of this amendment, become a Bahamian citizen at birth if either its mother or father is a citizen of The Bahamas by birth.

2. Do you approve of the constitution amendment number two bill, 2014?
Under this proposed change to the constitution, a foreign spouse of a Bahamian citizen would, after the coming into operation of this article, be entitled to apply for and obtain citizenship subject to satisfying, one, existing national security or public policy considerations, and two, new provisions guiding against marriages of convenience.

3. Do you approve of the constitution amendment number three bill, 2014?
Under this proposed change to the constitution, a Bahamian father of a person outside of wedlock, after the coming into operation of this amendment, would be able to pass his citizenship to that person subject to legal proof that he is the father.

4. Do you approve of the constitution amendment number four bill, 2014?
Under this proposed change to the constitution, it would be unlawful to discriminate based on sex, which will be defined as being male or female.
Nottage said he was advised of "rumors" that the questions will appear in another order.

"That will be wrong," he said. "That will not happen.

"As the bills have been discussed up and down throughout country; passed in Parliament, the House of Assembly, and the Senate... is the same order in which they will be put on the ballot sheet.

"There will be no change."

Law enforcement officers, poll officers, staff of the Parliamentary Registration Department, Bahamas embassies and consulates, Bahamian students abroad, and special voters will vote in an advance poll on May 31.

Oversees voters must complete form "J" and submit it to the parliamentary commissioner before May 20 to qualify to vote.

Special voters, which includes patients who are likely to be prevented from traveling to the polling stations due to illness, pregnancy, recent childbirth or disability, must complete form "K" and submit it to the parliamentary commissioner before May 20.

Overseas voters and special voters will also vote in the advance poll on May 31.

The polls will be open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Nottage said following a recommendation from the Constitutional Commission and approval by Cabinet, the scales of justice symbol will be used for the 'yes' vote and the symbol of the gate will be used for the 'no' vote on the ballot sheet.

The minister said he will table an amendment to the Constitutional Regulations Act 2002 to have printed on each ballot the symbol of the scales of justice opposite the word 'yes' and the symbol of the gate opposite the word 'no' for each question.

The governor general, in accordance with the law, issued a proclamation of the referendum yesterday.

The notice of referendum will be issued by the returning officer on Saturday.

The 2012 register of voters will close on May 25, 2016.

Anyone who is not on the current register, but wishes to vote, must do so before that date.

Employers are required to allow employees, during the opening hours of the polls, two hours in addition to a meal hour, to vote.

The additional hour does not apply to employees who begin work at or after 10 a.m. or finish before or at 4 p.m.

The gender equality bills were passed in the House on March 2.

They were passed in the Senate on March 9.

Each bill must be passed by a majority of the electorate in order for the amendments to take effect.

Nottage urged Bahamians to vote in support of the bills and to encourage their friends, relatives and coworkers to do the same.

Davis said June 7 will be a "wondrous, fabulous" day to demonstrate that "we are equal in the sight of God, and the sight of the law as well".

Royston Jones Jr., Guardian Staff Reporter

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