Gambling wasn't the only hot topic yesterday.
As people headed for the polls, many Bahamians sounded off on rules imposed by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) on election day. According to "Part 6" of its code regulations, licensees are not permitted to broadcast any discussion or analysis of election or referendum issues on the day of the vote.
Licensees are also not allowed to broadcast the result or purported result of the voting in a constituency or electoral district before the close of all stations in that district.
The same blackout applies to the broadcast of opinion polls, political advertisements, political broadcasts, "or any other election programming produced by or on behalf of a candidate, political party or other person or entity" on election day.
The rules, partly intended so voters are not swayed on election day, stand in stark contrast to the status quo in other westernized nations. In North America or Europe, for example, it is often commonplace to provide intensive coverage and analysis of elections right up until the results.
Here in The Bahamas, local media struggled for words yesterday as the nation focused on the much-anticipated gambling referendum.
"I'm aware of the rules and I think it is anti-democratic," said Ethric Bowe, an entrepreneur and radio broadcaster.
"It's all about control. In my view, in a democracy, outside of pressuring people, you are allowed your opinion until the last minute. How many people will really be swayed at the last minute? If that can happen, then there is something wrong with the concept of democracy."
Bowe told Guardian Business that the country should revisit URCA's rules and determine whether it impairs the democratic process.
Dionisio D'Aguilar, the president of Superwash, disagreed that the broadcasting blackout on election day is detrimental. He felt election coverage, such as the recent gambling referendum, tends to be "a little overbearing".
"Overall, I think it's too much, so I don't mind one day without it. A bit of regulation is fine, if it's one day every five years," he told Guardian Business.
Rick Lowe, vice president of The Nassau Institute, a local think-tank, said that URCA "should definitely get rid of it".
While he agreed that media and broadcasting can often be biased, he said that Bahamians should nevertheless be allowed to disseminate diverse information and make their own decisions.
"They don't want people to be intimidated one way or another. That is today's reasoning," he said. "I think it is now just preventing free speech."
Bahamian entrepreneur Graham Weatherford went so far as to say it's a "regressive" and "undemocratic" policy. He agreed with Lowe that it ultimately comes down to the individual.
Weatherford said URCA's policy ends up being a "gag order" that prevents Bahamians from broadcasting opinions on a crucial day.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian