The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said yesterday that he could not speak to the proposed constitutional referendum’s timeline as he reassured Bahamians that the government has not abandoned the idea.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dr Nottage said the Christie administration was still committed to holding the gender equality vote, although he had no new information to offer reporters on its progress.

When asked if the referendum will be held in June, which was Prime Minister Perry Christie’s latest self-imposed date, he said he could not speak to that either. He told The Tribune yesterday that he was expected to attend a meeting yesterday to discuss the referendum. Yesterday, Mr Christie told reporters he hoped to speak to the country very soon about the proposed referendum.

Dr Nottage said: “There has been no abandonment (by the government) that I am aware of and I promise you sincerely that when I have information for you I will give it to you. I really don’t have any new information at this time.”

He added: “I am in favour of it 1,000 per cent. It is still a priority for the government, nothing has changed.

“The government supports the constitutional referendum so any delays will not be because the government does not support.”

Dr Nottage went on to suggest that reporters in the country did not support the gender equality referendum, as he insisted several times that: “We just want y’all to support it.”

He also declined to respond to concerns that the vote would not happen in this current term.

Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney told The Tribune yesterday that holding the vote in June was “highly unlikely.”

The vote has been delayed four times.

The government has faced pushback to the proposed vote from members of the public and even some from its own party.

Marco City MP Greg Moss has said he would openly campaign against two of the constitutional referendum bills if they are passed in Parliament.