Bahamians vote in referendum

NASSAU, Bahamas – Bahamians are voting in a referendum today on whether or not to legalise web-shop gambling and a national lottery following a campaign that mirrors a general election in the country.
The ruling Progressive Liberal party (PLP) of Prime Minister Perry Christie is urging voters to give his administration the nod to introduce the measure which it said would provide employment and significant revenue to The Bahamas.
But the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) wants voters to vote “No” accusing the government of having its priorities wrong.
National Security Minister Dr Bernard J. Nottage, the latest government minister to back the initiative, said that the result of the poll will be determined by a simple majority of the number of “Yes” versus the number of “No” votes for each question.
“As there are no candidates, there will be no election agents in this referendum. Instead, the regulations empower the Minister to appoint a maximum of three Local Observers per polling station with a view to ensuring the fairness of the process,” he said. (CMC)