Several days after Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney announced he will not vote in the gambling referendum, he declared yesterday that he will vote no.
McCartney initially said he was not going to vote because the referendum is an “illegal, flawed and non-binding process”.
“I have changed my mind,” he said in a statement. “The process, although not legal, will happen on the 28th of January.
“On the 29th of January, the government will have to take certain steps depending on the outcome of the vote. I still would like to see the process done properly and for the Bahamian people to know what they are voting for.
“I am not comfortable leaving it up to this government to do as they please. The actions and comments of this government for the past few months have again proven to me that this government cannot be trusted. I will be voting no. No.”
On Thursday, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced he too will vote no.
Ingraham, who also initially said he would not vote, encouraged voters to also vote no.
Ingraham said a march to Parliament on Wednesday led by web shop owners caused his change of heart.
McCartney said other issues drove him to change his position.
“In addition to the present process being illegal and flawed, we do not know how the government will go about legalizing web shop gaming and the national lottery if there is a yes vote,” he said.
“The government has left this crucial information for the Bahamian people to guess as to what will happen.
“They said, in essence that if there is a yes vote, they will let us know after what they will do. This is not good governance.
“And in light of the recent comments of the prime minister, I cannot give this government a blank check to do as they will with such an important issue.
“The government is saying in essence to the Bahamian people, just sign the document and we will tell you what the document is all about after you sign,” the DNA leader said.
McCartney said on several occasions that the referendum could face challenges following the vote and has encouraged the government to delay the vote.
“In my view, the Government of The Bahamas has been most wanting, irresponsible and perhaps one can say blatantly deceptive with the Bahamian people. In essence, they have in my view caused our country to be viewed in the international arena as inept.”
McCartney also took issue with Prime Minister Perry Christie’s attitude towards the implications of a no vote.
“When our prime minister stated that they are unable to fight against illegality, he confirms to the nation and the world that he cannot carry out the fundamental principle of governance… that is the protection of the people and upholding the rule of law,” he said.
“When the prime minister said that the actions of persons, who are committing an illegal act, march brazenly in Rawson Square, and he, the prime minister, calls it democracy, it would seem that our prime minister has truly lost his way.”
By: Krystel Rolle
Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
