While stating that the process was smooth, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall admitted that there were a number of challenges preventing officials from reporting the results of the Constitutional Amendment Referendum.

Mr. Hall during a brief press conference at the Parliamentary Registry Department, Mr. Hall confirmed that Bahamians overwhelmingly rejected the four amendment bills that addressed gender equality.

While polls closed at 6:00 p.m. yesterday, up to 11:00 p.m. all of the votes in New Providence had not been counted.

Only Bamboo town, Elizabeth and Carmichael in New Providence had reported and each constituency rejected the bills.

Results had not been given for Exuma, Bimini, Long Island and Mayaguana.

Mr. Hall laid the blame of late reporting in New Providence – which holds 80 per cent of the country’s population – on a number of issues.

“I received reports that Montague were in darkness and have difficulty counting the ballots in darkness,” he said.

“This is typical of an election. You have votes to count on four questions and I’m sure that if you participated in this you would understand what they were going through.   My staff did a commendable job.

“We all had to do some gymnastics in cable and mechanisms and most of the faxes were down and so they had to communicate by cell phone.”

Mr. Hall also thanked his staff.

“I want to thank my entire staff, all of the administrators, poll workers who worked so hard at the highest level of national service and they ought to be commended for service to our country and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart that we were able to participate in this historic referendum 2016,” he said.

Mr. Hall said the official results will be published by June 9.