Parliamentary registrar Tenia Woolridge warned voters yesterday not to forward potentially “misleading” voice notes and videos that were circulating regarding the referendum.

“The parliamentary registrar has been made aware that there are voice notes and videos being circulated on social media that appear to be misleading,” she said. “Voters are asked not to forward these messages to others as it is an offence under the Referendum Act 2012.

“The questions for this referendum have not changed and are straightforward questions. They are:

• Are you in favour of same sex marriage in Bermuda? and

• Are you in favour of same sex civil unions in Bermuda?

“The voter has an option of answering either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for each question by marking the appropriate box.”

Social media users, including Progressive Labour Party MP Diallo Rabain, also raised concerns about a voice note.

Mr Rabain wrote on Facebook: “To the person or group who has created that voice note to deliberately confuse voters today, shame on you.

“Do not be fooled. The questions are straightforward and you either vote yes or no to the questions. Please get out and vote and not be discouraged by this foolishness.”

The Royal Gazette heard the short voice note, which featured an unidentified woman saying: “Good morning ladies, I pray that God is blessing you this morning. If any of you intend to participate in the referendum, please read the ballot carefully. It is rigged in a way that you will vote opposite.

“You have to put an X on the yesses if you want to vote no. Please read the ballot carefully. I’ve just gone into the polling station and read it and someone else warned me that you must read it carefully. And so I am sure that there are a lot of people that have voted yes for this civil union and they meant to vote no. Have a wonderful day.”

The polls opened at 8am for the referendum on same-sex relationships and closed at 8pm.