Sweeping changes to the city voting system that have come into force will “create opportunities for people who’ve not had opportunities before”, said Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling.The Senate rubber-stamped the new system for elections in Hamilton and St George’s on Wednesday, giving all residents on the electoral register the right to vote, and abolishing multiple votes for business owners. The idea in principle was passed in the Municipalities Reform Act last summer, following a bitter public row between the Corporation of Hamilton and Government.Government said the old system was unfair, and biased in favour of a privileged minority of business people. The Mayor said he wanted both residents and businesses to have the right to vote as “the larger the franchise the better.”Outlining the new rules at a public meeting on Tuesday he told an audience of 19 city voters: “There are a huge number of changes there. On the whole I would say they are going to create opportunities for people who’ve not had opportunities before. “I would hope those now entitled to vote within the constituency will take advantage of that. It does create a strength in the value of your voice. You may have felt disenfranchised before, but now is your opportunity to play a role in the running of the city.”Giving an overview of some of the key changes, the Mayor explained:lProperty owners within the city can no longer vote in city elections, and neither can business ownerslAll city residents on the Parliamentary Register are eligible to vote in a municipal electionlFor the first time, absentee voting will be allowed one week prior to the electionlAnyone in Bermuda can stand as Mayor, Alderman or Councillor as long as their name is put forward by a city resident. The exceptions are Senators, MPs and members of the other municipality.Mr Gosling was quizzed by former Deputy Mayor of Hamilton Bill Black during a question and answer session. Mr Black said: “I’m a property owner in the city. Does this mean someone renting an apartment in the city, who doesn’t own a property, doesn’t run a business or own one, can vote?”Mr Gosling replied: “Yes, if they are on the Parliamentary list.”During the debate, Government Sen David Burch stated that Mr Gosling said he would resign from his post if the controversial Reform Act passed, adding: “He’s still there.”pMr Gosling responded that he never made such a comment, and has no intention of resigning over the matter. “I am at a loss at how anything I have said since the review of the Municipalities Act 1923 began that indicated I would resign,” he said.“If there is irrefutable evidence to the contrary, then I will stand by it. However, I am here to serve the residents, business owners and workers of Hamilton to the best of my ability, and I plan to serve out my tenure.”