1940 Paraguayan constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Paraguay on 4 August 1940. ^[1] It saw voters approve the new constitution. ^[1]

Background

In 1939, amid a political stalemate, President José Félix Estigarribia dissolved Congress and assumed "temporary" dictatorial powers. The following year, he issued a new constitution. The key institution was a "strong, but not despotic" president who was vested with sweeping powers to suspend civil liberties and take actions that he deemed necessary for the good of the state. The Senate was abolished and the Chamber of Representatives limited in power. A new, corporatist-inspired Council of State was created to represent interests in business, farmers, bankers, the military, and the Roman Catholic Church. ^{[2] [3]}

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For			92.4
Against			7.6
Total
Registered voters/turnout			80
Source: Direct Democracy

References

1. Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p428 ISBN   978-0-19-928358-3
2. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .Thomas C. Bruneau (December 1988). "Constitutional Development". In Hanratty, Dannin; Meditz, Sandra W. (eds.). Paraguay: A country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN   89600299.
3. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .Richard S. Sacks (December 1988). "Historical Setting". In Hanratty, Dannin; Meditz, Sandra W. (eds.). Paraguay: A country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN   89600299.