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A constitutional referendum was held in Mauritania and Senegal on 21 October 1945 as part of the wider French constitutional referendum. The first question on the new French National Assembly serving as a constituent assembly was approved by 99% of voters, but the temporary constitution proposed in the second question was rejected by 51% of voters. Both proposals were approved in the overall vote. Voter turnout was 60%. [1]
Do you agree that the assembly now elected will serve as a constituent assembly?
Choice | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
For | 25,772 | 98.73 | |
Against | 332 | 1.27 | |
Total | 26,104 | 100.00 | |
Valid votes | 26,104 | 97.65 | |
Invalid/blank votes | 628 | 2.35 | |
Total votes | 26,732 | 100.00 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 44,292 | 60.35 | |
Source: Sternberger et al. |
Do you agree that until the enforcement of a new Constitution, public affairs will be organised according to the proposal of the law which you find reproduced on the rear of the ballot?
Choice | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
For | 12,790 | 49.06 | |
Against | 13,280 | 50.94 | |
Total | 26,070 | 100.00 | |
Valid votes | 26,070 | 97.52 | |
Invalid/blank votes | 662 | 2.48 | |
Total votes | 26,732 | 100.00 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 44,292 | 60.35 | |
Source: Sternberger et al. |
A constitutional amendment is a modification of the constitution of a polity, organization or other type of entity. Amendments are often interwoven into the relevant sections of an existing constitution, directly altering the text. Conversely, they can be appended to the constitution as supplemental additions, thus changing the frame of government without altering the existing text of the document.
A constituent assembly is a body assembled for the purpose of drafting or revising a constitution. Members of a constituent assembly may be elected by popular vote, drawn by sortition, appointed, or some combination of these methods. Assemblies are typically considered distinct from a regular legislature, although members of the legislature may compose a significant number or all of its members. As the fundamental document constituting a state, a constitution cannot normally be modified or amended by the state's normal legislative procedures in some jurisdictions; instead a constitutional convention or a constituent assembly, the rules for which are normally laid down in the constitution, must be set up. A constituent assembly is usually set up for its specific purpose, which it carries out in a relatively short time, after which the assembly is dissolved. A constituent assembly is a form of representative democracy.
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A constitutional referendum was held in France on 5 May 1946. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new draft Constitution proposed by the Constituent Assembly elected in 1945.
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