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A referendum on the formation of the United Arab Republic and appointing Gamal Abdel Nasser as its president was held in Syria on 21 February 1958, [1] alongside a simultaneous referendum in Egypt. The formation of the UAR was approved of voters, with only 139 voting against, [2] whilst Nasser was approved as president by a similar margin.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 1,312,859 | 100 |
| Against | 139 | 0.0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | |
| Total | 1,312,998 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,431,060 | 91.75 |
| Source: Direct Democracy | ||
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 1,312,808 | 99.99 |
| Against | 190 | 0.0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | |
| Total | 1,312,998 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,431,060 | 91.75 |
| Source: Direct Democracy | ||
A four-part constitutional referendum was held in Ukraine on 16 April 2000. The referendum was called by President Leonid Kuchma, and asked voters whether they approved of four amendments to the constitution that would increase the powers of the President and introduce an upper chamber.
The Federation of Arab Republics was an unsuccessful attempt by Muammar Gaddafi to merge Libya, Egypt and Syria in order to create a unified Arab state. Although approved by a referendum in each country on 1 September 1971, the three countries disagreed on the specific terms of the merger. The federation lasted from 1 January 1972 to 19 November 1977.
The Constitution of Egypt has passed over a long period of evolution from the liberal constitution of 1923 to the contemporary constitution.
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 24 September 2000. The proposal to reduce the mandate of the President from seven years to five years was approved by 73.2% of those who voted, but turnout was just 30.2%.
A referendum on the enlargement of the European Communities (EC) was held in France on 23 April 1972. Voters were asked whether they approved of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom joining the EC, although Norway later voted in its own referendum not to join. The proposals were approved by 68.3% of voters, with a turnout of 60.2%.
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.
A referendum on self-determination for Algeria was held in France on 8 January 1961. Self-determination was approved by 75% of voters overall and 70% in Algeria. Voter turnout was 92%. The referendum question was worded as follows:
"Approuvez-vous le projet de loi soumis au peuple français par le président de la République et concernant l'autodétermination des populations algériennes et l'organisation des pouvoirs publics en Algérie avant l'autodétermination ?"
"Do you approve the bill submitted to the French people by the President of the Republic and concerning the self-determination of the populations of Algeria and the organization of the public authorities in Algeria prior to self-determination?"
A referendum on creating the post of President of Russia was held in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on 17 March 1991. The referendum was held alongside a referendum of the preservation of USSR. Prior to the referendum, the Russian head of state was the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR, elected by the Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian SFSR. With 71.4% of voters approving the proposal, the post of President of the Russian SFSR was introduced, and two months later Boris Yeltsin was elected as the first president.
A double referendum was held in Poland on 18 February 1996. One question concerned enfranchisement, whilst the others concerned state property. The first proposition was ordered by the President, whilst the others were created on the basis of resolution made by Sejm. All except one were approved by over 90% of voters. However, voter turnout was just 32%, well below the 50% threshold required to make the results valid.
A double referendum was held in Egypt on 23 June 1956. The two issues were the candidacy of Gamal Abdel Nasser for the presidency and a new constitution. Both were approved, with the official figures showing 99.9% in favour of Nasser's candidacy and 99.8% in favour of the constitution.
A referendum on the creation of the United Arab Republic was held in Egypt on 21 February 1958, alongside a simultaneous referendum in Syria. The referendum consisted of two questions; one on the formation of the UAR, and the other on Gamal Abdel Nasser's candidacy for the post of President of the UAR. Both were approved, with fewer than 300 votes against and a 98.1% voter turnout.
Parliamentary elections were held in Egypt on 3 July 1957, having originally been scheduled for November 1956, but postponed due to the Suez Crisis. They were the first elections since the 1952 revolution, which saw King Farouk overthrown, the Republic of Egypt established and the approval of a new constitution in a June 1956 referendum.
Presidential elections were held in the United Arab Republic on 15 October 1970, following the death of the incumbent Gamal Abdel Nasser on 15 January of the same year. The election took the form of a referendum on the candidacy of vice president and acting president Anwar El Sadat. According to the official results, 90% of voters voted in favor of Sadat, with a turnout of 85%.
An independence referendum was held in the Armenia SSR on 21 September 1991 to determine whether to secede from the Soviet Union. It followed a declaration of independence on 23 August 1990. 99.5% of voters voted in favour, with a turnout of 95%. The country officially became an independent state on 23 September 1991.
A constitutional referendum was held in South Korea on 21 November 1972. President Park Chung-hee had suspended the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly in October. Work began almost immediately on a new constitution. The finished product, the Yushin Constitution, was a severely authoritarian document that dramatically expanded the president's powers and allowed him to run for an unlimited number of six-year terms. For all intents and purposes, the document concentrated all governing power in Park's hands.
A referendum on a new constitution was held in Puerto Rico on 3 March 1952. It was approved by 81.9% of voters. This was considered by many U.S. and Puerto Rican politicians an affirmation of the new constitution of the island as an Estado Libre Associado, or Commonwealth, as proposed by legislation in 1950 by the United States Congress after negotiation with its political leaders. Puerto Rican nationalists question the meaning of the referendum, complaining that the only alternative offered was direct U.S. rule, and no choice of independence was offered. In 1980, the Supreme Court of the United States adjudicated that as a result of this referendum of 1952, the actual territorial status was not changed at all.
A consultative constitutional referendum was held in Moldova on 23 May 1999. It was initiated by President Petru Lucinschi and asked voters whether they approved of changing the system of government to a presidential system. The proposal was approved by 64% of voters. However, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova and the Alliance for Democracy and Reforms opposed Lucinschi, and were able to vote several constitutional changes through parliament on 5 July 2000. The changes reduced the powers of the president and strengthened the parliament and government.
Two referendums were held in Switzerland in 1887. The first was held on 15 May, asking voters whether they approved of a federal law on spirits, and was approved by 65.9% of voters. The second was held on 10 July, asking voters whether they approved of an amendment made to article 64 of the federal constitution, and was approved by 77.9% of voters and 20.5 cantons.
Fourteen referendums were held in Switzerland in 1977. The first three were held on 13 March on popular initiatives on foreign infiltration, limiting naturalisation and changing the rules on referendums on treaties. All three were rejected, whilst the counter-proposal was approved. The next two were held on 12 June on changes to sales tax and direct federal taxation (rejected) and on tax harmonisation (approved).
Fifteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 1992. The first two were held on 16 February on popular initiatives "for a financially bearable health insurance" and "for the drastic and stepwise limitation of animal experiments." Both were rejected by voters. The next seven were held on 17 May on joining and contributing to the Bretton Woods system, a federal law on water protection (approved), a popular initiative "for the recovery of our waters" (rejected), a federal resolution on the popular initiative "against the malpractice of gene technology on humans" (approved), a federal resolution on creating a civilian service alternative to military service (approved) and a change to the Strafgesetzbuch and the Military and Penal Codes on sexual integrity (approved).
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| Referendums | |
