1977 Nevis independence referendum

1977 Nevis independence referendum

18 August 1977 (1977-08-18)
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 4,193 99.67% No 14 0.33% Valid votes 4,207 99.69% Invalid or blank votes 13 0.31% Total votes 4,220 100.00%

An unofficial independence referendum was held in Nevis on 18 August 1977. ^[1] It was organised by the Nevis Reformation Party and sought for the island of Nevis to separate from St Kitts prior to independence and remain within the British Empire as a separate Crown colony, similar to Anguilla, which had seceded from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla in 1967.

Although 99.66% voting in favour, ^[1] the result was declared invalid by the national government.

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		4,193	99.67
Against		14	0.33
Total		4,207	100.00
Valid votes		4,207	99.69
Invalid/blank votes		13	0.31
Total votes		4,220	100.00
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

The constitution proclaimed at the independence of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983 contained Article 113, giving Nevis the right to unilaterally secede if a referendum resulted in a two-thirds majority. ^[1] A 1998 referendum resulted in 62% voting in favour of independence, but required a two-thirds majority in favour and did not succeed. ^[2]

References

1. Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis), 18 August 1977: Separation from St Kitts Direct Democracy (in English and German)
2. Corbett, Jack (2023-05-09), "Sovereignty" , Statehood à la Carte in the Caribbean and the Pacific (1 ed.), Oxford University PressOxford, pp. 35–78, doi:10.1093/oso/9780192864246.003.0002, ISBN   978-0-19-286424-6 , retrieved 2024-08-16