1993 Eritrean independence referendum

1993 Eritrean independence referendum

23–25 April 1993
Do you approve that Eritrea should become an independent sovereign state?
Results
Yes   99.83% No   0.17%
Turnout: >98% (including tendered ballots), >93% (excluding tendered ballots)

Sign commemorating the 1993 Eritrean independence referendum

An independence referendum was held in Eritrea, at the time part of Ethiopia, between 23 and 25 April 1993. The result was 99.83% in favour, with a turnout in excess of 93%. ^[1] Independence from Ethiopia was declared on 27 April.

Conduct

The UN Observer Mission to Verify the Referendum in Eritrea (UNOVER) was established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 47/114 of 16 December 1992 and lasted until 25 April 1993. ^[2] The goals of the mission were to verify the impartiality of the referendum, report claims of irregularities, and verify the counting, computation and announcement of the results.

The referendum was completed under budget, ^[3] and was considered free and fair. ^[2]

Results

UN Report

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	1,098,015	99.83
No	1,825	0.17
Valid votes	1,099,840	99.97
Invalid or blank votes	323	0.03
Total votes	1,100,163	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	1,174,654
Source: United Nations Observer Mission to Verify the Referendum in Eritrea (UNOVER)

Referendum Commission of Eritrea

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	1,100,260	99.83
No	1,822	0.17
Valid votes	1,102,082	99.97
Invalid or blank votes	328	0.03
Total votes	1,102,410	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	1,173,706
Source: African Elections Database

By area

Area	For		Against		Invalid	Total
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Asmara	128,443	99.89	144	0.11	33	128,620
Barka	44,425	99.89	47	0.11	0	44,472
Denkalia	25,907	99.65	91	0.35	29	26,027
Gash-Setit	73,236	99.63	270	0.37	0	73,506
Hamasien	76,654	99.92	59	0.08	3	76,716
Akkele Guzay	92,465	99.84	147	0.16	22	92,634
Sahel	51,015	99.72	141	0.28	31	51,187
Semhar	33,596	99.66	113	0.34	41	33,750
Seraye	124,725	99.94	72	0.06	12	124,809
Senhit	78,513	99.97	26	0.03	1	78,540
Freedom fighters	77,512	99.97	21	0.03	46	77,579
Sudan	153,706	99.77	352	0.23	0	154,058
Ethiopia	57,466	99.65	204	0.35	36	57,706
Other	82,597	99.84	135	0.16	74	82,806
Total	1,100,260	99.83	1,822	0.17	328	1,102,410
Source: Eritrea: Birth of a Nation

See also

• Eritrean War of Independence

References

1. Elections in Eritrea Archived 21 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine African Elections Database
2. "Eritrea Birth of a Nation". Archived from the original on 28 October 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2006.
3. "United Nations Observer Mission to Verify the Referendum in Eritrea: Report of the Secretary-General". Forty-eighth session. New York City: United Nations. 11 August 1993.