1996 Lithuanian referendum

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A four-part referendum was held in Lithuania on 20 October 1996 alongside the first round of parliamentary elections. [1] Voters were asked whether they approved of three amendments to the constitution and whether money from the sale of state property should be used to compensate those who lost their Soviet-era savings due to inflation. [2] The three constitutional amendments would reduce the number of members of the Seimas, fix the date for elections to be in the spring, and to reserve at least 50% of government expenditure to social spending. [2]

Lithuania Republic in Northeastern Europe

Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. Lithuania is considered to be one of the Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, to the east of Sweden and Denmark. It is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Kaliningrad Oblast to the southwest. Lithuania has an estimated population of 2.8 million people as of 2019, and its capital and largest city is Vilnius. Other major cities are Kaunas and Klaipėda. Lithuanians are Baltic people. The official language, Lithuanian, along with Latvian, is one of only two living languages in the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family.

1996 Lithuanian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Lithuania in two stages on 20 October and 10 November 1996. All 141 seats in the Seimas were up for election; 70 based on proportional party lists and 71 in single member constituencies. Where no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote on 20 October, a run-off was held on 10 November.

Constitution of Lithuania

The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania defines the legal foundation for all laws passed in the Republic of Lithuania. It was approved in a referendum on 25 October 1992.

Contents

Although all four were approved by at least 76% of those casting valid votes, voter turnout was only 52-53%, meaning that the threshold of 50% of all registered voters voting in favour was not passed, and the referendums failed. [2]

Results

Constitutional amendment on reducing the number of members of the Seimas

ChoiceVotes%
For879,72777.9
Against238,63521.1
Invalid/blank votes224,691
Total1,353,448100
Registered voters/turnout2,597,53052.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Constitutional amendment on fixing the election date in spring

ChoiceVotes%
For860,46576.2
Against252,91622.4
Invalid/blank votes224,691
Total1,353,448100
Registered voters/turnout2,597,53052.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Constitutional amendment on social spending

ChoiceVotes%
For858,67076.1
Against257,30322.8
Invalid/blank votes224,691
Total1,353,448100
Registered voters/turnout2,597,53052.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Using the proceeds of privatisation to compensate savers

ChoiceVotes%
For1,012,49779.5
Against260,20720.5
Invalid/blank votes89,630
Total1,362,573100
Registered voters/turnout2,597,53052.5
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

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References

  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1201 ISBN   978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. 1 2 3 Nohlen & Stöver, p1211