2008 Ecuadorian constitutional referendum

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2008 Ecuadorian constitutional referendum
Flag of Ecuador.svg
28 September 2008

Do you approve the text of the new Political Constitution of the Republic prepared by the Constituent Assembly?
Ecuador referendum poster london sept 08.jpg
Poster aimed at the Ecuadorian diaspora in London
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes4,722,07368.91%
Light brown x.svgNo2,075,76430.29%
Blank votes55,0710.80%
Valid votes6,852,90892.77%
Invalid votes533,6847.23%
Total votes7,386,592100.00%
Registered voters/turnout9,754,88375.72%
Poster aimed at the Ecuadorian diaspora in London Ecuador referendum poster london sept 08.jpg
Poster aimed at the Ecuadorian diaspora in London

A constitutional referendum was held in Ecuador on 28 September 2008 to ratify or reject the constitution drafted by the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly elected in 2007. [1] The new constitution was approved by 69% of voters.

Contents

Following its approval, early elections were held in April 2009. [2]

Background

President Rafael Correa had initially stated he would resign if the constitution were rejected, but later stated he would finish his term.

A Cedatos/Gallup poll from May 2008 saw 41% in favour of the constitution draft, 31% against, and 28% not sure. [3] Another Cedatos/Gallup poll from June 2008 showed 37% support. [4]

Provisions include the right to healthcare, food, social security, and education as well as an emphasis on Latin American integration. The more controversial proposals include allowing a second four-year term for the president and legalising civil unions. [5]

Conduct

The EU sent an election observation team. [6]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For4,722,07369.46
Against2,075,76430.54
Total6,797,837100.00
Valid votes6,797,83792.03
Invalid/blank votes588,7557.97
Total votes7,386,592100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,754,88375.72
Source: Direct Democracy

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References

  1. Ecuador Assembly Approves Constitution Archived 2008-06-05 at the Wayback Machine Prensa Latina
  2. Assembly Defines Ecuador Transition Prensa Latina
  3. "Ecuadorians Assess Vote on New Constitution". Angus Reid Public Opinion. 2008-06-01. Archived from the original on 2012-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. Andres Pretel, Enrique; Soto, Alonso (2008-06-20). "New constitution set to bolster Ecuador's Correa". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  5. Ecuador's poor bank on referendum BBC News, 27 September 2008
  6. European Union sends Election Observation Mission to Ecuador Europa, 15 September 2008