2024 Vanuatuan constitutional referendum

Last updated

A constitutional referendum was held in Vanuatu on 29 May 2024, [1] [2] the first time a referendum has been held in the country. [3] Voters were asked whether they approve of two proposed amendments to the constitution aimed at reducing instability within Parliament. The proposed amendments are accompanied by the passing of legislation regulating the functioning of political parties.

Contents

The referendum is mandated by article 86 of the constitution, which requires that any amendments related to the electoral system or parliamentary system must be approved in a national referendum after being passed by parliament. [4] The associated constitutional amendment bill was passed in December 2023 with 47 votes in favour and none against. [5]

The amendments to the constitution included: [6]

Both questions were voted on independently. [6]

Results

Article 17A

ChoiceVotes%
For53,80959.28
Against36,96840.72
Total90,777100.00
Valid votes90,77796.07
Invalid/blank votes3,7163.93
Total votes94,493100.00
Source: Vanuatu Electoral Office

Article 17B

ChoiceVotes%
For52,36457.98
Against37,94642.02
Total90,310100.00
Valid votes90,31096.18
Invalid/blank votes3,5823.82
Total votes93,892100.00
Source: Vanuatu Electoral Office

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Armenia</span>

The politics of Armenia take place in the framework of the parliamentary representative democratic republic of Armenia, whereby the president of Armenia is the head of state and the prime minister of Armenia the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the president and the Government. Legislative power is vested in both the Government and Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legislative Yuan</span> Unicameral national legislature of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China (Taiwan) located in Taipei. The Legislative Yuan is composed of 113 members, who are directly elected for four-year terms by people of the Taiwan Area through a parallel voting system.

A constitutional amendment is a modification of the constitution of a polity, organization or other type of entity. Amendments are often interwoven into the relevant sections of an existing constitution, directly altering the text. Conversely, they can be appended to the constitution as supplemental additions, thus changing the frame of government without altering the existing text of the document.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Parliament</span> Supreme unicameral legislature of New Zealand

The New Zealand Parliament is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the Sovereign (King-in-Parliament) and the New Zealand House of Representatives. The King is usually represented by his governor-general. Before 1951, there was an upper chamber, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The New Zealand Parliament was established in 1854 and is one of the oldest continuously functioning legislatures in the world. It has met in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, since 1865 and in its current building since 1922.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Council of Slovakia</span> Legislature of Slovakia

The National Council of the Slovak Republic is the national parliament of Slovakia. It is unicameral and consists of 150 members, who are elected by universal suffrage under proportional representation with seats distributed via largest remainder method with Hagenbach-Bischoff quota every four years.

A supermajority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level of support which is greater than the threshold of more than one-half used for a simple majority. Supermajority rules in a democracy can help to prevent a majority from eroding fundamental rights of a minority, but they can also hamper efforts to respond to problems and encourage corrupt compromises at times when action is taken. Changes to constitutions, especially those with entrenched clauses, commonly require supermajority support in a legislature. Parliamentary procedure requires that any action of a deliberative assembly that may alter the rights of a minority have a supermajority requirement, such as a two-thirds vote. In consensus democracy the supermajority rule is applied in most cases.

At a national level, Greece holds elections for its legislature, the Hellenic Parliament.

In Australia, referendums are public votes held on important issues where the electorate may approve or reject a certain proposal. In contemporary usage, polls conducted on non-constitutional issues are known as plebiscites, with the term referendum being reserved solely for votes on constitutional changes, which is legally required to make a change to the Constitution of Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italian Parliament</span> Legislature of Italy

The Italian Parliament is the national parliament of the Italian Republic. It is the representative body of Italian citizens and is the successor to the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sardinia (1848–1861), the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1943), the transitional National Council (1945–1946) and the Constituent Assembly (1946–1948). It is a bicameral legislature with 600 elected members and a small number of unelected members. The Italian Parliament is composed of the Chamber of Deputies, as well as the Senate of the Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Niger</span>

Elections in Niger take place within the framework of a semi-presidential system. The President and National Assembly are elected by the public, with elections organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Singapore</span> Legislature of Singapore

The Parliament of Singapore is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Singapore, which governs the country alongside the president of Singapore. Largely based upon the Westminster system, the Parliament is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected, as well as Non-constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) who are appointed. Following the 2020 general election, 93 MPs and two NCMPs from three political parties were elected to the 14th Parliament. Throughout the sitting of Parliament, nine NMPs are usually appointed by the president on a biennial basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mäjilis</span> Lower house in the Parliament of Kazakhstan

The Mäjilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, commonly referred to as Mäjilis or Mazhilis is the lower house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, alongside the upper house Senate. Together, they form the national bicameral legislature of Kazakhstan, responsible for enacting legislation. Established by the Constitution of Kazakhstan following the 1995 constitutional referendum, the Mäjilis was first convened in 1996. The chamber plays role in the legislative process, debating and passing laws, where lawmakers discuss key issues facing the country and propose solutions to address them by representing the interests of constituents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Tuvalu</span> Parliament

The Parliament of Tuvalu is the unicameral national legislature of Tuvalu. The place at which the parliament sits is called the Vaiaku maneapa. The maneapa on each island is an open meeting place where the chiefs and elders deliberate and make decisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landtag of Brandenburg</span> Legislature of the state of Brandenburg, Germany

The Landtag of Brandenburg is the unicameral legislature of the state of Brandenburg in Germany. Its 88 members of parliament are usually elected every 5 years.

Electoral reform is a change in electoral systems which alters how public desires are expressed in election results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Moldovan constitutional referendum</span>

A nationwide referendum was held in Moldova on 5 September 2010 on whether or not the country should amend the Constitution of Moldova to return to direct popular election of the president. Since 2001, the president had been indirectly elected by Parliament, with a supermajority of 61 seats required for election. The voters are asked to answer the following question: "Would you agree with the Constitutional amendment, which would allow the election of the President of the Republic of Moldova by the entire population?" Voters chose one of the proposed options: "Yes (for)" or "No (against)". Of those who had cast their vote, 87.83% chose "Yes". However, the referendum did not pass because only 30.29% of voters turned out, short of the necessary 33% for the referendum to be considered valid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Egyptian constitutional referendum</span>

A constitutional referendum was held in Egypt on 19 March 2011, following the 2011 Egyptian revolution. More than 14 million (77%) were in favour, while around 4 million (23%) opposed the changes; 41% of 45 million eligible voters turned out to vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Samoa</span>

The Constitution of Samoa is a written constitution which is the supreme law in Samoa. It establishes Samoa as a parliamentary republic with a Westminster system and responsible government. It outlines the structure and powers of the Samoan government's three parts: the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Armenian constitutional referendum</span>

A constitutional referendum was held in Armenia on 6 December 2015. Its amendments to the constitution put the country on a course from having a semi-presidential system to being a parliamentary republic, with the changes beginning to take place during the 2017–18 electoral cycle. The referendum passed with 66.2% of voters supporting it. Voter turnout was 50.8%, passing the 33% threshold to validate the results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Micronesian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in the Federated States of Micronesia on 5 March 2019, alongside a referendum on calling a Constitutional Convention. All 14 seats in Congress were up for election, and all 13 incumbents standing for re-election were returned to Congress.

References

  1. "Electoral Commission to use Simple Majority Rule for Referendum Vote Count: Kaltamat". Vanuatu Daily Post. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  2. "Vanuatu Electoral Commission to use simple majority rule for referendum vote count: Kaltamat". PINA. 8 February 2024.
  3. "Vanuatu plans first ever referendum over political reform laws". Asia Pacific Report.
  4. "Pacific news in brief for December 28". RNZ. 28 December 2023.
  5. "National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM". Islands Business. 18 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 Taylor, Wade (4 July 2019). "2024 National Referendum". Vanuatu Electoral Office. Retrieved 1 June 2024.

Ctageory:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results