Grenadian constitutional referendum, 2016

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A constitutional referendum was held in Grenada on 24 November 2016. [1] Voters were asked whether they approved of seven amendments, with each one voted on separately. [2] The amendments would only have been approved if two-thirds of valid votes had been cast in favour. [3] However, all seven proposals were rejected by voters. It was the first referendum in Grenada's history. [4]

Grenada country in the Caribbean

Grenada is a country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain. Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself plus six smaller islands which lie to the north of the main island. It is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its size is 348.5 square kilometres (134.6 sq mi), and it had an estimated population of 107,317 in 2016. Its capital is St. George's. Grenada is also known as the "Island of Spice" due to its production of nutmeg and mace crops, of which it is one of the world's largest exporters. The national bird of Grenada is the critically endangered Grenada dove.

Contents

Proposed amendments

The seven proposed amendments were:

  1. The Caribbean Court of Justice becomes the final court of appeal (as opposed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom); renaming the Supreme Court of Grenada and the West Indies Associated States as the "Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court"; introducing a code of conduct for civil servants; changing the oath of allegiance so that allegiance is sworn to Grenada instead of the Queen. [3] (CCJ and Other Justice Related Matters)
  2. Creation of an Elections and Boundaries Commission to replace the Constituency Boundaries Commission and the Supervisor of Elections. [3] (Elections and Boundaries Commission)
  3. Allow the leader of the party with the most votes to be appointed Leader of the Opposition and to sit in the House of Representatives if the second-placed party fails to win a seat in a general election. [3] (Ensuring a Leader of the Opposition)
  4. Introduce fixed dates for elections, with the caveat that a vote of no confidence may trigger an early election. [3] (Fixed Date for Elections)
  5. Changing the official name of the State of Grenada to "Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique". [3] (Name of State)
  6. An expansion of the list of fundamental rights and freedoms. [3] (Rights and Freedoms)
  7. Limiting the Prime Minister to three consecutive terms in office. [3] (Term of Office of Prime Minister)

Campaign

The proposed amendments were supported by the governing New National Party headed by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, [5] as well as the Grenada National Organisation of Women and Groundation Grenada NGOs. [6] [7] The National Democratic Congress opposed the reforms, [8] as did the Alliance Evangelical Churches. [9]

The New National Party is a conservative political party in Grenada. It is led by the current Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell.

Keith Mitchell Grenadian politician

Keith Claudius Mitchell is a Grenadian politician who has been Prime Minister of Grenada since 2013; previously he served as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2008. He is the longest serving Prime Minister Grenada has ever had, holding the office for almost 19 years. He is currently leader of the New National Party (NNP) and was Leader of the Opposition in Parliament from 2008 to 2013.

National Democratic Congress (Grenada) political party in Grenada

The National Democratic Congress is a liberal centre-left political party in Grenada. It was the governing party in Grenada from 2008 to 2013 and previously from 1990 to 1995. Nazim Burke is the party leader.

Results

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
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Total
votes
Registered
voters
Turnout
Votes%Votes%
Caribbean Court of Justice and other Justice-related matters9,63943.2712,63556.7390323,17771,24132.53
Elections and Boundaries Commission8,94440.3213,23959.6898923,17232.53
Ensuring the appointment of Leader of the Opposition6,11628.2215,55671.781,49223,16432.51
Fixed date for Elections7,08932.7814,53667.221,54523,17032.52
Name of State9,69443.7112,48556.291,00223,18132.54
Rights and Freedoms5,06723.6216,38876.381,70323,15832.51
Term of Office of Prime Minister5,39626.0715,30173.932,44223,13932.48
Source: PEO

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References

  1. Grenada announces new date for controversial referendum Jamaica Observer, 21 October 2016
  2. Public Statement by Supervisor of Elections Now Grenada, 28 September 2016
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fact Sheet: Grenada Constitution Reform Now Grenada, 19 September 2016
  4. Referendum Grenada Parliamentary Elections Office
  5. "National Address By Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell". NOW Grenada. 22 November 2016.
  6. "Grenada National Organisation Of Women Supports The Human Rights Constitutional Amendment BIill". Real FM Grenada. drealfmgrenada.com. 15 September 2016.
  7. "Give us Barrabas: on the planned and unjustified crucifixion of Bill 6". Groundation Grenada. groundationgrenada.com. 23 November 2016.
  8. "NDC Says No To Constitution Reform". NOW Grenada. 3 December 2015.
  9. "GrenCHAP Statement to the Alliance of Evangelical Churches Inc. Grenada". NOW Grenada. nowgrenada.com. 20 October 2016.