1977 Nevis independence referendum

An unofficial independence referendum was held in Nevis on 18 August 1977.^[1] It was organised by the Nevis Reformation Party and sought for the island of Nevis to separate from St Kitts prior to independence and remain within the British Empire as a separate Crown colony, similar to Anguilla, which had seceded from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla in 1967.

Although 99.66% voting in favour,^[1] the result was declared invalid by the national government.

Results


Choice	Votes	%
For	4,193	99.67
Against	14	0.33
Total	4,207	100.00

Valid votes	4,207	99.69
Invalid/blank votes	13	0.31
Total votes	4,220	100.00
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

The constitution proclaimed at the independence of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983 contained Article 113, giving Nevis the right to unilaterally secede if a referendum resulted in a two-thirds majority.^[1] A 1998 referendum resulted in 62% voting in favour of independence, but required a two-thirds majority in favour and did not succeed.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis), 18 August 1977: Separation from St Kitts Direct Democracy (in English and German)
^ Corbett, Jack (2023-05-09), "Sovereignty", Statehood à la Carte in the Caribbean and the Pacific (1 ed.), Oxford University PressOxford, pp. 35–78, doi:10.1093/oso/9780192864246.003.0002, ISBN 978-0-19-286424-6, retrieved 2024-08-16

[DD-1] Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis), 18 August 1977: Separation from St Kitts Direct Democracy (in English and German)

[2] Corbett, Jack (2023-05-09), "Sovereignty", Statehood à la Carte in the Caribbean and the Pacific (1 ed.), Oxford University PressOxford, pp. 35–78, doi:10.1093/oso/9780192864246.003.0002, ISBN 978-0-19-286424-6, retrieved 2024-08-16

[1]

[2]