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2016 Grenadian constitutional referendum

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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]

Proposed amendments

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The seven proposed amendments were:

  1. The Caribbean Court of Justice becomes the final court of appeal (as opposed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London); 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 from "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

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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]

Results

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Question For Against Invalid/
blank 		Total
votes 		Registered
voters 		Turnout
Votes % Votes %
Caribbean Court of Justice and other Justice-related matters 9,639 43.27 12,635 56.73 903 23,177 71,241 32.53
Elections and Boundaries Commission 8,944 40.32 13,239 59.68 989 23,172 32.53
Ensuring the appointment of Leader of the Opposition 6,116 28.22 15,556 71.78 1,492 23,164 32.51
Fixed date for Elections 7,089 32.78 14,536 67.22 1,545 23,170 32.52
Name of State 9,694 43.71 12,485 56.29 1,002 23,181 32.54
Rights and Freedoms 5,067 23.62 16,388 76.38 1,703 23,158 32.51
Term of Office of Prime Minister 5,396 26.07 15,301 73.93 2,442 23,139 32.48
Source: PEO

References

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  1. ^ Grenada announces new date for controversial referendum Archived 2016-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Jamaica Observer, 21 October 2016
  2. ^ Public Statement by Supervisor of Elections Now Grenada, 28 September 2016
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Give us Barrabas: on the planned and unjustified crucifixion of Bill 6". Groundation Grenada. groundationgrenada.com. 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 25 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.
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