|
total countries/territories: 124
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/27
|
|
Albania
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/02
|
|
Algeria
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Articles 165, and 168 to 171, Electoral Law
|
2005/04/29
|
|
American Samoa
|
c. No
|
Source:
Filivaa M. Mageo, Deputy Director of Elections, Territorial Election Office
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Andorra
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/26
|
|
Anguilla
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/30
|
|
Argentina
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Armenia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Australia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2006/10/30
|
|
Austria
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Detailed regulations come under the law-making authority of the federal provinces and are to be laid down in the respective Provincial Constitution. They vary from province to province; an in-depth presentation of said provisions would exceed the scope of this questionnaire.
Source:
Provincial Constitutional Law (Austria numbers nine provinces = Länder, each with their own constitution).
|
2005/04/26
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
c. No
|
1.1.1. Referendum is defined in the Constitution as "voting of the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan on issues stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan."
Source:
Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 1.1.
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7885/file/Azerbaijan_Election_am2017_en.pdf
|
2022/02/07
|
|
Bahamas
|
c. No
|
Source:
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (CCB)
|
2006/11/15
|
|
Bahrain
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
The King may conduct a popular referendum on important laws and issues connected with the interests of the State. The issue on which the referendum has been held is considered to have been agreed upon if approved by a majority of those who cast their votes. The result of the referendum shall be binding on all and effective from the date it is declared and it shall be published in the Official Gazette
Source:
Article 43 of Constitution
|
2005/05/01
|
|
Bangladesh
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Belarus
|
d. Not applicable
|
Belarus is a unitary state
Source:
Art 1 Constitution
|
2005/03/25
|
|
Belgium
|
c. No
|
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
c. No
|
Source:
1981 Constitution, updated through 1988 reforms
|
2005/10/13
|
|
Benin
|
c. No
|
Source:
Mr Theodule Nouatchi, lecturer in law at the University of Benin (Cotonou).
Constitution, Articles 4 and 58.
|
2008/02/26
|
|
Bolivia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2006/10/31
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Law on Referendum from 1993 for Republika Srpska
|
2006/11/04
|
|
Botswana
|
c. No
|
c) Botswana is a unitary state.
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Bulgaria
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Law for referendums
|
2006/11/03
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/12
|
|
Cambodia
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/06
|
|
Canada
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
b) Referenda at the provincial and territorial level are conducted under respective provincial and territorial legislation. For further information, please see The Compendium of Election Administration in Canada at www.elections.ca.
|
2006/12/10
|
|
Cape Verde
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Chile
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Colombia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/05/26
|
|
Costa Rica
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/10/08
|
|
Croatia
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Mr. Damir Azenic, GONG
|
2005/11/14
|
|
Cyprus
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/28
|
|
Czech Republic
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
c. No
|
Source:
DOGOU ALAIN, Rapporteur de la sous commission des operations electorales de la COMMISSION ELECTORALE INDEPENDANTE
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Denmark
|
c. No
|
|
2015/06/12
|
|
Dominican Republic
|
c. No
|
Source:
2002 Constitution.
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Ecuador
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/25
|
|
Egypt
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Article 62, Constitution
Article 1, Political Rights Law
|
2005/05/17
|
|
El Salvador
|
c. No
|
Source:
1983 Constitution, updated to 2003 Reforms.
|
2007/09/26
|
|
Eritrea
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Eritrean referendum proclamation no. 22/1992
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Estonia
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/29
|
|
Ethiopia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/09/12
|
|
Finland
|
c. No
|
Finland has referendums only at national level or at local level.
Source:
The Constitution (731/1999)
Local Government act (365/1995)
|
2005/04/13
|
|
France
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 72-1;
General Code of Local Authorities, Art. LO1112-1 to LO1112-7
|
2012/05/03
|
|
Gambia
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/09
|
|
Georgia
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/04/13
|
|
Ghana
|
c. No
|
Source:
1992 Constitution
|
2005/12/14
|
|
Greece
|
c. No
|
|
2012/04/13
|
|
Guam
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Gerald A. Taitano, Executive Director, Guam Election Commission
|
2007/01/10
|
|
Hungary
|
c. No
|
|
2006/12/01
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
c. No
|
Source:
Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Iran (1989), Art. 59, 123 and 177 https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989.pdf
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
|
2016/01/23
|
|
Ireland
|
c. No
|
Source:
Official Website of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/Referenda/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1893,en.pdf (2012)
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
All regional councils can pass their own law regulating the referendum on regional matters.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 123
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Jamaica
|
c. No
|
Source:
1962 Constitution with reforms through 1999.
|
2005/10/14
|
|
Japan
|
c. No
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Jordan
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution
|
2005/05/01
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
c. No
|
The people shall exercise power directly through national referendum and free elections, as well as delegate the execution of their ability to state institutions.
Source:
Article 3, Constitution
|
2020/05/04
|
|
Kenya
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/30
|
|
Kiribati
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/03
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Local Referendum Act
|
2007/01/03
|
|
Latvia
|
c. No
|
Source:
Constitution, 1922; Law on National Referendums and Legislative Initiatives, 1994.
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Lebanon
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 76 to 79, Constitution
|
2005/05/17
|
|
Lesotho
|
c. No
|
In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source:
The 1993 Constitution
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Liberia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/09/30
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
d. Not applicable
|
In Liechtenstein, regional, state or provincial levels do not exist.
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Lithuania
|
c. No
|
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
Government levels in Macedonia consist of national level and municipalities only.
|
2020/04/23
|
|
Madagascar
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Report of the Secretary General on the Situation in Madagascar, done in Dakar, 9 June 2002
|
2005/08/25
|
|
Malawi
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Malaysia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Mali
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/06/03
|
|
Malta
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Art. 6 of the Referenda Act (Cap. 237)
|
2006/11/22
|
|
Mauritius
|
c. No
|
Questionnaire, Electoral Management Body
|
2007/06/01
|
|
Mexico
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Mexico is a federal state where each of the 31 states and the Federal District are free to adopt direct democracy instruments for their own jurisdictions. About a half of the states have established some form of DDI on an optional basis.
Source:
Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
|
2005/10/13
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
It has to our knowledge never been done but there should be no legal reasons for not being able to organise advisory referenda even on this level (counties – fylke, 19 all together)
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Morocco
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Article 109, Electoral Law
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Mozambique
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Namibia
|
c. No
|
Namibia is a unitary state.
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Netherlands
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/08/19
|
|
Niger
|
c. No
|
Source:
Articles 6, 49, 134, 135, 136, 137 de la consitution
|
2005/06/06
|
|
Norway
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
It has to our knowledge never been done but there should be no legal reasons for not being able to organise advisory referenda even on this level (counties – fylke, 19 all together)
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Palestine
|
d. Not applicable
|
Constitution not valid, only a draft. No provisions for DD in current laws.
Source:
Electoral Commission Palestine
|
2007/06/11
|
|
Panama
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Constitution: 151.
|
2007/10/01
|
|
Peru
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/08/24
|
|
Poland
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Act on all-national referendum of 14 March 2003
Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland No 57 of 2 April 2003
and
Mr. Henryk Bielski, specialist of the National Electoral Office
|
2006/12/25
|
|
Portugal
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 240
|
2012/04/20
|
|
Puerto Rico
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Romania
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Law on referendums, 2000, article 2 and 13-14.
|
2005/03/20
|
|
Russian Federation
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Act on Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum of 2002. N 67/ F3. Art. 12.(2).
|
2005/03/19
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Referendum can be held in the island of Nevis, with a two-thirds majority required.
An independence referendum was held in Nevis on 10 August 1998.
Source:
Political Database of the Americas
|
2020/04/20
|
|
Senegal
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Tanor Tandhiela Fall
|
2005/06/05
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
c. No
|
NOT PART OF SIERRA LEONE LAWS
|
2005/06/13
|
|
Singapore
|
c. No
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Slovakia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
The Constitution of the Slovak Republic (1992), Art. 67(1); The Act on self-administration of the higher regional units (2001), 15
|
2006/12/10
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
c. No
|
Source:
David Clark, Electoral Capacity Development Coordinator, Solomon Islands Election Commission
|
2007/01/09
|
|
Somalia
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
www.somalilandforum.com
|
2005/04/13
|
|
South Africa
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Spain
|
c. No
|
|
2012/04/18
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
c. No
|
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Sudan
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Article 66 and 128, Constitution and Electoral Law
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Swaziland
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Sweden
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
The county councils' and the municipalities' legal framework as regards direct democracy is jointly regulated in The Local Government Act (Swedish Code of Statutes 1991:900).
Source:
The Local Government Act, Chapter 5, Section 23
The Act on Municipal Referendums (Swedish Code of Statutes 1994:692)
|
2012/05/16
|
|
Switzerland
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Switzerland consists of 26 cantons which have different direct democracy instruments.
Source:
Legal sources: cf. Constitutions, Laws and Regulations of the 26 cantons. Links to the cantons: http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/schweiz/kantone/index.html.
Kaufmann, Bruno, et. al. (Ed.): Guidebook to Direct Democracy in Switzerland and Beyond, Amsterdam 2005 (cf. www.iri-europe.org), p. 132-135
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Taiwan
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2020/03/31
|
|
Thailand
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/01/12
|
|
Togo
|
c. No
|
Source:
Code electoral 2005 .Constitution 1992 modifiee en 2002 article 4 alinea 3 et Mr Mr Theodule Nouatchi enseignant de droit a l'universite au benin
|
2005/04/26
|
|
Tonga
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2021/09/15
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
c. No
|
Source:
1976 Constitution with reforms through 2000.
|
2015/05/22
|
|
Tunisia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Articles 2, 47 and 72 of Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Turkey
|
c. No
|
Source:
Art 175, 104 Constitution
Rumpf - Steinbach, op. cit, p. 871.
|
2015/06/01
|
|
Uganda
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Chapter 6 section 84 of the constitution
Groups refered to in section 78 of the constitution
|
2005/04/01
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
|
2012/05/09
|
|
United States of America
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
The constitutions of 24 states, the District of Columbia and many local and city governments provide for referendums.
Source:
https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/initiative-and-referendum-processes
|
2024/10/15
|
|
Uruguay
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/04/11
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2009/08/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Electoral Commission of Vanuatu
|
2016/01/27
|
|
Venezuela
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2006/04/07
|
|
Viet Nam
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
ss of 2016 A new Law on Referendum – one of the more prominent human rights-related laws in Vietnam -came into effect giving state authorities the right to call a referendum to gather public opinion on key issues.
The Law on Referendum has eight chapters with 52 articles. Under the new legislation, the National Assembly – Vietnam’s highest legislative body - has the right to call a referendum on key issues.
Source:
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-s-public-referendum-act-comes-into-effect-today-3429065.html
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Western Sahara
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Zambia
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
c. No
|
Source:
Maureen Nthabiseng Moloi, EISA
|
2007/01/07
|
