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Direct Democracy

Bhutan Bhutan

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The will of the people shall be expressed in a National Referendum. A simple majority of the total number of votes cast and counted shall be required for the referendum to be adopted.
Source: Constitution of Bhutan, Article 34: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments: There are several legal provisions for initiating a National Referendum, but none specify conditions that would make it mandatory.
Source: Constitution of Bhutan, Article 34: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008 National Referendum Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NationalReferendumActEnglish.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: 4. A National Referendum may be initiated: (a) On the Command of His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo if He deems a Bill is of national importance but has not been passed in a joint sitting of Parliament; (b) If a petition on issue of national significance is made by not less than 50% of the total number of members of all Dzongkhag Tshogdues; or (c) By Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution Article 34: The Druk Gyalpo may command a National Referendum if: In His opinion a Bill, which is not passed in a joint sitting of Parliament, is of national importance; or An appeal is made by not less than fifty percent of the total number of members of all Dzongkhag Tshogdues.
Source: National Referendum Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, Article 4: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NationalReferendumActEnglish.pdf Constitution of Bhutan, Article 34 (2): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: c. No information available
Comments:
Source: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=26&database_theme=309 Constitution of Bhutan: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=26&database_theme=309 Constitution of Bhutan: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments: There are no legal provisions for recall, but the removal of elected officials is carried out through impeachment procedures initiated by the Parliament.
Source: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=26&database_theme=309 Constitution of Bhutan: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: a. Always binding
Comments: The will of the people shall be expressed in a National Referendum. A simple majority of the total number of votes cast and counted shall be required for the referendum to be adopted. The results of a National Referendum shall be binding on all organs of the government, public and private entities. The decision of a National Referendum must be implemented on being approved in the National Referendum.
Source: National Referendum Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, Article 60-61: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NationalReferendumActEnglish.pdf Constitution of Bhutan, Article 34: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD130


Question:Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer: c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: A National Referendum shall be organized to provide an opportunity for the people of Bhutan to have their say on proposed laws, issue of national significance or amendment to the Constitution.
Source: National Referendum Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 Article 3: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NationalReferendumActEnglish.pdf Constitution of Bhutan, Article 34: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: c. No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Bhutan: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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