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Direct Democracy

Panama Panama

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 151, 313 (2), 314, 325: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 485–511: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: a. Yes
Comments: Some constitutional amendments and international Panama Canal-related agreements must be approved by referendum.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 313 (2), 325: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 485–487, 509: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Recalls are requested by, at least, 30% of the voters registered in the Electoral Roll of the corresponding electoral district in the corresponding election. Political parties can include that the corresponding citizens vote to enforce the recall of those who were nominated by them. For recalls to be binding, at least 50% of the registered voters must vote.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 151: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 491, 492, 493–497: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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:
Source: Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 486, 497: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: -Constitutional reforms. -Panama Canal-related treaties and agreements.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 313 (2), 325: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 485, 487: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
Verified: 2024/12/05
(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: a. Yes
Comments: The merging of municipalities, municipal citizen initiatives and referendums, and recall of municipal authorities.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 151, 238, 239: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004 Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 498–508: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/ Official Website of the Electoral Tribunal: http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/html/index.php?id=73
Verified: 2024/12/05
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.