|
total countries/territories: 118
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/27
|
|
Albania
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/02
|
|
Algeria
|
d. Not applicable
|
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
|
|
Austria
|
c. No
|
|
2005/04/26
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/30
|
|
Bahamas
|
c. No
|
Source:
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (CCB)
|
2006/11/15
|
|
Bahrain
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Article 43 of Constitution
|
2005/05/01
|
|
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.
|
2005/10/14
|
|
Benin
|
c. No
|
Source:
Mr Theodule Nouatchi, student of Law at the University of Benin.
Internal regulations for the National Assembly, Article 121.
|
2008/02/26
|
|
Botswana
|
c. No
|
c) Botswana is a unitary state.
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Bulgaria
|
c. No
|
|
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) Only British Columbia has legal provisions for recalls and citizens’ initiatives. 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
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Colombia
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2005/05/26
|
|
Costa Rica
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/10/08
|
|
Croatia
|
a. Yes, in all 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
|
d. Not applicable
|
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
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Ambos por iniciativa popular y, por iniciativa del Consejo Provincial o del Consejo Cantonal, con el voto de las 3/4 partes de sus integrantes
|
2005/04/25
|
|
Egypt
|
c. No
|
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
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
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
|
c. No
|
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
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/29
|
|
Germany
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2021/11/29
|
|
Ghana
|
d. Not applicable
|
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
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Hungary
|
c. No
|
|
2006/12/01
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2016/01/23
|
|
Iraq
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Jose Maria Aranaz, Legal Advisor, UN-EAD
|
2007/01/03
|
|
Ireland
|
c. No
|
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
b. Yes, in some 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
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Local Authority law, article 74 (1-4)
Local Authority law, article 13 (1-3)
Local Authority law, article 244-4 (1-6)
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Jordan
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution
|
2005/05/01
|
|
Kenya
|
c. No
|
|
2006/11/30
|
|
Kiribati
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/03
|
|
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
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
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
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not provided for in law
|
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
|
|
Mexico
|
c. No
|
Source:
Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
|
2005/10/13
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Morocco
|
d. Not applicable
|
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
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/08/19
|
|
Norway
|
c. No
|
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Palestine
|
d. Not applicable
|
No provisions for DD in current laws.
|
2007/06/11
|
|
Panama
|
c. No
|
|
2005/10/25
|
|
Peru
|
c. No
|
|
2005/08/24
|
|
Philippines
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Art. X, Sec. 3, Constitution
|
2005/07/08
|
|
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
|
c. No
|
|
2012/04/20
|
|
Puerto Rico
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Romania
|
c. No
|
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
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not applicable.
|
2020/04/20
|
|
Senegal
|
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
|
Source:
Tanor Tandhiela Fall
|
2005/06/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
d. Not applicable
|
There are no initiatives in the country
|
2005/03/23
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
c. No
|
NOT PART OF SIERRA LEONE LAWS
|
2005/06/13
|
|
Singapore
|
c. No
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Slovakia
|
c. No
|
|
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
|
|
2006/11/23
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Sudan
|
d. Not applicable
|
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 havr 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
|
|
Togo
|
c. No
|
Source:
Code electoral 2005 .Constitution 1992 modifiee en 2002 article 4 alinea 3 et 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
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 2, 47 and 72 of Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Turkey
|
c. No
|
Source:
Rumpf - Steinbach, op. cit
|
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
|
c. No
|
|
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 and citizens' initiative.
Source:
https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/initiative-and-referendum-processes
|
2024/10/15
|
|
Uruguay
|
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
|
|
2006/04/12
|
|
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
|
d. Not applicable
|
no available data
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Western Sahara
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
d. Not applicable
|
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
|
