|
total countries/territories: 114
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Albania
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Self-government in the local units is exercised through their representative organs and local referenda. The principles and procedures for the organization of local referenda are provided by law in accordance with article 151, paragraph 2.
Source:
art 108 Constitution
|
2005/03/17
|
|
Algeria
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/26
|
|
Anguilla
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/30
|
|
Argentina
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Armenia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Austria
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
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 municipalities/districts/communes
|
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
|
|
Belarus
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
|
2005/03/25
|
|
Belgium
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Law of Communities (Art. 318 - 329)
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
c. No
|
Source:
1981 Constitution, updated through 1988 reforms.
|
2005/10/14
|
|
Benin
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Article 108 (General and common principles)
1. The electors registered in the electoral census in the national territory shall have the right to pronounce themselves through a referendum on any matter relevant to national or local interest.
Article 110 (Local Referendum)
1. The local referendum shall cover matters that are of exclusive competence of the organs of local administration and shall always have deliberative effect.
2. The local referendum shall be convened by the Mayor at the initiative of the Municipality, the Municipal Assembly or, at the initiative of, at least, ten percent of the electors registered in the electoral census of the area of the local administration where the consultation takes place.
3. The convening of a referendum shall be approved by the majority of two thirds of the members of the Municipal Assembly on active duty.
Source:
Constitution of Cape Verde, Aritcle 108 and 110
|
2008/02/26
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Law on Local Self-Government
|
2006/11/04
|
|
Botswana
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Bulgaria
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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 municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2006/12/10
|
|
Cape Verde
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
C:ChII:108 "1. The electors registered in the electoral census in the national territory shall have the right to pronounce themselves through a referendum on any matter relevant to national or local interest. 2. The convening and the holding of a referendum shall be prohibited between the date of the convening and the holding of the elections for the organs of sovereignty or of local power, during the state of siege or emergency and until thirty days following its cessation, and in the latter case, only in the part of the territory declared to be under the state of emergency. 3. Each referendum shall only have a sole question as its object and the following questions shall not, in any case, be submitted to popular scrutiny: a) Separation and the interdependence of the organs of sovereignty and their powers; b) Independence of the courts and their decisions; c) Separation of churches from the State; d) Appointment of the elected holders of the organs of sovereignty and of local administration by universal, direct, secret and periodic ballot; e) Pluralism of expression, existence of political parties and associations and rights of the opposition; f) Rights, liberties and guarantees established constitutionally; g) National or local acts which have a budgetary, tributary or financial content; h) Autonomy of the local administration, as well as the organization and competence of their organs. 4. The proposals for a referendum shall be subject to preventive monitoring of their constitutionality and legality. 5. Once the proposal for a referendum is judged to be unconstitutional or illegal, such referendum shall not take place, nor shall the proposal be renewed in the same legislature. 6. Proposals for a referendum that have been refused by the competent organ or that have been the object of a negative response from the electorate shall not be renewed in the same legislature. 7. The result of a referendum shall be abided by all organs of political power, as well as by public and private entities. 8. The provisions of Articles 102 to 105 shall be applicable to the referenda, with the necessary adaptations. 9. The questions to be submitted to the electors shall be formulated with simplicity, objectivity, precision and clarity, in such a way as not to suggest, directly or indirectly, any response. Any response shall be given as a "yes" or a "nay."
C:ChII:110 "1. The local referendum shall cover matters that are of exclusive competence of the organs of local administration and shall always have deliberative effect. 2. The local referendum shall be convened by the Mayor at the initiative of the Municipality, the Municipal Assembly or, at the initiative of, at least, ten percent of the electors registered in the electoral census of the area of the local administration where the consultation takes place. 3. The convening of a referendum shall be approved by the majority of two thirds of the members of the Municipal Assembly on active duty."
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde, Chapter II, articles 108 and 110
|
2006/11/28
|
|
Chile
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Colombia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/06/24
|
|
Croatia
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Mr. Damir Azenic, GONG
|
2005/11/14
|
|
Cyprus
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Law 86(I)/1999 regulating the communities
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Act No. 22/2004 Coll.
|
2006/11/28
|
|
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
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
b) There are no formal regulations; provisions for referendums vary from commune to commune.
|
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 municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Article 62, Constitution
Article 1, Political Rights Law
|
2005/05/17
|
|
Eritrea
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Eritrean referendum proclamation no. 22/1992
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Estonia
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Local Government Council Organisation Act, art. 15(2)
|
2006/11/29
|
|
Finland
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Local Government Act (365/1995) 30 and 31 §
Act of administrating a consultative referendum at local level (656/1990)
|
2005/04/13
|
|
France
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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
|
|
2006/11/30
|
|
Germany
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2005/04/13
|
|
Ghana
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
The 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act.
|
2005/12/15
|
|
Greece
|
c. No
|
The local authorities are able to organize (not binding) refereda, in order to detect the public opinion's point of view on important local issues, but a relevant legal basis does not exist.
|
2012/04/13
|
|
Guam
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Gerald A. Taitano, Executive Director, Guam Election Commission
|
2007/01/10
|
|
Hungary
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
C:44 "(1) Eligible voters exercise the right to local government through the representative body that they elect and by way of local referendum."
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Hungary, art. 44
|
2006/12/01
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
c. No
|
|
2016/01/23
|
|
Ireland
|
c. No
|
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
c. No
|
Only in regional level
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
|
|
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
|
|
Kiribati
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/03
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Local Referendum Act
|
2007/01/04
|
|
Latvia
|
c. No
|
|
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
|
c. No
|
|
2005/09/30
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Lithuania
|
c. No
|
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Law on Referendum, Article 8
Referendum may be announced also in the units of the local self-government for issues that have local significance and which are under the authority of the units of the local self-government.
Law on Local Self-Government, Art. 28:
(1) Through a referendum the citizens may decide on issues from under the competency of the municipality, as well as other issues of local importance.(2) The council shall be obliged to issue a notice of a referendum at the request of at least 20% of the voters of the municipality.(3) The council may issue a notice of a referendum on issues within its authority, at its own initiative.(4) The decision adopted on the referendum shall be binding for the council.
Source:
Law on Referendum and civil initiative, Official Gazette of RM no. 24/98, art. 8
https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/5640
Law on Local Self Government (2002), Art. 28: http://mls.gov.mk/images/laws/EN/Law_LSG.pdf
|
2020/04/23
|
|
Madagascar
|
c. No
|
Not mentioned 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 municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Art. 6 of the Referenda Act (Cap. 237)
|
2006/11/22
|
|
Mauritius
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/06/01
|
|
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
|
At municipality level ad hoc advisory referenda may be organised. On the question of the main language to be taught in primary schools (out of the two official Norwegian languages) referenda may be called by the municipal council or by at least 25% of the voters in the municipality.
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Montenegro
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Art. 3: The municipal referendum can be called for the purpose of obtaining an opinion of the citizens prior to making a decision on specific issues lying within the competence of the municipal assembly, in the manner and following the procedure prescribed by the municipal statute in conformity with the present Law.
Source:
Law: Law on Referendum as of 19 February 2001, Art. 2, 3
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL(2005)076-e
|
2021/12/25
|
|
Morocco
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Article 109, Electoral Law
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Mozambique
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Namibia
|
c. No
|
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Netherlands
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2005/08/19
|
|
Niger
|
c. No
|
Source:
Areticles 6, 49, 134, 135, 136, 137 de la constitution
|
2005/06/06
|
|
Norway
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
At municipality level ad hoc advisory referenda may be organised. On the question of the main language to be taught in primary schools (out of the two official Norwegian languages) referenda may be called by the municipal council or by at least 25% of the voters in the municipality.
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Palestine
|
d. Not applicable
|
No provisions for DD in current laws.
|
2007/06/11
|
|
Poland
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Act on local referendum of 15 September 2000
and
Mr. Henryk Bielski, specialist of the National Electoral Office
|
2006/12/25
|
|
Portugal
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 240
|
2012/04/20
|
|
Romania
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Law on referendums, 2000, article 2 and 13-14.
|
2005/03/20
|
|
Russian Federation
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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.(3).
Constitution of 12th December 1993, Art. 130.(2).
|
2005/03/19
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not explicitly stated.
|
2020/04/20
|
|
Senegal
|
c. No
|
Source:
Articles 51 et 103 de la constitution
|
2005/06/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
c. No
|
Source:
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/seychelles/GOVERNMENT.html
|
2005/08/30
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
c. No
|
NOT PART OF SIERRA LEONE LAWS
|
2005/06/13
|
|
Singapore
|
c. No
|
Source:
Constitution, article 5 (2A)
Constitution, article 5A
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Slovakia
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
a) The community decides independently in matters of local self-administration. Duties and restrictions may be imposed on it only by the law. Territorial self-administration is enacted at meetings of community residents, by means of a local referendum, or through community bodies.
Source:
The Constitution of the Slovak Republic (1992), Art. 67(1); the Act on Municipality Bodies and Administration of Municipality Matters (1990), 11a
|
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
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2012/04/18
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
c. No
|
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Sudan
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Article 66 and 128, Constitution and Electoral Law
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Swaziland
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Sweden
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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 Act on Municipal Referendums (Swedish Code of Statutes 1994:692)
|
2012/05/16
|
|
Switzerland
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
Switzerland has approximately 3 000 communes which all have different forms of direct democracy instruments.
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Taiwan
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2020/03/31
|
|
Togo
|
c. No
|
Source:
constitution 1992 TITRE 13 article 144.
Mr Theodule Nouatchi enseignant de droit a l'universite au benin
|
2005/05/13
|
|
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 municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Articles 2, 47 and 72 of Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Turkey
|
c. No
|
Source:
Art 175 Constitution, Rumpf - Steinbach op. cit
|
2015/06/01
|
|
Turkmenistan
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2007/01/06
|
|
Uganda
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
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
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Local Government Act 2000. Part II & Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001.
|
2012/05/09
|
|
United States of America
|
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2007/01/06
|
|
Uruguay
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/04/11
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2009/08/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Electoral Commission of Vanuatu
|
2016/01/27
|
|
Venezuela
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
|
2006/04/07
|
|
Viet Nam
|
d. Not applicable
|
no available data
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Western Sahara
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
|
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Zambia
|
c. No
|
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
c. No
|
Source:
Maureen Nthabiseng Moloi, EISA
|
2018/10/31
|
