|
total countries/territories: 93
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Albania
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Art 81 and 150 et seq. Constitution Art 118 et seq. Electoral Code
|
2005/03/17
|
|
Algeria
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Article 174, Constitution
|
2005/04/29
|
|
American Samoa
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Filivaa M. Mageo, Deputy Director of Elections, Territorial Election Office
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Andorra
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/26
|
|
Argentina
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Austria
|
a. Constitutional amendments
|
The German term for this initiative is Volksbegehren (Public Initiative). Detailed regulations are laid down in a specific Law on Public Initiatives (Volksbegehrengesetz of 1973).
Source:
Art. 41 Abs. 2 B-VG, Volksbegehrengesetz 1973.
|
2005/04/26
|
|
Bahamas
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/15
|
|
Bahrain
|
d. Not applicable
|
Fifteen members of the Consultative Council or the Chamber of Deputies are entitled to request proposing an amendment to the Constitution. Any member of the two chambers is entitled to propose laws. Each proposal shall be referred to the relevant committee in the chamber in which the proposal was made for an opinion. If the chamber sees fit to accept the proposal, it shall refer it to the Government to formulate it as a draft amendment of the Constitution or as a draft law and present it to the Chamber of Deputies during the same or succeeding period.
Source:
Article 92, Constitution
|
2005/05/01
|
|
Bangladesh
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Belarus
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Art 97, 99, 138 et seq. Constitution
|
2005/03/25
|
|
Belgium
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Benin
|
c. Other (specify)
|
Source:
Mr Theodule Nouatchi enseignant de droit a l'universite au benin.
Voir article 121 du reglement interieur de l'assemblee nationale relatif aux petitions.
|
2008/02/26
|
|
Botswana
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Brazil
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
c. Other (specify)
|
Brazil allows for direct democracy at national and sub-national levels, including regional and local levels. The plebiscite and the referendum are called by legislative decree. In other matters, under the jurisdiction of states, the Federal District, and municipalities, the plebiscite and the referendum will be called in accordance with the respective state constitution and the Organic Law. (Source: Plebiscite and Referendum)
Constitution:
Article 14. Popular sovereignty shall be exercised through universal suffrage and direct and secret voting, with equal value for all, and, in accordance with the law, through:
I – plebiscite;
II – referendum;
III – popular initiative.
Article 18. The political-administrative organization of the Federative Republic of Brazil comprises the Union, the states, the Federal District, and the municipalities, all autonomous, according to this Constitution.
§ 3. States may incorporate themselves with one another, subdivide, or dismember to annex to others, or form new states or federal territories, subject to approval by the directly interested population through a plebiscite, and by the National Congress, through a complementary law.
§ 4. The creation, incorporation, merging, and dismemberment of municipalities shall be done by state law, within the period determined by federal complementary law, and shall depend on prior consultation, through a plebiscite, of the populations of the municipalities involved, after the publication of the Municipal Viability Studies, presented and published in accordance with the law.
Article 29.
XIII – popular initiative for bills of specific interest to the municipality, city, or neighborhoods, through a manifestation of at least five percent of the electorate;
Source:
Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, 1988, Article 14, 18(3, 4), 29 (XIII), 49:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/constituicao-federal/constituicao-da-republica-federativa-do-brasil
Law No. 9,709, of November 18, 1998:
https://www.planalto.gov.br/Ccivil_03/leis/L9709.htm
Plebiscite and Referendum:
https://www.tse.jus.br/eleicoes/plebiscitos-e-referendos
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Bulgaria
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/03
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Constitution
|
2005/04/12
|
|
Cambodia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/06
|
|
Canada
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Chile
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Colombia
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
c. Other (specify)
|
|
2005/06/24
|
|
Cook Islands
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Teokoati Joseph, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Service – Ministry of Justice
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Croatia
|
c. Other (specify)
|
Source:
Mr. Damir Azenic, GONG
|
2005/11/14
|
|
Cyprus
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
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
|
2005/04/07
|
|
Denmark
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/28
|
|
Ecuador
|
c. Other (specify)
|
Source:
web jcg.Madronal
La Democracia Directa en América Latina.
Abril de 2004.
|
2005/04/28
|
|
Egypt
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not applicable. Only the government or president takes the initiatives
Source:
Article 62, Constitution
Article 1, Political rights Law
|
2025/09/30
|
|
Eritrea
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Eritrean referendum proclamation no. 22/1992
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Estonia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/29
|
|
Finland
|
d. Not applicable
|
The initiative is possible only at local referendums. The subject of the referendum is restricted to local matters.
|
2005/04/13
|
|
Gambia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/09
|
|
Ghana
|
a. Constitutional amendments
|
Source:
1992 Constitution Chapter Twenty - five
|
2005/12/15
|
|
Guam
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Gerald A. Taitano, Executive Director, Guam Election Commission
|
2007/01/10
|
|
Hungary
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
C:28/D "At least 50,000 voting citizens are required for a national popular initiative. A national popular initiative may be for the purpose of forcing the Parliament to place a subject under its jurisdiction on the agenda. The Parliament shall debate the subject defined by the national popular initiative."
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Hungary, art. 28/D
|
2006/12/01
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2016/01/23
|
|
Ireland
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Israel
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 71
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Japan
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/25
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/04
|
|
Kiribati
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/03
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/25
|
|
Latvia
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Law on National Referendums and Legislative Initiatives, 1994, article 22-25.
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Lebanon
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not applicable. Only the Government and the Chamber of Deputies have the initiatives.
Source:
Articles 18 and 76, Constitution
|
2005/05/17
|
|
Liberia
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
c. Other (specify)
|
For the removal of public servants
constitution
|
2005/09/30
|
|
Lithuania
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Law: Republic of Lithuania Law on Referendum, last amended on 6 May 2014 — No XII-860, art. 7-8.
|
2005/03/22
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Article 62:
Proposal for approaching to change of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia may be submitted by 150,000 citizens with a right to vote.
The proposal shall state how and where to amend the Constitution, as well as the reasons for it.
Together with the proposal 150,000 signatures of citizens with a right to vote shall also be submitted.
Article 63:
Proposal for passing a law may be submitted by at least 10,000 voters.
The proposal for passing a law shall be prepared in accordance with the Journal of the Assembly.
Together with the proposal, 10,000 signatures of voters shall also be submitted.
Constitution, Art. 71:
The right to propose adoption of a law is given to every Representative of the Assembly, to the Government of the Republic and to a group of at least 10,000 voters. The initiative for adopting a law may be given to the authorized instances by any citizen, group of citizens, institutions or associations.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, Art. 71:
https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/mk/mk014en.pdf
Law on Referendum and civil initiative, Official Gazette of RM no. 24/98, art. 63, 64:
https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/5640
|
2020/04/23
|
|
Madagascar
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not provided for in law
|
2005/08/25
|
|
Malaysia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Mali
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Artilces 75,118 de la constitution
|
2005/06/05
|
|
Mauritania
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/30
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Johnathan John, Director, FSM Elections
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Morocco
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Article 103, Constitution
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Namibia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Niger
|
b. Legislative proposals
c. Other (specify)
|
Source:
Pr Niandou Souley Abdoulaye
|
2005/06/06
|
|
Nigeria
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/30
|
|
Norway
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Paraguay
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
C:TII:ChX:123 "Voters are hereby given the right to propose draft laws to Congress through popular initiative. A law will establish the procedures as well as the number of voters who must sign such proposals."
Source:
The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay, art. II:X:123
|
2006/12/31
|
|
Peru
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
art. 11 a 18, y del 17 al 19 de la Ley de los Derechos de Control y Participacion Ciudadanos
|
2005/08/24
|
|
Poland
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Act on all-national referendum of 14 March 2003
Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland No 57 of 2 April 2003
|
2006/12/25
|
|
Portugal
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/20
|
|
Qatar
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/31
|
|
Romania
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/20
|
|
Russian Federation
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/26
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
d. Not applicable
|
Not applicable.
|
2020/04/26
|
|
Senegal
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Areticle 51 de la constitution
|
2005/06/06
|
|
Seychelles
|
d. Not applicable
|
no ctizen initiative
|
2005/08/30
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
d. Not applicable
|
NOT PART OF SIERRA LEONE LAWS
|
2005/06/13
|
|
Singapore
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Slovakia
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/01
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
David Clark, Electoral Capacity Development Coordinator, Solomon Islands Election Commission
|
2007/01/09
|
|
Somalia
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
The law of the referendum constitution of he republic of Somalia article 1
|
2005/08/26
|
|
Spain
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 87(3)
|
2012/04/18
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Sudan
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Article 66, Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Sweden
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/16
|
|
Switzerland
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Thailand
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Mr. Somchai Thepareenun, Election Officer, Office of the Election Commission of Thailand
|
2007/01/12
|
|
Togo
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution 1992 titre 1 article 4 alinea 2 et 3.
|
2005/05/12
|
|
Tonga
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2021/09/15
|
|
Tunisia
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 2, 47 and 72 of Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Turkey
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Art 88 Constitution
|
2015/06/01
|
|
Uganda
|
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Legislative proposals
|
Source:
http://www.africaaction.org/docs00/ugan0004.htm
|
2005/08/24
|
|
Ukraine
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/17
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
d. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/09
|
|
Uruguay
|
b. Legislative proposals
|
Puede emplearse para promover una ley ante el Parlamento.
Source:
Artículo 79 (Inciso 2°) de la Constitución.
|
2006/04/11
|
|
Vanuatu
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Electoral Commission of Vanuatu
|
2016/01/27
|
|
Viet Nam
|
d. Not applicable
|
Citizens have the right to take part in managing the State and society, in debating on general issues of the
whole country or of the locality, and make petitions or recommendation to the state offices and vote at any
referendum held by the State.
Source:
constitution 1992
Article 53
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Western Sahara
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 42, 118, 156 and 158, Constitution
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
d. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 42, 118, 156 and 158, Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
