|
total countries/territories: 107
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Albania
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Artt. 81, 150 et seq Albanian Constitution, Art. 118 et seq. Electoral Code.
|
2005/03/17
|
|
Algeria
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Articles 168 to 171, Electoral law and Articles 7, and 77, Constitution
|
2005/04/29
|
|
American Samoa
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Filivaa M. Mageo, Deputy Director of Elections, Territorial Election Office
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Anguilla
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/30
|
|
Antigua and Barbuda
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitution, Chapter IV, Part 2, Section 38, subsection 7.
|
2006/03/17
|
|
Argentina
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Austria
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Art. 41, 43 & 60 B-VG, Art. 44, 45 & 46 B-VG, Volksbegehrengesetz 1973, Volksabstimmungsgesetz 1972, Volksbefragungsgesetz 1989.
|
2005/04/26
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
The Azerbaijan people can settle every matter connected with their rights and interests by referendum. The below-mentioned matters can only be determined by referendum:
1. The adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the introduction of changes to it.
2. The change of State borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
III. A referendum cannot be held concerning the following matters:
1. Taxes and the state budget;
2. Amnesty and pardon;
3. The election, appointment or confirmation of officials, whose election,
appointment or confirmation are within the competence of the legislative
organs and (or) the executive power.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1995), Art. 3
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Azerbaijan_2016.pdf?lang=en (2015).
Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7885/file/Azerbaijan_Election_am2017_en.pdf (2018).
|
2022/02/07
|
|
Bahrain
|
a. Constitutional
|
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
|
|
Bangladesh
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
The Referendum Act No. 25 of 1991
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Belarus
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
|
2005/03/25
|
|
Belgium
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Benin
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Constitution, Article 4.
|
2005/06/28
|
|
Botswana
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
The Referendum Act as a whole applies to the conduct and supervision (administration) of such elections. Section 65A (12)(a) of the Constitution states that the Independent Electoral Commission "shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of elections of the Elected Members of the National Assembly and members of a local authority, and conduct of a referendum".
Source:
The Constitution of Botswana, section 65A (12)(c) and section 89 (4); The Referendum Act of the Laws of Botswana, Chapter 02:10 section 3
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Bulgaria
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/02
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/12
|
|
Cambodia
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/06
|
|
Canada
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Chile
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Colombia
|
d. Other
|
|
2005/05/26
|
|
Croatia
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Mr. Damir Azenic, GONG
|
2005/11/14
|
|
Czech Republic
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Article 32 de la Constitution
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Denmark
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Electoral Law
|
2015/06/12
|
|
Ecuador
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitución Política:
Arts. 103 al 105
|
2005/04/21
|
|
Egypt
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Articles 1 to 3, Political Rights Law
|
2005/05/17
|
|
Eritrea
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Eritrean referendum proclamation no. 22/1992
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Estonia
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
|
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia; The Referendum Act; Regulations of the National Election Committee
|
2006/11/29
|
|
Finland
|
e. Not applicable
|
See question A.1.1.
|
2005/04/14
|
|
France
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 3, 11, 60, 88-5, 89;
|
2012/05/03
|
|
Gambia
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
The Gambian constitution, Article................
|
2006/11/09
|
|
Georgia
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitution of Georgia, art. 74-76:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Georgia_2018?lang=en
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/11/29
|
|
Ghana
|
a. Constitutional
|
Basically through parliament.
Source:
Chapter twenty - five of the 1992 constitution
|
2005/12/14
|
|
Greece
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2012/04/13
|
|
Guam
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Gerald A. Taitano, Executive Director, Guam Election Commission
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
a. Constitutional
|
The revision of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whenever needed by the circumstances, will be done in the following manner:
The Leader issues an edict to the President after consultation with the Nation's Exigency Council stipulating the amendments or additions to be made by the Council for Revision of the Constitution which consists of: [...] (3) The decisions of the Council, after the confirmation and signatures of the Leader, shall be valid if approved by an absolute majority vote in a national referendum. (4) The provisions of Article 59 shall not apply to the referendum for the "Revision of the Constitution."
Source:
Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Iran (1989), Art. 177 https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989.pdf
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
|
2016/01/23
|
|
Iraq
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Jose Maria Aranaz, Legal Advisor, UN-EAD
|
2007/01/03
|
|
Ireland
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
The Referendum Act 2001
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 75
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Japan
|
a. Constitutional
|
Amendment of the Constitution is initiated by the Diet, concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all members of each house. It shall then be submitted to the people for ratification through special referendum
Source:
The Constitution of Japan, art. 96
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Jordan
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2016/08/05
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2020/05/04
|
|
Kenya
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
The Constitution of Kenya Article 255
|
2012/03/15
|
|
Kiribati
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitution
|
2020/05/03
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/30
|
|
Latvia
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Law on National Referendums and Legislative Initiatives, 1994.
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Lebanon
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Articles 76 to 79, Constitution
|
2005/05/17
|
|
Lesotho
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
The administration of the referendum is the resposibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Source:
The Constitution of Lesotho, the 2001 Electoral Act
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Liberia
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
|
1.provision is supposed to be made in the Constitution and the CPA
2. depending on the specific situation, other regulation instruments might be evoked
MR. BOBBY W. LIVINGSTONE- INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE IEC OF LIBERIA
|
2005/09/30
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Lithuania
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Constitution, 1992, Section 9; Law on referendum, 2002.
|
2005/03/21
|
|
Luxembourg
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/30
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia (1991, with amendments through 2011)
https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/mk/mk014en.pdf
Law on Referendum and civil initiative, Official Gazette of RM no. 24/98
https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/5640
|
2020/04/22
|
|
Madagascar
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Articles 141 of the constitution
|
2005/05/10
|
|
Malawi
|
c. Regulations
|
Source:
Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Malaysia
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Mali
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Articles 118 et 120 de la Constitution
|
2005/06/03
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Johnathan John, Director, FSM Elections
|
2007/01/08
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Montenegro
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Law on Referendum of the Republic of Montenegro, Art. 1: The present Law regulates the calling and administration of a referendum, being the form of a prior pronouncement of citizens, as well as bodies in charge of the administration of a
referendum and protection of citizens’ rights in the administration of a referendum.
Source:
Law: Law on Referendum as of 19 February 2001
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL(2005)076-e
|
2021/12/25
|
|
Morocco
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Articles 38, 39, and 109, Electoral Law; Article 105, Constitution
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Mozambique
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
The 1990 Constitution of Mozambique
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Namibia
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/11/16
|
|
New Zealand
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2010/08/05
|
|
Niger
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Articles 6, 49, 134, 135, 136,137, de la constitution
|
2005/06/06
|
|
Norway
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
kare Vollan, Director, Quality AS
|
2007/01/07
|
|
Palestine
|
e. Not applicable
|
Constitution not valid, only a draft. No provisions for DD in current laws.
Source:
Electoral Commission Palestine
|
2007/06/11
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
C:TIV:290 "[...] (3) If the amendment has been approved by the two chambers of Congress, the full text of it will be submitted to the Superior Electoral Court, which, within a period of 180 days will call a referendum. If the outcome of the referendum is in favor of the amendment, it will be considered that it has been approved and promulgated and considered part of the Constitution."
Source:
The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay, art. IV:290
|
2006/12/31
|
|
Philippines
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Art. VI, Sec. 32
|
2005/07/08
|
|
Poland
|
a. Constitutional
|
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
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2012/04/20
|
|
Qatar
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/12/31
|
|
Romania
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Law on referendums, 2000.
|
2005/03/20
|
|
Russian Federation
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
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.
-Federal Constitutional Act on the Referendum of Russian Federation of 2004. N 5/FK3 .
|
2005/03/31
|
|
Rwanda
|
a. Constitutional
|
No information available on mandatory referendums
Source:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/RW/rwanda-organic-law-nb0-17-2003-of-07-07-2003/view
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/RW/rwanda-constitution-2010/view
|
2018/11/02
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
e. Not applicable
|
Referendums are optional.
|
2020/04/20
|
|
Senegal
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Articles 51 et 52 de la constitution
|
2005/06/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Article 116 of the constitution
|
2005/08/30
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
a. Constitutional
|
SECTION 33 OF 1991 CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE
|
2005/06/08
|
|
Singapore
|
a. Constitutional
|
Referendum for change of the Constitution, including addition to the Constitution
Source:
Constitution, article 5 (1) (2) (2a) (3)
Constitution, article 8 (1) (2)
Constitution, article 59 (2) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e), (3)
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3A%22cf2412ff-fca5-4a64-a8ef-b95b8987728e%22%20Status%3Ainforce%20Depth%3A0;rec=0 (2015)
|
2015/09/11
|
|
Slovakia
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
C:100 "A law will establish the manner in which the referendum will be carried out."
Source:
The Constitution of the Slovak Republic (1992), Art. 100; the Act on the way of executing referendum (1992)
|
2006/12/10
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
David Clark, Electoral Capacity Development Coordinator, Solomon Islands Election Commission
|
2007/01/09
|
|
Somalia
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
The law of the referendum constitution of Somalia article 4
|
2005/04/13
|
|
South Africa
|
a. Constitutional
e. Not applicable
|
|
2006/10/17
|
|
Spain
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 151, 168;
Law 2/1980 of 18 January ("Ley Orgánica de Regulación de las distintas modalidades de referendum")
|
2012/04/18
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
d. Other
|
aBillfortheamendmentorfortherepealandreplacementofor which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of Articles 1, 2,3,6,7,8,9,10and11orofthisArticle;and
(b) a Bill for the amendment or for the repeal and replacement of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 30 or of, paragraph (2) of Article 62 which would extend the term of office of the President, or the duration of Parliament, as the case may be, to over six years,
shall become law if the number of votes cast in favour thereof amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present), is approved by the People at a Referendum and a certificate is endorsed thereon by the President in accordance with Article 80.
The President shall submit to the People by Referendum every Bill or any provision in any Bill which the Cabinet of Ministers has certified as being intended to be submitted to the People by Referendum, or which the Supreme Court has determined as requiring the approval of the People at a Referendum if the number of votes cast in favour of such Bill amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present).
Source:
Constitution, art. 83, 85: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Sudan
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Article 66 and 128, Constitution
|
2005/05/02
|
|
Sweden
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
The Instrument of the Government, Ch. 8, Section 16;
The Riksdag Act, Ch. 5: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012)
|
2012/05/16
|
|
Switzerland
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 140, 142;
Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 58: Official website of the Swiss administration: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2012)
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Togo
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitution 1992 titre 1 article 4.
|
2005/04/25
|
|
Tonga
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/09/15
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2015/05/22
|
|
Tunisia
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Articles 2, 47 and 72 of Constitution
|
2005/05/03
|
|
Turkey
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Constitution Art 79: https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/docs/constitution_en.pdf
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Uganda
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2025/12/05
|
|
Ukraine
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
Art. 2 of the act on referenda orders that the procedure of preparation and conduct of All-Ukrainian and local referenda shall be regulated by the Constitution of Ukraine, by this Law, and other legislative acts of Ukraine.The procedure of preparation and conduct of Republican and local Referenda in the Republic of Crimea, on questions relevant to its authority, shall be regulated by this Law and Republic of Crimea legislation.
Cf. art. 13
Source:
art.2,13. of law on referenda
|
2005/03/17
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/09
|
|
Uruguay
|
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
|
Source:
b) Leyes N° 16.017 (20 de enero de 1989) y N° 17.244 (30 de junio de 2000).
c) Circular de la Corte Electoral N° 7.339 (25 de setiembre de 2000).
|
2006/04/12
|
|
Venezuela
|
a. Constitutional
|
Source:
Art. 344, Constitución
|
2006/04/07
|
|
Viet Nam
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Western Sahara
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
electoral law
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
And Articles 37 to 52, Electoral Law
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
electoral law
Source:
Articles 119, 158, and 159, Constitution
And Articles 37 to 52, Electoral Law
|
2006/11/27
|
|
Zambia
|
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
|
a) The Constitution of Zambia.
b) The 1967 Referendum Act.
|
2006/10/16
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Zimbabwe Constitution 157 (1). http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-constitution-of-zimbabwe-2008-1/view
|
2018/10/31
|
