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1991 Sierra Leonean constitutional referendum

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1991 Sierra Leonean constitutional referendum

23, 26, 28 and 30 August 1991

Do you agree that the Republic of Sierra Leone should be governed by the Multi-Party Constitution already adopted by Parliament?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 1,500,000 80.00%
No 375,000 20.00%
Valid votes 1,875,000 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00%
Total votes 1,875,000 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,500,000 75%

A referendum on a new constitution was held in Sierra Leone on August 1991. Voting was held over four days (23, 26, 28 and 30 August).[1] The new constitution would restore multi-party politics, as the country had been a one-party state since the 1978 constitutional referendum made the All People's Congress the only legally permitted party.

Of the approximately 2.5 million voters, turnout was around 75%. The new constitution was approved by around 80% of voters,[1] and came into force on 1 October.[2] As a result, the 1978 constitution was repealed.[3] Due to a coup eight months after the referendum, the first elections under the new constitution were not held until 1996.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b August 1991 Constitutional Referendum African Elections database
  2. ^ Background Note: Sierra Leone US Department of State
  3. ^ Article 190 The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991