By Glenda Willie.
Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Edward Kaltamat, has explained the method for tallying votes in the upcoming referendum.
The Electoral Commission will determine the outcome based on a simple majority, which means 50% of the total votes cast, plus one additional vote. Kaltamat highlighted that this calculation includes all votes cast on the referendum day, both valid and void.
The referendum centres on two important questions outlined in Articles 17A and 17B, which aim to tackle the issue of political instability caused by frequent party allegiance shifts among MPs.
Article 17A mandates that MPs elected under a political party must maintain their party affiliation throughout their parliamentary term. If they resign or are expelled, their parliamentary seat will be declared vacant.
Similarly, Article 17B extends this requirement to independent candidates and members of single-member political parties, stipulating that they must affiliate with a political party post-election and maintain support throughout their term. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of their parliamentary seat.
These articles are part of the Constitution (Eighth) (Amendment) Act No. 21 of 2023, which was unanimously passed by Members of Parliament in December 2023. However, their implementation relies on the support of a national referendum, as outlined in Article 86 of the Constitution. Voters will be asked to vote on both Articles 17A and 17B, and their support will be determined on a national basis.
Kaltamat stated that if more than 50% of the voters support both questions for Article 17A and Article 17B, they will become law. However, if the majority vote against both questions, the referendum would fail, and neither article would be effective.
The Electoral Commission chairman emphasised the importance of voter participation, urging registered voters to exercise their rights on polling day. He stressed the significance of this inaugural referendum as an opportunity for citizens to shape the governance of the nation.
Kaltamat mentioned that amending the Constitution is not a simple task, and there is uncertainty about when another opportunity like this would arise for citizens to make such decisions.
