2017 Mauritanian constitutional referendum (Redirected from Mauritanian constitutional referendum, 2017)

2017 Mauritanian constitutional referendum

5 August 2017

Constitutional amendments relating to the institutions of the Republic
For
85.61%
Against
9.99%
Neutral
4.40%
Constitutional amendment modifying the flag and the national anthem
For
85.67%
Against
10.02%
Neutral
4.31%

A two-part constitutional referendum was held in Mauritania on 5 August 2017, having initially been planned for 15 July. Voters were asked whether they approve of proposed amendments to the constitution. Both proposals were approved by 86% of voters with a voter turnout of 54%.

Proposed amendments

The referendum was split into two questions on different proposed reforms. One covered abolition of the indirectly-elected Senate and its replacement with regional councils, as well as merging the Islamic High Council and the national Ombudsman into a 'Supreme Council of the Fatwa'. The second question covered national symbols, including a proposal to change the national flag by adding a red band at the top and bottom to symbolize "the efforts and sacrifices that the people of Mauritania will keep consenting, to the price of their blood, to defend their territory", as well as modifying the national anthem.

National flag proposition, as shown to the parliament in the debates

A proposal to allow President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to run for a third term was dropped after protests in Nouadhibou.

Although 141 of the 147 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of the changes, they were rejected by the Senate in March 2017, with 33 of its 56 members voting against, including 24 members of the ruling Union for the Republic.

Campaign

Former President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi called for voters to oppose the changes, claiming it would be a "constitutional coup". The opposition coalition, the National Forum for Democracy and Unity, also rejected the changes. The official campaign began on 21 July.

Results

Constitutional reforms

Choice Votes %
For 584,084 85.61
Neutral 30,039 4.40
Against 68,124 9.99
Invalid/blank votes 64,408
Total 746,655 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,389,092 53.75
Source: Al Akhbar

National symbols

Adopted national flag
Choice Votes %
For 573,935 85.67
Neutral 28,894 4.31
Against 67,146 10.02
Invalid/blank votes 76,314
Total 746,289 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,389,092 53.72
Source: Al Akhbar

This page was last updated at 2023-01-02 01:45 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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