Mauritanian constitutional referendum, 1991
Encyclopedia
A constitutional referendum were held in Mauritania
on 12 July 1991. The new constitution
would restore multi-party democracy for the first time since the 1960s, as well as creating a bicameral
Parliament
with a Senate
and National Assembly
. The constitution would not include term limits for the President. It was approved by 97.94% of voters with an 85.3% turnout.
Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in the Maghreb and West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, by Western Sahara in the north, by Algeria in the northeast, by Mali in the east and southeast, and by Senegal in the southwest...
on 12 July 1991. The new constitution
Constitution of Mauritania
The current Constitution of Mauritania was adopted on 12 July 1991. There have been several constitutions since Mauritania's independence in 1960.-Current constitution:...
would restore multi-party democracy for the first time since the 1960s, as well as creating a bicameral
Bicameralism
In the government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses....
Parliament
Parliament of Mauritania
The Parliament has two chambers.*the National Assembly has 81 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies....
with a Senate
Senate of Mauritania
The Parliament has two chambers. The upper house is the Senate . The Senate has 56 members, 53 members elected for a six year term by municipal councillors with one third renewed every two years and 3 members elected by Mauritanians abroad.-See also:*List of Presidents of the Senate of Mauritania...
and National Assembly
National Assembly of Mauritania
The Parliament has two chambers. The National Assembly has 81 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies. From 1961-1978, the only legal party was the Parti du Peuple Mauritanien . In the 1990s, a multiparty system was introduced in Mauritania...
. The constitution would not include term limits for the President. It was approved by 97.94% of voters with an 85.3% turnout.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 713,493 | 97.94 |
| Against | 14,999 | 2.06 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 3,020 | |
| Total | 731,512 | 100 |