The President of the Constitutional Court Dieudonné Aba’a Owono © D.R
The proclamation by the Constitutional Court of the Transition this Friday, November 29, 2024, of the final results of the constitutional Referendum organized by Gabon on November 16 sets the participation rate at 54.18%.
These overall results made public by the president of the high court, Dieudonné Aba’a Owonoindicate that those registered on the electoral list in the nine provinces of the country number 853,028 people. There were 462,166 voters for this referendum. Blank or invalid ballots: 45,784 and votes cast: 416,382.
“Yes” won with 381,781 votes or 91.64% against “No” which received 34,802 votes or 8.36%. A vote which thus approves the new constitution which now establishes in Gabon a reinforced presidential regime with limited prerogatives and balanced powers, according to specialists in constitutional law.
The abstention rate of 45.36% would result from several factors: the very short period of revision of the electoral lists, awareness raising on the innovations made in the new constitution, the holding of the vote during school periods, among others.
After the adoption of the new constitution, the next step remains the revision of the electoral code, which is often the cause of the lack of electoral transparency in Gabon. This phase should take place in January or February 2025, according to the timetable published by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) in power since August 30, 2023.
Camille Boussoughou
2024-11-29 14:42:00
#participation #rate #referendum #Gabon #stands
How might the outcome of this referendum impact Gabon’s democratic progress and future political landscape?
## Gabon Referendum: A Nation Votes on Change
**Host:** Welcome back to the programme. Today, we’re discussing the results of Gabon’s recent constitutional referendum. Joining us is Dr. [Guest Name], an expert on Gabonese politics and constitutional law. Dr. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.
**Guest:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Let’s jump right in. As we heard, the Constitutional Court announced that the referendum saw a voter turnout of 54.18%. What’s your initial reaction to this figure?
**Guest:** Well, the turnout is certainly notable. It indicates a significant portion of the Gabonese population engaged in this process of potentially reshaping their fundamental law. [Add context about typical voter turnout in Gabonese elections for comparison, if known, based on general knowledge or additional sources].
**Host:** The referendum itself was spearheaded by Gabon’s military leadership, who took power in a coup earlier this year. How do you view this referendum within the context of the ongoing transition?
**Guest:** This referendum is clearly a key pillar in the military junta’s roadmap for Gabon’s future. They’ve presented it as a step towards establishing a new social contract and bolstering democratic legitimacy. However, many observers are cautious, questioning whether such a significant change can truly be valid without a broader, more inclusive national dialog. [Optional: Discuss the specific proposals of the new constitution, if available from other sources].
**Host:** What are some of the key issues or concerns expressed by Gabonese citizens about this new constitution?
**Guest:** [Here, cite specific concerns from reputable sources or expert analysis if available. Discuss topics like human rights provisions, power distribution, and the role of the military in the new political order. If no specific details are available, offer general potential concerns based on knowledge of Gabon’s political context].
**Host:** looking forward, what are the likely next steps in Gabon’s transition following this referendum?
**Guest:** The junta has indicated that the referendum’s results will pave the way for drafting a new constitution and potentially organizing elections. However, many questions remain around the timeline for these events and the extent to which civilian participation will be genuinely meaningful in shaping Gabon’s future. It’s going to be crucial to monitor the situation closely in the coming months.
**Host:** Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for sharing your insights on this important development.