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Referendums

Introduction

The Electoral Commission has a number of responsibilities relating to the conduct of UK-wide, national and regional referendums held under PPERA. The Commission's Chairman Sam Younger, or an appointee, would be the Chief Counting Officer. For more information on referendums, see our referendum legislation pages which explain more. Alternatively, contact Doug Stewart (Head of Strategy) on 0207 271 0589.

Previous news

UK Government make announcement on referendum

Visit this page for further information on the statement made by the Foreign Secretary in Parliament on 6 June 2005.

France and Holland vote no

France and the Netherlands have both voted no in their respective referendums on the European Constitution. Visit this page  for further information on international referendums.

Spanish referendum

The Spanish Senate ratified the European Constitution by 225 votes for and 6 against, effectively concluding the parliamentary ratification process. The vote took place following a debate in which the Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero stressed the importance conceded by the treaty to the national parliaments as well as to the protection of cultural diversity.

The Constitution

This link to the European Union website provides information on the European Constitution to a range of audiences: from those who want a short and general form to those looking for in depth explanation or those in search of graphical downloads.

We publish our views on the European Constitution referendum question

3 February 2005: We have published our views on the proposed referendum question contained within the European Union Bill. For further information please see our pages on the European Constitution referendum.

European Union Bill introduced into Parliament

25 January 2005: The Government introduced the European Union Bill. This bill provides for a referendum to be held in the United Kingdom on whether or not to approve the European Constitution. For further information please see our pages on the European Constitution referendum. 

Referendum legislation

Under The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), which sets out the legal framework under which UK, national and regional referendums will be held, we have responsibility for:

• Commenting on the intelligibility of the question.
• Registering campaign organisations as permitted participants.
• Designating (appointing) lead campaign organisations on both sides of the referendum question.
• Monitoring referendum expenditure limits and donations.
• The Chief Counting Officer at a referendum will be our Chairman, or a designated appointee.

The European Union Bill provides the Commission with the following additional responsibilities:

• Encouraging voting at the referendum.
• Managing the administration of claims for fees and charges by Counting Officers.

Referendums

Legislation and referendum framework

Referendum campaign period

The European Constitution Referendum

Past UK referendums

The North East Referendum

Mayoral referendums

International referendums

Referendum questions

FAQs

See also

Related documents

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