Gambian constitutional referendum, 1996

The Gambia
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Gambia
Constitution President (list) Yahya Jammeh Vice-President Isatou Njie Saidy Cabinet National Assembly Speaker: Abdoulie Bojang Political parties Politicians Recent elections Presidential: 2006 2011 Parliamentary: 2007 2012 Supreme Court Administrative divisions Divisions Districts Foreign relations
Other countries Atlas Politics portal

A constitutional referendum was held in the Gambia on 8 August 1996. The new constitution was passed, with voter turnout of 86.9%.

Background

Elected president Dawda Jawara was overthrown in a military coup led by Yahya Jammeh on 22 July 1994. Following the coup, Jammeh ruled Gambia by decree as head of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council, with all political activity banned.^[1] He promised a return to civilian rule within four years, and a constitution was drawn up following a controversial consultation process.^[1]

The new constitution allowed for multiparty elections, an unlimited number of five year presidential terms and lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

The referendum was organised by the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission, with 441,732 voters registered.

Results

Aftermath

Presidential elections were held in August 1996, which were won by Jammeh (despite him denying that he would stand until shortly before the election). In January 1997 parliamentary elections were held and won by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction.

References

Elections and referendums in the Gambia Presidential elections 1982 1987 1992 1996 2001 2006 2011 Parliamentary elections 1947 1951 1954 1960 1962 1966 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 Referendums 1965 1970 1996