Bolivian constitutional referendum, 1931

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A constitutional referendum was held in Bolivia on 11 January 1931.^[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of nine separate proposed amendments to the constitution, all of which were approved.

Background

On 24 June 1930 General Carlos Blanco Galindo led a military coup to oust President Hernando Siles Reyes. The military junta subsequently proposed several constitutional changes and fresh elections. A decree was issued on 27 November 1930 ordering a referendum on 28 December. However, it was later postponed. Elections were held on 4 January.^[1]

Electoral system

Blank votes were added to the "yes" votes. Voting was restricted to certain level of income or assets, whilst women and illiterate men were barred from voting.^[1]

Proposals

The proposals included:^[1]

Protection of citizens against arrests, detentions and illegal procedures.
Guarantees for loans contracts, bringing foreign companies under public control, protections for manual workers and defending social order against criminals, agitators and foreigners.
Limitation of the powers of the state of siege and defence of individual rights.
Expanding the powers of Congress, but limiting the power of the Senate on public honours.
Preventing immediate re-election for Presidents and Vice-Presidents
Incorporation of the Comptroller General as a constitutional body.
Administrative decentralisation.
University autonomy.
Judicial autonomy.

Results

Proposal	For		Against		Invalid/ blank	Total	Registered voters	Turnout
Proposal	Votes	%	Votes	%	Invalid/ blank	Total	Registered voters	Turnout
1		88.0		12.0			90,000
2		88.0		12.0			90,000
3		88.0		12.0			90,000
4		88.0		12.0			90,000
5		88.0		12.0			90,000
6		88.0		12.0			90,000
7	22,458	78.2	6,251	21.8			90,000
8		88.0		12.0			90,000
9		88.0		12.0			90,000
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

The National Congress were opposed to the referendum as it had not been carried out in accordance with the constitution, but ratified the approved proposals. The changes went into effect on 23 February, although the changes on election of the President and autonomy of universities were dropped.^[1]

References

1 2 3 4 5 Bolivia, 11 January 1931: Protection against illegal arrest and prosecution Direct Democracy (German)

Elections and referendums in Bolivia

Presidential elections	1855 1862 1873 1884 1888 1892 1904 1908 1909 1913 1917 1925 (May) 1925 (Dec) 1931 1934 1940 1947 1951 1956 1960 1964 1966 1978 1979 1980 1985 1989 1993 1997 2002 2005 2009 2014

Parliamentary elections	1855 1862 1873 1884 1888 1892 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1921 1923 1925 1927 1928 1931 1933 1934 1938 1940 1942 1944 1947 1949 1951 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1978 1979 1980 1985 1989 1993 1997 2002 2005 2006 2009 2014

Judicial elections	2011

Local elections	1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1999 2004 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015

Referendums	1931 1986 2004 2006 2008 2009 2016

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