Independence referendum
An independence referendum is a type of referendum in which the citizens of a territory decide whether the territory should become an independent sovereign state. An independence referendum that results in a vote for independence does not always ultimately result in independence.
The articles on specific referendums are linked with dates in the table on past referendums.
Procedure
An independence referendum typically arises first after political success for nationalists of a territory. This could come in the election of politicians or parties with separatist policies, or from pressure from nationalist organisations.
Negotiations
Negotiations for the terms of an independence referendum may take place between the nationalists and the government which exercises sovereignty over the territory. If terms can be agreed, then the independence referendum can be held with its result binding, and respected by the international community. Independence referendums can be held without the consent of governments, but their results are usually ignored by the international community.
Various issues can be discussed in negotiations, such as the date and timing of the poll, as well as voter eligibility. For these instances, common electoral practice is often widely used, although there can be deviations, as seen with the lowering of the voting age for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Other issues to be negotiated include what question or questions should be on the ballot, and what the voting options could be. Independence referendums can offer options of greater autonomy as well as, or instead of, the status quo. They can also put forward other constitutional questions to ballot. The questions that referendums ask may be revised if parties involved in negotiations consider them to be too leading.
Negotiations notably need to address what would make a result binding. For some independence referendums, a simple majority is required for one option. In other cases, a quota can be used, where a certain percentage of the vote or the electorate needs to be in favour of an option for it to be binding.
Successful negotiations can be hard to achieve for nationalists, as governments can be reluctant to give up sovereignty. For example, nationalists planned to hold a referendum in Catalonia in 2014, but met opposition from the Spanish government. As a result, the referendum that went ahead was unofficial and non-binding.
Aftermath
In the event of a vote for independence, there may be negotiations on the terms of secession for the territory from the sovereign state. A declaration of independence for a new state is then made, and international recognition can follow, as well as membership of international organisations such as the United Nations. In cases involving non-binding referendums, this can lead to a unilateral declaration of independence, and therefore partially recognised or self-proclaimed states.
In the event of a vote against independence, there may still be a strong nationalist movement and calls for there to be a rerun of the independence referendum. For example, after two referendums in Quebec, the Parti Québécois has continued to raise the prospect of holding another referendum,[1] and the Scottish National Party has said that there should be a repeat of the 2014 referendum if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Past referendums
Proposed state | Year | Former state | Majority for independence | Independence | Recognition | Notes |
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1846 | American Colonization Society | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1853 | Maryland State Colonization Society | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1905 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1918 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1933 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | |
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1945 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1945 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1946 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | The Declaration of Independence was annulled by Denmark |
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1955 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | Territory later transferred to West Germany |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | Yes | Yes | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
![]() | 1958 | ![]() | No | No | Yes | Referendum on the new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. |
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1961 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1962 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1964 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1964 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | The majority black population could not vote in the referendum; consequently the result was rejected by the United Kingdom and internationally. This prompted the contested Unilateral Declaration of Independence. |
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1967 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1967 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1969 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | The question asked was whether West Papua wanted to give up its sovereignty to Indonesia, with an alleged majority yes. |
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1969 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for integration with Guam |
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1970 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | The question was whether Bahrainis preferred annexation by Iran or independence. |
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1974 | ![]() |
Majority for associated status | Associated status achieved | Yes | The referendum was on whether Niue should become an associated state of New Zealand. This status is sometimes considered to be independence. |
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1974 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | The country declared independence on 6 July 1975, with Mayotte remaining under French control. |
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1975 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | Only voters in what would become the Federated States of Micronesia voted for independence. |
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1976 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for an improved status quo |
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1977 | ![]() |
Yes | No | Yes | Plans for full independence were scrapped in 1994 |
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1977 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1977 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | Referendum organised by the Nevis Reformation Party but not recognised by the Saint Kitts and Nevis government. |
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1980 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1980 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | Recognized by South Africa | Like other Bantustans, its independence was not internationally recognised. |
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1982 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1983 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Micronesia became an associated state of the United States |
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1983 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1983 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | Voters approved the Compact of Free Association with the United States |
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1984 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | Voters again approved the Compact of Free Association with the United States |
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1984 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1986 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1987 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1990 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Independence was achieved in 1993. |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | Led to de facto independence |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | Led to de facto independence |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1991 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1992 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1992 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1992 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | Led to de facto independence |
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1992 | ![]() |
Yes | No[2] | No | |
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1993 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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1993 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1993 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1993 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for restructuring the Netherlands Antilles |
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1994 | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | The issue was whether Moldova should retain its independent status |
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1994 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for keeping the status quo. |
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1994 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for keeping the status quo. |
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1994 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for keeping the status quo. |
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1994 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for keeping the status quo. |
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1995 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1995 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | Results ; Yes : 49.42 No : 50.58 |
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1995 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | Residents voted 304 to 4 for independence.[3] Regarded by most to be a micronation rather than a de facto state. |
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1997 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | Anjouan remained de facto independent until 2001 |
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1998 | ![]() |
Yes | No | Yes | 62% of voters approved of independence, but a 2/3 majority was required. |
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1998 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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1999 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | The referendum was organised by the United Nations; independence was achieved in 2002 |
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2000 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for becoming a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. |
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2004 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for integration with the Netherlands |
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2004 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for direct constitutional ties with the Netherlands |
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2005 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | |
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2005 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted to become an Autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
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2005 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for remaining part of the Netherlands Antilles |
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2006 | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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2006 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | The issue was whether South Ossetia should retain its de facto independent status |
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2006 | ![]() |
Yes | De facto | No | The issue was whether Transnistria should retain its de facto independent status |
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2006 | ![]() |
Majority for associated status | Associated status not achieved | Yes | The referendum was on whether Tokelau should become an associated state of New Zealand. This status is sometimes considered to be independence. 60% of voters approved, but a 2/3 majority was required. |
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2007 | ![]() |
Majority for associated status | Associated status not achieved | Yes | The referendum was on whether Tokelau should become an associated state of New Zealand. This status is sometimes considered to be independence. 60% of voters approved, but a 2/3 majority was required. |
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2011 | ![]() |
Yes[4] | Yes | Yes | |
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2012 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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2014 | ![]() |
Yes[5] | De facto[6] | No | The issue was whether the Donetsk People's Republic should retain its de facto independent status. Only a portion of this territory can be considered independent. |
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2014 | ![]() |
Yes[5] | De facto[6] | No | The issue was whether the Lugansk People's Republic should retain its de facto independent status. Only a portion of this territory can be considered independent. |
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2014 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | The referendum was conducted online and through self-organized voting booths by a private organization, Plebiscite 2013, without voter verification, and without the cooperation of the Italian national or Venetian regional governments. 89% of residents voted to split from Italy.[7][8] |
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2014 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | |
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2014 | ![]() |
Yes | No | No | |
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2014 | ![]() |
No | No | Yes | A majority voted for autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but low turnout invalidated the result. |
Scheduled referendums
Proposed state | Date | Current state | Recognition | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2017[9] | ![]() |
No | The referendum will ask if South Ossetia should maintain its de facto independence or join Russia. |
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2017[10] | ![]() |
Unknown | Pro-independence politicians defended the vote, saying Catalan citizens will get a say on independence in a referendum. |
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2018[11] | ![]() |
Yes | See Nouméa Accord. |
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15 June 2019[12] | ![]() |
Yes | The date is only tentative as the island has to meet certain criteria before the vote can happen. |
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2020[13] | ![]() |
No | See Khalistan movement. |
See also
- Secession
- Independence
- Sovereignty
- Succession of states
- Declaration of independence
- Lists of active separatist movements
References
- ↑ "Neverendum referendum: Voting on independence, Quebec-style". BBC News Online. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- ↑ Ildar Gabidullin; Maxim Edwards (April 20, 2014). "Remembering referendums: Tatarstan and Crimea". Al Jazeera.
With its 1992 referendum legitimising its sovereignty-building project, Tatarstan, as Katherine Graney described it, "acted like a state without becoming one".
- ↑ Roth, Christopher F. (March 2015). Let’s Split! A Complete Guide to Separatist Movements and Aspirant Nations, from Abkhazia to Zanzibar (PDF). Litwin Books, LLC. p. 90.
In 1995, Giorgio held a referendum, with Seborgans opting for independence 304-4.
- ↑ South Sudan backs independence – results
- 1 2 "In eastern Ukraine, polls close amid allegations of double-voting - CNN.com". CNN. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- 1 2 "Russia Praises Ukraine's Autonomy Law for Rebel Areas". WSJ. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ↑ Roberts, Hannah (2014-03-21). "Venice votes to split from Italy as 89% of the city's residents opt to form a new independent state". Mail Online. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ↑ "89% of Veneto residents vote for independence from Rome". RT. 2014-03-23. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
- ↑ Fuller, Liz (2016-05-30). "South Ossetia Postpones Referendum On Accession To Russian Federation". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
- ↑ Calvo, Amanda (2016-10-06). "Catalan parliament votes yes to independence referendum next September". Reuters. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ↑ "Paris meeting to prepare New Caledonia independence vote". Radio New Zealand. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ↑ "Ball rolling on Bougainville referendum". Radio New Zealand. 2016-05-22. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
- ↑ Haider, Masood (2014-06-08). "Sikhs living abroad to hold 'referendum' for separate homeland". Dawn. Retrieved 2016-10-15.