REFERENDUM: A LESSON IN ELECTORAL TURNOUT
Falkland Island Referendum Key Facts Total votes cast
1,518 Total valid votes cast Turnout No. of ‘Yes’ votes cast No. of ‘No’ votes cast
‘No’ campaigns receiving equal opportunity. Individuals and organisations were capped at expenditure of £1,000 to ensure that access to finance did not mean inequity of coverage. The observer mission also found that the campaigning, particularly on social media, was a contributing factor to the large turnout figure.
A lasting legacy
Member of the Uruguayan Chamber of Deputies, Mr Jaime Trobo, encapsulates the overall view of the observer team well when he states that he “...was surprised that such a small community with so few human resources to organise an
1,516 92% 1,513 (99.8%) 3 (0.2%)
electoral act did things so well, so properly, in conformity with international standards. This was a demonstration of a desire that this should be an act of value, not only in terms of its effects in the Falklands themselves, but also for the international image of a legitimate process.”
As the statement highlighted from resident Mrs Clement demonstrates, the referendum in 2013 is something that will live long in the memory of all Falkland Islanders. Not only has it reinforced an existing sense of identity, but it has also shown to the world the clear wish of a large majority of the people of the Islands.
Whilst the result was unequivocal, and the process was independently agreed to be free and fair, the Islands Government have still learnt from it and can see improvements that can be applied to the electoral process in the future.
These improvements were all of a relatively minor nature, such as improving pencils and paper used and offering an ‘emergency vote’ option for those people that had to leave the Islands at very short notice (for example for medical reasons).
Some of this work was completed for the general election in late 2013, however some items remain and it is intended that the Electoral Ordinance will be updated in time for the next general election in 2017. In the meantime, as with all Commonwealth nations, the Islands democracy does not sit still and the Islands Assembly continues to seek best practice from around the world.
Below: Due to the remote nature of the Islands, mobile polling stations were used for some residents during the referendum.
All images copyright Sharon Jaffray and Falkland Islands Government.
Chief Referendum Officer, Keith Padgett, pictured above announcing the referendum result, said: The referendum was a massive logistical task for me. I expected a large turnout because our status is important to us all. However, I don’t think anyone expected it to be so large. There was a queue of eager voters through and outside the building all day long. Also, because the Islands cover such a wide area, we use mobile polling stations to allow as many people as possible to vote. The count therefore took longer than expected and I had the added glare of TV cameras from around the world watching my every move. Altogether an unforgettable experience!”
The Parliamentarian | 2015: Issue Three | 195
Data Source: Falkland Island Government, July 2015
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