FSM voters maintain current Constitution
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 6, 2002 - Results of the recent referendum showed all 14 proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia were defeated at the polls on August 27, 2002.
The Referendum for the FSM Constitution drew a little over 15,000 voters to the polls, about 1/4 of the 67,000-plus registered voters in the FSM. Poll results showed very slight differences on both sides of each amendment. These figures translated into combined percentages lower than the required 75% votes needed to pass an amendment.
Although the results did not meet the required percentages, the figures indicate strong consensus among the States in support of two of the proposed amendments. Strong support was given to Proposed Amendment 01-11, "to establish national educational standards and funding to support them" and equally strong was the opposition on Proposed Amendment 01-9, "to provide allowance for former Presidents and Vice Presidents."
The following are the official results of the 2002 Referendum, the combined percentages of affirmative votes from the four states:
The FSM Constitution, as indicated by the polls, may remain in its current form until the next caucus for a Constitutional Convention - in 10 years.
For further information on this release, please contact:
FSM Office of the President Public Information: Press, Radio, Video P.O Box 34 Palikir Station, Pohnpei, FM 96941 Tel.: (691) 320-2548/2092 Fax.: (691) 320-4356 e-mail: email@example.com http://www.fsmpio.fm/