1978 Sierra Leonean constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Sierra Leone on 12 July 1978. The constitutional amendments were aimed at turning the country into a presidential one-party state, with the All People's Congress as the sole legal party. The new constitution had been adopted by Parliament in May, and was put to public approval in the referendum. With more than 97% of voters voting in favour according to official results, the referendum has been described as "heavily rigged".[1]

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APC leader and President Siaka Stevens had pushed for the adoption of one-party rule, contending that it was more "African" than Western-style democracy.[2]

Results
Choice Votes %
For2,152,46097.15
Against63,1862.85
Invalid/blank votes–
Total2,215,646100
Registered voters/turnout2,235,004
Source: African Elections Database

Aftermath

Following the referendum, Stevens was sworn in for another seven-year term. In the next presidential elections in 1985, voters had the choice of supporting or opposing his successor, Joseph Saidu Momoh, with no opposition candidates allowed. The 15 Sierra Leone People's Party MPs elected in 1977 joined the APC.[3]

The country would remain a one-party state until 1991, when a referendum repealed the 1978 constitution[4] and returned the country to multi-party politics.

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References
  1. Gberie, L. (2005) A Dirty War in West Africa: The RUF and the Destruction of Sierra Leone
  2. Dickovick, J. Tyler (2008). The World Today Series: Africa 2012. Lanham, Maryland: Stryker-Post Publications. ISBN 978-161048-881-5.
  3. Chronology Conciliation Resources
  4. Article 190 The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991
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