2004 Bolivian gas referendum

Background

Holding a referendum on the use of the country's gas reserves was one of the first promises made by President Carlos Mesa upon assuming the presidency in the aftermath of the Bolivian Gas War of October 2003 that saw his predecessor, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, forced to resign and to flee the country.

The referendum was largely intended to quell the political unrest seen during the Gas War. Fears of an uprising led the Bolivian government to take measures essentially forcing the population to vote (announcing fines and other penalties for those who refused or boycotted) and warned that protesters against the referendum would be imprisoned.

Results

Do you agree that the Hydrocarbons Law (No. 1689), enacted by Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, should be repealed?

ChoiceVotes%
For1,788,69486.6
Against275,74213.4
Invalid/blank votes614,082–
Total2,678,518100
Registered voters/turnout4,458,29360.1
Source: Nohlen

Do you agree that the Bolivian State should recover ownership over all hydrocarbons at the wellhead?

ChoiceVotes%
For1,913,64292.2
Against162,1307.8
Invalid/blank votes594,359–
Total2,678,518100
Registered voters/turnout4,458,29360.1
Source: Nohlen

Do you agree that Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos should be re-established, reclaiming state ownership of the Bolivian people's stakes in the part-privatized oil companies, so that it can take part in all stages of the hydrocarbon production chain?

ChoiceVotes%
For1,793,59487.3
Against260,61012.7
Invalid/blank votes616,079–
Total2,678,518100
Registered voters/turnout4,458,29360.1
Source: Nohlen

Do you agree with President Carlos Mesa's policy of using gas as a strategic recourse to achieve a sovereign and viable route of access to the Pacific Ocean?

ChoiceVotes%
For1,055,52954.8
Against870,77245.2
Invalid/blank votes743,805–
Total2,678,518100
Registered voters/turnout4,458,29360.1
Source: Nohlen

Do you or do you not agree that Bolivia should export gas as part of a national policy framework that ensures the gas needs of Bolivians; encourages the industrialization of gas in the nation's territory; levies taxes and/or royalties of up to 50% of the production value of oil and gas on oil companies, for the nation's benefit; and earmarks revenues from the export and industrialization of gas mainly for education, health, roads, and jobs?

ChoiceVotes%
For1,179,89361.7
Against731,02138.3
Invalid/blank votes758,353–
Total2,678,518100
Registered voters/turnout4,458,29360.1
Source: Nohlen
gollark: Ruthless capitalists like the GTech™ retrocausal arbitrage system.
gollark: Again, EMH?
gollark: Sorry, what are those values in multiples of the standard bee rotation speed?
gollark: What rotation speed do you need?
gollark: We can email you one.

References
  1. Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p133 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
  2. Nohlen, pp140–141
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.