1951 Uruguayan constitutional referendum explained

A constitutional referendum was held in Uruguay on 16 December 1951.^[1] The proposed amendments to the constitution were approved by 54% of voters.

Proposals

The proposed changes to the constitution were presented to the General Assembly on 30 June 1951. The Chamber of Deputies approved it by a vote of 85 to 14 on 10 October, whilst the Senate approved it by a vote of 26 to 4 on 26 October.^[1]

The amendments would:^[1]

• reintroduce the colegiado system of government, giving six seats on the National Council of Government to the largest party and three to the second largest party.
• provide for a bicameral General Assembly elected by proportional representation.
• retain the use of the lema system.
• allow petitions for constitutional amendments signed by 10% of registered voters, and allow the General Assembly to put forward a counter-proposal to the proposed amendments.

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	232,076	54.00
Against	197,684	46.00
Total	429,760	100
Registered voters/turnout	1,158,939	37.08
align=left colspan=3	Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

The colegiado system was reintroduced prior to the 1954 general elections.

Notes and References

1. http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=uy011951 Uruguay, 16 December 1951: Constitution