2024 Ecuadorian constitutional referendum explained

A constitutional referendum was held in Ecuador on 21 April 2024, amid the 2024 Ecuadorian conflict.[1] [2]

The referendum was held on proposed security measures. In January 2024, the Constitutional Court had blocked nine proposed questions.[3] Items F through K were structured as a popular consultation rather than a constitutional question.

Results

Nine of the eleven referendum measures passed, with a reported voter turnout of 72%.[4] The measures that were approved were all security-related, and that with the highest support permits the country's army to carry out operations with police without a state of emergency having been declared beforehand.[5]

ThemeYesNoBlank
votes
Invalid
votes
TotalRegistered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%Votes%
AArmy support to police in combatting drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, trafficking in persons, terrorism, illegal mining, extortion and intimidation, and organized crime7,077,12472.242,719,90227.76378,147616,46310,791,636
BAllowing extradition6,261,74064.343,471,12335.66438,561620,11910,791,543
CSpecialized constitutional justices5,768,73059.923,859,36640.08535,220627,80810,791,124
DRecognizing international arbitration as a method of settling investment, contractual or commercial disputes3,312,41934.836,197,46765.17503,561777,15810,790,605
EReform of the Labour Code regarding fixed-term and hourly contracts, when entered into for the first time 2,910,91630.496,636,89269.51520,748722,27810,790,834
FGiving the Army competence for carrying out permanent control of weapons, ammunition, explosives and accessories on the routes, roads, roads and corridors authorized for entry to social rehabilitation centers6,741,97469.662,936,41830.34482,760629,91310,791,065
GIncrease in criminal penalties for terrorism and its financing, illicit production and trafficking of controlled substances, organized crime, murder, contract killings, human trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal activity with mineral resources6,501,33267.343,153,67432.66520,950615,15910,791,115
HReform of COIP to allow full criminal sentencing within a social rehabilitation center for criminal recruitment of children and adolescents, kidnapping for ransom, illicit production of scheduled controlled substances, illegal activity with mineral resources, possession of prohibited or unauthorized firearms, ammunition and explosives, unauthorized possession and carrying of weapons, extortion, disclosure of identity of an undercover agent, informant, witness, protected person, or protected judicial officer, influence peddling, solicitation of influence peddling, and frontmanship6,429,40066.683,212,14733.32535,928613,82410,791,299
ICriminalization of civilians possessing or carrying weapons, ammunition, or their components that are for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces or the National Police6,142,32163.903,470,55536.10564,855613,46610,791,197
JAllowing National Police and Army use of seized weapons6,152,53264.063,451,56235.94581,874604,89310,790,861
KExpropriation of seized property5,843,68260.993,737,05739.01612,303598,33810,791,380
align=left colspan=12Source: CNE[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-02-15 . Ecuador sets April 21 for referendum on tightening security . 2024-03-14 . Reuters.
  2. Web site: BNamericas - Ecuador to hold referendum in late April . 2024-03-23 . BNamericas.com . en.
  3. Web site: Alexandra . Valencia . 2024-02-26 . Ecuador top court blocks nine questions for referendum . 2024-03-14 . Reuters.
  4. News: Glatsky . Genevieve . 2024-04-21 . A Country Awash in Violence Backs Its Leader’s Hard-Line Stance . 2024-04-22 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  5. Web site: Mella . Carolina . Noboa achieves resounding support for tougher security to deal with spiraling violence in Ecuador . El País English . 23 April 2024 . Guayaquil . 22 April 2024.
  6. https://consulta2024.cne.gob.ec/#