| Country: | Ecuador |
| Do you want a new constitution or a revised version of the existing constitution? | |
| Yes Text: | New constitution |
| No Text: | Revised constitution |
| Yes: | 807,574 |
| No: | 582,556 |
| Invalid: | 421,510 |
| Electorate: | 2,088,874 |
A constitutional referendum was held in Ecuador on 15 January 1978.[1] Voters were asked whether they wanted a new constitution or a revised version of the existing constitution. The former option was approved by 57% of voters, although around invalid votes accounted for a quarter of those cast, with many cast in protest at not having the option of returning to the 1945 constitution.[1]
Following a military coup in 1972, in 1976 the military government formed three commissions to assist with the transition back to civil rule. One group was to draft a new constitution, one was to revise the 1945 constitution, and one to create laws on political parties, local elections and the referendum.[1]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| New constitution | 778,611 | 57.20 |
| Revised constitution | 582,556 | 42,80 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 450,473 | – |
| Total | 1,811,640 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 2,088,874 | 86.73 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Direct Democracy |