A referendum on the electoral system was held in Slovenia on 8 December 1996.[1] Voters were given three options to approve or not; a compensatory system, a two-round majority system and a proportional representation system at a national level.[2]

Due to the low turnout of 37.9%, none of the proposals crossed the legal threshold and the results were invalidated.[3] Later, in 1998, the results were revisited by the Constitutional Court, who found that the two round majority system had in fact been approved. However, the system ended up not being adopted after negotiations between parliamentary parties resulted in the approval of a proportional representation system with a 4% electoral threshold, which was added as an amendment to Article 80 of the Constitution, bypassing the court ruling.

Results

Option A: Compensatory system

The compensatory system (mixed-member proportional representation) was proposed by the National Assembly. It would have 44 single member constituencies elected via the two-round system, complemented by a list vote using proportional representation, which would produce a more proportional seat total.[3] Voters would cast two ballots (one for their constituency, and one for the national list).

Choice Votes %
For83,86414.38
Against237,04140.64
Invalid/blank votes56,9079.76
Total583,297100
Registered voters/turnout1,537,52937.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Option B: Two-round majority system

The two-round majority system would have 88 single member constituencies. It was proposed by the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia and 43,710 voters.[3]

Choice Votes %
For259,68744.52
Against139,38423.90
Invalid/blank votes56,9079.76
Total583,297100
Registered voters/turnout1,537,52937.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Option C: Proportional representation system

Option C was proposed by 30 members of the National Assembly.[3] It would be a system of open list proportional representation, whereby members would be elected from one nationwide constituency in proportion to their party's percentage of the vote.

Choice Votes %
For152,78426.19
Against207,96535.65
Invalid/blank votes56,9079.76
Total583,297100
Registered voters/turnout1,537,52937.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Against all

A total of 32,974 people selected none of the above.

References

  1. ↑ Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1778 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver, p1784
  3. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver, p1767
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.