2001 Somaliland constitutional referendum

2001 Somaliland constitutional referendum
31 May 2001 (2001-05-31)
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 1,148,940 97.10%
No 34,302 2.90%
Valid votes 1,183,242 99.61%
Invalid or blank votes 4,591 0.39%
Total votes 1,187,833 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,188,746 99.92%
Politics of Somaliland
Constitution
Government
Legislative
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
Related topics
flag Somaliland portal

A constitutional referendum was held in Somaliland on 31 May 2001.[1] The referendum was held on a draft constitution that affirmed Somaliland's independence from Somalia. 99.9% of eligible voters took part in the referendum and 97.1% of them voted in favour of the constitution.[2]

The ratification of the constitution confirmed Somaliland's independence, strengthened the executive branch and confirmed Islam as the "national faith".[3] Most importantly, it endorsed multiparty elections at all levels of government through universal suffrage paving way for democratic rule.[3]

However the referendum was opposed by the Government of Somalia and did not lead to any international recognition.

  1. ^ "Somaliland profile". BBC News. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Elections in Somaliland". africanelections.tripod.com. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b Muller, Tom (2 April 2012). Political Handbook of the World 2012. SAGE. ISBN 978-1-60871-995-2.