2004 Macedonian autonomy referendum

2004 Macedonian autonomy referendum
7 November 2004
Are you in favor of the territorial organization of local self-government (municipalities and the city of Skopje) determined by the Law on the Territorial Division of the Republic of Macedonia and Determination of the Areas of Local Self-Government Units ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 49/96) and the Law on the city of Skopje ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia no. 49/96)?
OutcomeProposal failed as voter turnout was below 50%
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 427,112 95.06%
No 22,212 4.94%
Valid votes 449,324 98.89%
Invalid or blank votes 5,023 1.11%
Total votes 454,347 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,709,536 26.58%
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An autonomy referendum was held in Macedonia on 7 November 2004. Voters were asked whether they approved of overturning the municipal redistricting plans that gave greater autonomy to ethnic Albanians following the Ohrid Agreement that ended the 2001 conflict between ethnic Albanian militants and the predominantly ethnic Macedonian government forces. These had been changed to give ethnic Albanians greater control in districts where they had significant presence and gives local authorities greater control over education, health and development.[1] It also reduced the number of municipalities from 123 to 84.[2]

Although 95% voted in favour of the change, the voter turnout of 27% was well below the 50% threshold,[2][3] resulting in it failing.

  1. ^ Macedonia Votes on Local Autonomy for Ethnic Albanian Minority, Voice of America via Global Security, 2004-07-11, accessed on 2007-03-18
  2. ^ a b Election Profile IFES
  3. ^ Results IFES