2006 Ecuadorian referendum

A three-part referendum was held in Ecuador on 26 November 2006, alongside the run-off for the presidential elections. Voters were asked whether they approved of a ten-year plan for education,[1] plans to improve healthcare provision,[2] and using oil revenues for social and economic programmes.[3] All three proposals were approved by wide margins.

Background

On 10 August 2006 President Alfredo Palacio proposed a referendum with 15 questions. However, this was rejected by the National Assembly, as some proposals involved constitutional changes that required parliamentary approval. On 25 September Palacio issued decree 1871 putting forward three proposals to a referendum. This was approved by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on 4 October, which also set the date of the referendum.[1]

Proposals

Ten year plan for education

The ten-year plan for education was put forward with eight main policies:[1]

1. Providing universal education for 0–5 year olds.
2. Providing universal education from first to tenth grades.
3. Increasing the number of students studying towards the baccalaureate to at least 75%.
4. Eradicating illiteracy and strengthening adult education.
5. Improving the infrastructure and equipment of educational institutions.
6. Improving the quality and equity of education and implementing a national system of evaluation and social accountability within the education system.
7. Revaluing the teaching profession and improving the initial training, ongoing training, working conditions and quality of life of teachers.
8. Ensuring a 0.5% annual increase of education sector's share of GDP until 2012, or to at least 6% of GDP.

Improving healthcare provision

The healthcare proposals would require the National Assembly to approve a law that allocated sufficient financial resources to provide universal health insurance, and an annual increase of 0.5% in the share of GDP spent on healthcare until 2012 (or to a figure of at least 4% of GDP).[2]

Use of oil revenues

The oil revenues proposal would require the National Assembly to pass laws within five months that ensured that any revenues from the oil industry that was not already allocated in the state budget would be used for social investment or revitalising the economy.[3]

Results

Ten year plan for education

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,491,145	91.58
Against	412,422	8.42
Invalid/blank votes	1,794,340	–
Total	6,697,907	100
Registered voters/turnout	9,021,773	75.52
Source: Direct Democracy

Improving healthcare provision

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,409,377	89.60
Against	511,608	10.40
Invalid/blank votes	1,750,376	–
Total	6,671,361	100
Registered voters/turnout	9,021,773	75.52
Source: Direct Democracy

Oil revenues

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,283,238	88.63
Against	549,286	11.37
Invalid/blank votes	1,838,419	–
Total	6,670,943	100
Registered voters/turnout	9,021,773	75.52
Source: Direct Democracy

References

1. Ecuador, 26 November 2006: Ten year plan for education Direct Democracy (in German)
2. Ecuador, 26 November 2006: Improvement of healthcare provision Direct Democracy (in German)
3. Ecuador, 26 November 2006: Oil revenue for social and economic programmes Direct Democracy (in German)