May 1990 Colombian Constitutional Assembly referendum

A referendum on electing a Constitutional Assembly was held in Colombia on 27 May 1990 alongside presidential elections.[1] The proposal was approved by 96% of voters.[1] A Constitutional Assembly was later elected in December 1990 and produced the 1991 constitution.

Background

After the murder of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán in August 1989, students started a movement calling for a referendum "for peace and democracy" to be held on 21 January 1990.[2] However, under pressure from drug cartels, the government rejected the proposal. The students then set up the "We can still save Colombia" movement, which called for a referendum alongside the general elections on 11 March 1990 on establishing a Constitutional Assembly. The referendum saw 2,235,493 vote in favour and 117,000 vote against.[2]

Following the unofficial referendum, President Virgilio Barco Vargas issued decree 927 on 3 May calling a referendum on electing a Constitutional Assembly alongside the presidential elections on 27 May.[1] Although this was in violation of article 114[3] of the constitution, which gave Congress sole rights to reform the constitution, the referendum was approved by the Supreme Court.[1]

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	5,236,863	95.79
Against	230,080	4.21
Invalid/blank votes	424,174	–
Total	5,891,117	100
Registered voters/turnout	13,903,324	43.27
Source: Direct Democracy

References

1. Colombia, 27 May 1990: Election of a Constitutional Assembly Direct Democracy (in German)
2. Colombia, 11 March 1990 Direct Democracy (in German)
3. "Constitución Política 1 de 1991 Asamblea Nacional Constituyente". www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co. Retrieved 2018-05-21.