A two-part constitutional referendum was held in Mauritania on 5 August 2017,Mauritania: Constitutional referendum postponed to 5 August Jeune Afrique, 9 June 2017 having initially been planned for 15 July.Mauritanians to decide on July 15 whether President could extend reign North Africa Post, 25 April 2017 Voters were asked whether they approve of proposed amendments to the constitution. Both proposals were approved by 86% of voters with a voter turnout of 54%.Mauritanie - Référendum constitutionnel : la CENI proclame les résultats Al-Akhbar, 7 August 2017
Proposed amendments The referendum was split into two questions on different proposed reforms. One covered abolition of the indirectly-elected Senate and its replacement with regional councils, as well as merging the Islamic High Council and the national Ombudsman into a 'Supreme Council of the Fatwa'. The second question covered national symbols, including a proposal to change the national flag by adding a red band at the top and bottom to symbolize "the efforts and sacrifices that the people of Mauritania will keep consenting, to the price of their blood, to defend their territory", as well as modifying the national anthem.Mauritania's referendum set for July 15 APA News, 20 April 2017
A proposal to allow President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to run for a third term was dropped after protests in Nouadhibou.
Although 141 of the 147 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of the changes,Mauritania votes to change constitution despite widespread protests The New Arab, 9 March 2017 they were rejected by the Senate in March 2017, with 33 of its 56 members voting against, including 24 members of the ruling Union for the Republic.Mauritania vows referendum to abolish Senate, change flag News 24, 23 March 2017
Campaign Former President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi called for voters to oppose the changes, claiming it would be a "constitutional coup".Former Mauritania president slams ‘constitutional coup’ AA, 27 March 2017 The opposition coalition, the National Forum for Democracy and Unity, also rejected the changes.Mauritanian opposition slams planned constitution vote AA, 24 March 2017 The official campaign began on 21 July.Mauritanie : le référendum sur la révision constitutionnelle à l’épreuve de l’abstention Jeune Afrique, 4 August 2017
Results Constitutional reforms ChoiceVotes%For584,08485.61Neutral30,0394.40Against68,1249.99Invalid/blank votes64,408–Total746,655100.00Registered voters/turnout1,389,09253.75Source: Al Akhbar
National symbols
ChoiceVotes%For573,93585.67Neutral28,8944.31Against67,14610.02Invalid/blank votes76,314–Total746,289100.00Registered voters/turnout1,389,09253.72Source: Al Akhbar
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