MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ proposed referendum question enters public consultation period

The Falklands population and the ballot box hand in hand

The Falkland Islands government has opened a public consultation on the proposed referendum question on the Falklands Political Status to be held in early 2013. The proposed question was arrived at and agreed by all members of the Legislative Assembly having received expert advice on the issue.

In its presentation the question says that “given Argentina is calling for negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this referendum is being undertaken to consult the people regarding their views on the political status of the Falkland Islands”.

The referendum question reads: Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?

The two reply options are YES and NO.

To the second option, the FIG states that “should the majority of votes cast be against the current status, the Falkland Islands Government will undertake necessary consultation and preparatory work in order to conduct a further referendum on alternative options”.

In the consultation process the public are asked to comment on two points: the clarity of the wording of the question and the clarity of choice offered by the question.

FIG says that comments should be made in writing or emailed: REFERENDUM CONSULTATION, Gilbert House, Stanley. Comments should be received by no later that 1630 on Friday 16th November.

The full text of the proposed question is as follows:

“The current political status of the Falkland Islands is that they are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. The Islands are internally self-governing, with the United Kingdom being responsible for matters including defence and foreign affairs. Under the Falkland Islands Constitution the people of the Falkland Islands have the right to self-determination, which they can exercise at any time. Given that Argentina is calling for negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this referendum is being undertaken to consult the people regarding their views on the political status of the Falkland Islands. Should the majority of votes cast be against the current status, the Falkland Islands Government will undertake necessary consultation and preparatory work in order to conduct a further referendum on alternative options.

“Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?”

The release states that following the Public Consultation period, the question will be formally adopted by Executive Council on 21st November.

The question will be available with a list of Public Meetings in a separate one-page document alongside the Penguin News on Friday 2nd November. It will also be shown as an advert on FITV, and will be read periodically on the radio.

The Falklands’ population will be able to discuss the question with Members of the Legislative Assembly at a series of Public Meetings both in the Camp and Stanley and there will also be an open radio discussion.