It is a tidal wave expressed by the voters who voted in favor of the draft constitution, submitted to a referendum on Saturday. In a communication made this Sunday, the Minister of the Interior and Security, Hermann Immongault, announcing the results of the referendum vote, indicated that the “YES” won with 91.80% of votes, against 08.20% ”NO”.
The participation rate, which was one of the main issues of this election, stood at 53.54%, revealed the Head of the Ministerial Department of the Interior and Security, now the only body in charge of the organization of political elections in the Gabonese Republic, in accordance with the law.
Out of a total of eight hundred and sixty-eight thousand one hundred and fifteen (868,11) registered voters, four hundred and sixty-three thousand and sixty-six (463,066) voters were recorded, eight thousand eight hundred and ninety-three (8,893) blank ballots. or void for four hundred and fifty-four thousand one hundred and seventy-three votes cast, declared the Minister of the Interior.
Hermann Immongault stressed that the publication of these overall results at the national level, covering the provinces and the consular electoral commissions, will be followed this Monday by the announcement of the broken down results, department by department.
At the end of article 173, title 10, dealing with transitional and final provisions, this constitution comes into force after the election of the future president of the Gabonese republic.
This constitution replaces that of 1991, modified five (5) times, in 1994, in 1995, in 1997, in 2000 and finally in 2023 by law 13/2023 of August 19, 2023, under the reins of Bongo father and son.
Thirty observation missions were accredited for last Saturday’s constitutional referendum, deploying more than six hundred (600) observers throughout the national territory.
The organizations present are: the African Union, the European Union, ECCAS, the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States; as well as various local missions, we learned.
Feeodora Madiba
2024-11-17 22:04:00
#Gabon #adopts #constitution
How does the Gabonese government plan to address the concerns of voters who submitted blank or void ballots?
**Interview with Hermann Immongault, Minister of the Interior and Security of Gabon**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Minister Immongault. The recent referendum has cleared a major hurdle for the draft constitution. Can you tell us about the significance of the “YES” vote receiving 91.80%?
**Minister Immongault:** Thank you for having me. The overwhelming support for the “YES” vote reflects the desire of the Gabonese people for change and progress. This strong mandate will empower us to move forward with the constitutional reforms that are necessary for our democracy and governance. It’s a powerful indication of the people’s commitment to shaping their future.
**Editor:** The participation rate was noted at 53.54%. How do you view this voter turnout, considering the previous elections?
**Minister Immongault:** While it’s important for participation rates to be higher, we’re pleased that just over half of the registered voters engaged in this critical process. We see this as a building block, and we will work diligently to increase voter participation in future elections. Engaging the populace in such an important democratic process is a priority.
**Editor:** There were also reports of blank and void ballots. Can you explain what this means in the context of the election?
**Minister Immongault:** Yes, we noted that out of the total votes cast, there were approximately 8,893 blank or void ballots. This reflects a portion of the electorate that may have felt uncertain about the options presented. Our responsibility now is to understand those sentiments and address them in our future communications and outreach efforts. We want every Gabonese citizen to feel empowered to express their voice.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are the crucial next steps following the approval of the draft constitution?
**Minister Immongault:** The immediate focus will be on implementing the reforms outlined in the new constitution. This includes ensuring that the governance structures are ready, updating electoral laws, and enhancing civic education initiatives so that citizens understand their rights and roles in the democratic process. We are committed to fostering a transparent and inclusive environment as we move forward.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Immongault. It’s been enlightening to hear your insights on the referendum.
**Minister Immongault:** Thank you for the opportunity. It’s always a pleasure to discuss our progress as a nation.
