89% approve proposed constitutional amendments

A referendum held yesterday saw proposed amendments to the Austenasian Constitution of 2011 approved by a majority of 89.47%, while local elections held at the same time saw all incumbent Representatives re-elected. Out of the 49 subjects eligible to vote in the referendum, 38 did so, a turnout of 77.55%. Three votes (7.89%) were cast in abstention, and only one person (2.63%) voted against the proposed amendments. The main amendments which had been proposed were explained for the benefit of voters in a YouTube video which can be seen here. Now that the amendments have been approved by referendum, they must be approved by Parliament. A requirement of over 80% of Representatives to be in favour of any constitutional amendments means that if more than one of Austenasia’s ten Representatives opposes the changes, they will not be able to be passed. Should Parliament approve the amendments, they will come into force at one second past midnight on the morning of Sunday 20th September. Alongside the voting for the amendments was voting for Representatives, with local elections taking place at the same time. All the incumbents were re-elected, and under the provisions of an Act of Parliament passed in October last year, the Representatives will shortly choose from amongst themselves a Speaker to help moderate parliamentary proceedings.

Referendum for constitutional amendments to coincide with local elections

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor yesterday promulgated an Imperial Decree which ordered a referendum to take place on 31 August in which all Austenasian subjects will be able to vote on proposed amendments to the Constitution. Local elections will also take place on 31 August, in which each Town will choose who to serve as its Representative in Parliament. Several of the proposed amendments are little more than corrections to mistakes in the spelling and grammar of the Constitution, which was adopted in September 2011. The main amendments which have been proposed are: Local elections shall take place at least once every five years instead of at least once every two years. Local elections will be able to take place in Towns individually. At present, all Towns have their local election at the same time. The structure of the judicial system will be able to be reorganised by Parliament (it currently being entrenched by the Constitution). Parliament will be able to make provision for whom the Throne should pass to should the Line of Succession come to an end. The Monarch will be able to temporarily suspend the Constitution should there be an emergency so severe (an “existential threat to the state”) that normal government becomes completely impossible. Subjects will have the option to vote Yes, No, or Abstain to the proposed changes. Should over half of all Austenasian subjects vote Yes, then an Act of Parliament will be proposed to put the amendments into effect, which will require the support of over 80% of Representatives to pass.