Assembly starts debate on Referendum Bill |17 July 2019

The National Assembly yesterday afternoon started debate on the Referendum Bill, 2019 which details how and when a referendum will be held after it was tabled before the House by Vice-President Vincent Meriton.

Presenting the Bill, VP Meriton reminded members that the bill came into being following public debate after President Danny Faure’s announcement on May 27 to hold a referendum on the issue of non-resident Seychellois citizens voting in national elections.

VP Meriton noted that following intense public debates on the issue and the many divergent views that were voiced, on May 31 President Faure withdrew the referendum matter from the Electoral Commission and called on Attorney General Frank Ally to draft a new Referendum Bill with more clarity on the issue of referendum to be tabled before the National Assembly for consideration and debate.

The new Bill when approved will reinforce the legal framework that guides the organisation of referendums.

The debate on the Referendum Bill continues in the Assembly today, Wednesday.