Referendum call

[neio]

So if another political party takes control of a province they could, in theory, call for a referendum on any issue they want?

 

[Tassidar]

So if another political party takes control of a province they could, in theory, call for a referendum on any issue they want?

I presume so, provided it is in the scope of powers of provincial government as set out in the Constitution.

 

[neio]

Interesting...

 

[Debbie]

I stand under correction but I do believe that this is no longer the case?

I too stand to correction, and what I have written above is based solely on past independent reading of the Constitution, as opposed to something I learnt in a classroom. You are quite possibly correct. I have no legal training so I may be wrong in my interpretation, though my current understanding remains that only the President has the power to call a referendum.

One could of course try use alternative ways such as appealing to the Constitutional Court, or there may be loopholes or intentional loopholes (if you know what I mean by that phrase) that would effectually prevent the president from denying a call for a national referendum.

The person best qualified to speak on this is someone who was actually involved in the writing of our Constitution....and gee wizz wouldn't you know it but one such person is a member of this forum - alacos. Perhaps he cares to comment?

 

[Debbie]

The only other reference to referendum in the constitution refers to the ablility of a premier of a province to call a referendum.

I think this clause refers to the premier's role as a 'go-between'. In other words, the Premier of a province herself does not have the ability to call a NATIONAL referendum. What I think this clause is ultimately about is a re-inforcement of whatever limited 'independence' a province may have.

 

[arf9999]

AAAAAAARGGGGHHH

Debbie, fix your sig! Please! Or the grammar gestapo will be banging on your door at 3am

 

[mooK]

alacos was involved in the writing of the SA constitution? wtf? anyone care to elaborate?

 

[Debbie]

mook you will have to ask alacos to elaborate.

arf99999999999, sig fixed. I blame this forum

 

[jarr]

mook you will have to ask alacos to elaborate...

haven't seen him around here much since that little, uhm... (legal) incident

 

[BradDC]

In SA we dont have Referendums, but we can always toi-toi.. Its our national passtime... i mean right! if enough people jump up and down we might break the earths orbit and maybe get ICASA's/the Gov's arse to move.

Im thinking giant red paint baloons and a slingshot..

what are u thinking?