2003 Georgian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Georgia on 2 November 2003 alongside parliamentary elections. The constitutional changes proposed would reduce the number of seats in the next Parliament of Georgia from 235 to 150.

2003 Georgian constitutional referendum
2 November 2003 (2003-11-02)
Are you for or against the reduction in the number of Georgian parliamentarians to 150 members?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 1,590,309 89.62%
No 184,209 10.38%
Valid votes 1,774,518 93.49%
Invalid or blank votes 123,466 6.51%
Total votes 1,897,984 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 3,178,593 59.71%

With almost 90% voting in favour,[1] the changes were first implemented following the 2008 Georgian legislative election.

Background

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Prior to the referendum, citizens groups had gathered 218,000 signatures on a petition calling for a reduction in the number of MPs, higher than the 200,000 required for a constitutional initiative. On 3 September 2003 President Eduard Shevardnadze signed a decree approving the referendum.[1]

Results

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Are you for or against the reduction in the number of Georgian parliamentarians to 150 members?

Choice Votes %
For 1,590,309 89.61
Against 184,209 10.39
Invalid/blank votes 123,466
Total 1,904,105 100
Registered voters/turnout 3,178,593 63.89
Source: Direct Democracy

References

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