2004 Uruguayan constitutional referendum

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31 October 2004
Maintain the state monopoly of drinking water and sanitation services
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 1,440,006 64.61%
No 788,924 35.39%
Valid votes 2,228,930 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00%
Total votes 2,228,930 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,486,994 89.62%
Politics of Uruguay
Constitution
Executive
Judiciary
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Ballot paper.

A constitutional referendum on an amendment dealing with public ownership of water supply was held in Uruguay on 31 October 2004 alongside simultaneous general election.

Background

The proposed amendment to the constitution dealt with the issue of water supply and sanitation, including a statement that access to piped water and sanitation were fundamental human rights, and that

The public service of sewerage and the public service of water supplying for the human consumption, will be served exclusively and directly by state legal persons.[1]

The amendment was supported by (victorious) presidential candidate Tabaré Vázquez and his Broad Front coalition. Friends of the Earth also supported the move, saying it "sets a key precedent for the protection of water worldwide, by enshrining these principles into the national constitution of one country by means of direct democracy."[2]

Results

Choice Votes %
For 1,440,006 64.60
Against 788,924 35.40
Invalid/blank votes 0 –
Total 2,228,930 100
Registered voters/turnout 2,486,994 89.62
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

In May 2005, the government stated that contracts with private water companies would be honoured until their expiry.

See also

References

  1. ^ Making water privatisation illegal: New laws in Netherlands and Uruguay Archived 2007-03-28 at the Wayback Machine PSIRU
  2. ^ Uruguay: Referendum Gives Resounding ‘No’ to the Privatisation of Water Archived 2007-04-11 at the Wayback Machine IPS, 1 November 2004

External links

  • Politics Data Bank at the Social Sciences School - Universidad de la República (Uruguay)
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