Maltese divorce referendum, 2011

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Maltese divorce referendum
The legalization of divorce in Malta
Results
Votes  %
Yes check.svg Yes 122,547 53.16%
X mark.svg No 107,971 46.84%
Valid votes 230,518 99.07%
Invalid or blank votes 2,173 0.93%
Total votes 232,691 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 325,102 71.57%
Results by districts
  Yes
  No
Note: Saturation of colour denotes strength of vote

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A referendum on divorce was held in Malta on 28 May 2011. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new law to introduce allow divorces, as at that time, Malta was one of only three countries in the world (along with the Philippines and the Vatican City)[1] in which divorce was not permitted.[2] The proposal was approved by 53% of voters, resulting in a law allowing divorce under certain conditions being enacted later in the year.

Background

A private member's bill was tabled in the House of Representatives by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, a Nationalist Member of Parliament.[3] The text of the bill, which had been changed twice, did not provide for the holding of a referendum. This was eventually provided for through a separate Parliamentary resolution under the Referenda Act authorising a facultative, non-binding referendum to be held.

The Catholic Church in Malta encouraged a "no" vote through a pastoral letter issued on the Sunday before the referendum day.[4] Complaints were made that religious pressure was being brought to bear upon voters.[5] Around 8 per cent of marriages in Malta are already annulled by the Catholic Church.[5]

Question

Ballot papers had both English and Maltese questions printed on them. The English version of the question put to voters was as follows:

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Do you agree with the introduction of the option of divorce in the case of a married couple who has been separated or has been living apart for at least four (4) years, and where there is no reasonable hope for reconciliation between the spouses, whilst adequate maintenance is guaranteed and the children are protected?[6]

The question, which resembled the proposal approved by Irish voters in the Irish divorce referendum of 1995, was somewhat controversial. It was claimed that it did not reflect the content of the private member's bill.[7]

Results

Choice Votes %
For 122,547 53.16
Against 107,971 46.84
Invalid/blank votes 2,173
Total 232,691 100
Registered voters/turnout 325,102 71.57
Source: Department of Information

Although for the referendum the whole country was considered as a single constituency, taking into account electoral districts, only three out of thirteen voted "no" to the referendum question.[1]

Aftermath

Discussion on the divorce bill started in earnest soon after the result was announced. In the second and third readings a number of MPs still voted against the bill. Parliament approved the law on 25 July. The law came into effect on 1 October.[8]

See also

References

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  3. Motion No. 206 – Private Members Bill – Civil Code (Amendt) Bill – (1st Reading) – Presented by Hon Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando MP and Hon Evarist Bartolo MP (the Eleventh Parliament)
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  6. Writ by the President of Malta dated 28th March, 2011 Department of Information
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