1975 Malagasy constitutional referendum

1975 Malagasy constitutional referendum

21 December 1975
Are you in favor of the 'Red Book', the new constitution and a seven-year term for Captain Didier Ratsiraka?
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 3,213,146 95.57% No 148,868 4.43% Valid votes 3,362,014 99.05% Invalid or blank votes 32,101 0.95% Total votes 3,394,115 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 3,698,541 91.77%

A constitutional referendum was held in Madagascar on 21 December 1975. The new constitution created a presidential republic, with the president serving seven-year terms and incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka was to serve the first term without being elected. It also created a High Revolutionary Council to create a "socialist revolution" and a military committee to oversee socio-economic development. Madagascar was transformed into the Democratic Republic of Madagascar. All political parties with the exception of those "loyal to the socialist revolution" were to be banned, and those that were allowed to exist would have to be affiliated with the National Front for the Defense of the Revolution, which was led by Ratsiraka's AREMA party.^[1]

The constitution was approved by 95.57% of voters with a 92% voter turnout.^[1]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		3,213,146	95.57
Against		148,868	4.43
Total		3,362,014	100.00
Valid votes		3,362,014	99.05
Invalid/blank votes		32,101	0.95
Total votes		3,394,115	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		3,698,541	91.77
Source: EISA

References

1. Madagascar: 1975 Constitutional referendum EISA