May 1990 Colombian Constitutional Assembly referendum

May 1990 Colombian Constitutional Assembly referendum

27 May 1990
To strengthen participatory democracy, do you vote for the convocation of a Constitutional Assembly with representation of the social, political and regional forces of the nation, democratically and popularly integrated to reform the Political Constitution of Colombia?
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 5,236,863 95.79% No 230,080 4.21% Valid votes 5,466,943 92.80% Invalid or blank votes 424,174 7.20% Total votes 5,891,117 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 13,903,324 42.37%

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A referendum on electing a Constitutional Assembly was held in Colombia on 27 May 1990 alongside presidential elections.^[1] The proposal was approved by 96% of voters.^[1] A Constitutional Assembly was later elected in December 1990 and produced the 1991 constitution.

After the murder of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán in August 1989, students started a movement calling for a referendum "for peace and democracy" to be held on 21 January 1990.^[2] However, under pressure from drug cartels, the government rejected the proposal. The students then set up the "We can still save Colombia" movement, which called for a referendum alongside the general elections on 11 March 1990 on establishing a Constitutional Assembly. The referendum saw 2,235,493 vote in favour and 117,000 vote against.^[2]

Following the unofficial referendum, President Virgilio Barco Vargas issued decree 927 on 3 May calling a referendum on electing a Constitutional Assembly alongside the presidential elections on 27 May.^[1] Although this was in violation of article 114^[3] of the constitution, which gave Congress sole rights to reform the constitution, the referendum was approved by the Supreme Court.^[1]