Grenada Constitutional Referendum 2018: Results and Legal Implications
On 6 November 2018, the citizens of Grenada headed to the polls to decide on a significant shift in their judicial architecture. The referendum centered on a proposed amendment to the constitution regarding the nation's final court of appeal and the naming of its Supreme Court.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
The Proposed Constitutional Change
The core of the 2018 bill was the proposal to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)—an international court established to serve as the highest judicial authority for member states in the Caribbean—as Grenada's final court of appeal. If passed, this would have replaced the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which currently serves as the ultimate legal authority for the nation.
In addition to the change in the final appellate court, the bill proposed the renaming of the Supreme Court of Grenada.
Referendum Results
The proposal was ultimately rejected by the electorate. A majority of voters opted to maintain the status quo, keeping the Privy Council as the final court of appeal. This outcome mirrored a previous attempt in 2016, where a slightly different proposal for a similar judicial shift was also rejected by the public.
| Choice | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 9,848 | 44.80% |
| No | 12,134 | 55.20% |
| Invalid or Blank | 119 | 0.54% |
| Total Valid Votes | 21,982 | 99.46% |
With a total of 22,101 votes cast from a registered voter base of 79,410, the voter turnout for the referendum was 27.83%.
Key Facts
- Date: 6 November 2018.
- Primary Goal: To replace the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
- Outcome: Rejected (55.20% voted "No").
- Turnout: 27.83% of registered voters.
- Regional Context: Antigua and Barbuda held a similar referendum on joining the CCJ on the same day, which also failed to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main purpose of the 2018 Grenada referendum?
The referendum sought voter approval to amend the constitution to make the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) the final court of appeal for Grenada, replacing the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Did the proposal to rename the Supreme Court pass?
No. Because the overall bill proposing both the change in the final court of appeal and the renaming of the Supreme Court was rejected, the changes did not take effect.
How many people voted in the referendum?
A total of 22,101 votes were cast, representing a turnout of 27.83% of the 79,410 registered voters.
Was this the first time Grenada attempted this change?
No, a similar proposal was put to a referendum in 2016, but it was also rejected by the voters.
Did other Caribbean nations vote on this issue at the same time?
Yes, Antigua and Barbuda also held a referendum on joining the Caribbean Court of Justice on 6 November 2018, and that vote also failed to pass.