A plebiscite is a vote that allows citizens to make a decision on a specific issue.
From the Latin plebiscitum , a plebiscite is a resolution taken by a people based on a plurality of votes . This is a consultation carried out by public powers so that citizens express themselves through direct popular vote regarding a certain proposal.
The plebiscite is an election that arises at the proposal of the constitutional representatives. It is usually created from the "yes or no" formula, where voters must answer the question posed by an electoral body.
Example of plebiscite
For example: a mining company offers millions of dollars to a small town to exploit new mines. Although the money could be very useful for the local economy , residents are aware of the environmental risks of the proposal. The authorities, therefore, decide to hold a plebiscite so that the people can express themselves and decide on the convenience, or not, of mining exploitation.
The plebiscite, therefore, is a mechanism of semi-direct democracy . Nowadays, it is usually used to complement the regime of representative democracy . The leaders elected by society , in this case, require public consultation to decide on a certain matter that they consider sensitive to social life.
Binding or consultative process
It is important to keep in mind that plebiscites can be binding (the result of the vote yields a mandatory measure) or advisory (the result is only valid as a method of consultation for the leaders who will make the decision on the matter).
In the case of our example, if the plebiscite ends with "no" as the winner, there are two possibilities: if the consultation were binding, mining exploitation would not be carried out in any way. On the other hand, if the consultation were advisory, the political power would still have the possibility of approving the exploitation.
Many times plebiscites are carried out with the “Yes” / “No” formula.
Differences between plebiscite and referendum
Although the plebiscite and the referendum are two of the most significant tools of citizen participation , there are certain differences between them that are often overlooked, given the indiscriminate use of both terms in everyday speech.
The plebiscite is used by the head of Government to submit very important actions or decisions for life in the city to the people's consideration, before their execution. The referendum allows the people to cast their vote to approve or reject the conception, modification or repeal of a law .
In both cases, you can make your request:
* 0.4 percent of citizens registered on the nominal list of voters;
* the equivalent of 10 percent of the Citizen Committees,
* a minimum of 8 of the delegation Citizen Councils.
To request a referendum, on the other hand, a deputy (at least) can also address the Legislative Assembly.
In other words, the referendum serves to give the people the possibility of approving or rejecting a law, while the plebiscite gives rise to public opinion on administrative issues that affect them directly, as occurs with the construction of a bridge
How to start the process
Any group of people registered on the electoral roll can request either of these two measures by submitting a detailed petition, which states the act or law that they wish to submit to consultation, as well as the reasons for demanding such right, all signed with basic personal information for identification of citizens.
From then on, each case requires a different procedure:
* the request for a plebiscite can be approved or rejected by the head of Government within the first 60 calendar days;
* The referendum becomes effective if the Legislative Assembly approves it and issues its call 30 days before its execution.