By DARLINGTON CHILUBA A REFERENDUM, by a slightly loose definition is a call on the (voting) public to decide on a matter or related matters of importance. Most constitutions have a clause explaining the necessity for a referendum when certain matters of national importance arise. Instead of waiting for a full election in which that important matter could be diluted or cushioned by other issues that arise during elections, a referendum becomes a better effective option. Dictators and democrats alike are not opposed referenda. Democratic politics rely on referenda to get a better picture of the national temperature on key issues. Real listening governments create debate around such key issues and use dialogue to convince or connive. Ultimately, the public will have their say because there must be debate and intelligence to converse with conviction and patience among citizens. What must be understood is that it is the prerogative of any government to call for […]
REFERENDUM AND PEOPLE POWER
