This article possibly contains original research.(May 2014) |
A referendum was held in Northern Ireland on 22 May 1998 over whether there was support for the Good Friday Agreement. The result was a majority (71.1%) in favour. A simultaneous referendum held in the Republic of Ireland produced an even larger majority (94.4%) in favour.
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Do you support the agreement reached at the multi-party talks on Northern Ireland and set out in Command Paper 3883? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The total number of people who voted (both referendums) was 2,499,078.
Party support
All the main UK political parties (Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat) supported the Yes campaign, though the Northern Ireland branch of the Conservatives supported the No campaign.[citation needed] Of the local Northern Ireland parties represented in the Northern Ireland Peace Forum, the Ulster Unionist Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Alliance, Progressive Unionist Party, Ulster Democratic Party, Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and local "Labour" groups supported the proposals.
The only two parties in the Forum to campaign against the Agreement were the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Unionist Party, though many prominent individuals in the Ulster Unionists also did so. Some minor parties campaigned against it. Republican Sinn Féin, which at the time did not run candidates in Northern Ireland, still opposes the agreement.
In the Republic of Ireland, all parties represented in the Oireachtas were in favour – Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Progressive Democrats, Democratic Left, Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Socialist Party.
Results
Northern Ireland
The referendum saw a large majority 'Yes' vote across the province on Friday 22 May 1998. The votes were counted the next day. A total of 1,738 ballots were spoiled. Turnout, at 81.1%, was very high for a developed country where voting is not compulsory. Turnout in the equivalent referendum in the Republic of Ireland was average for a constitutional referendum but returned almost universal approval (94.39%).
Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum, 1998 National result | |||
Choice | Votes | % | |
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Yes | 676,966 | 71.12% | |
No | 274,979 | 28.88% | |
Valid votes | 951,845 | 99.81% | |
Invalid or blank votes | 1,738 | 0.19% | |
Total votes | 953,683 | 100.00% | |
Registered voters and turnout | 1,175,403 | 81.14% |
National referendum results (excluding invalid votes) | |
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Yes 676,966 (71.1%) | No 274,979 (28.9%) |
▲ 50% |
Republic of Ireland
The referendum in the Republic of Ireland was held on the same day but rather than explicitly seeking approval of the Agreement itself it sought endorsement of constitutional amendments required by the Agreement, and produced an overwhelming Yes vote.
Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland National Result | |||
Choice | Votes | % | |
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Yes | 1,442,583 | 94.39% | |
No | 85,748 | 5.61% | |
Valid votes | 1,528,331 | 98.90% | |
Invalid or blank votes | 17,064 | 1.10% | |
Total votes | 1,545,345 | 100.00% | |
Registered voters and turnout | 2,747,088 | 56.26% |
National referendum results (excluding invalid votes) | |
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Yes 1,442,583 (94.4%) | |
▲ 50% |
Turnout
The turnout in Northern Ireland was noticeably high at 81.1% and also quite high evenly throughout Northern Ireland, compared to many elections where turnout is highest in strong nationalist areas and significantly lower in unionist areas. It is estimated that approximately 147,000 people who do not normally vote in elections turned out to vote in the referendum, most of them in traditionally staunch unionist areas. In the Republic the turnout was lower, at 56.3%.
Legislative responses
The UK Parliament passed the Northern Ireland Act 1998, while in the Republic the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution Act 1998 passed into law.
See also
- Referendums in the United Kingdom
- 1973 Northern Ireland border poll
References
- ARK: Northern Ireland Elections, The 1998 Referendums Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
Author: www.NiNa.Az
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This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed May 2014 Learn how and when to remove this message A referendum was held in Northern Ireland on 22 May 1998 over whether there was support for the Good Friday Agreement The result was a majority 71 1 in favour A simultaneous referendum held in the Republic of Ireland produced an even larger majority 94 4 in favour 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum22 May 1998Do you support the agreement reached at the multi party talks on Northern Ireland and set out in Command Paper 3883 ResultsChoice Votes Yes 676 966 71 12 No 274 879 28 88 Valid votes 951 845 99 81 Invalid or blank votes 1 738 0 18 Total votes 953 683 100 00 Registered voters turnout 1 175 403 81 14 The total number of people who voted both referendums was 2 499 078 Party supportAll the main UK political parties Labour Conservative and Liberal Democrat supported the Yes campaign though the Northern Ireland branch of the Conservatives supported the No campaign citation needed Of the local Northern Ireland parties represented in the Northern Ireland Peace Forum the Ulster Unionist Party Social Democratic and Labour Party Sinn Fein Alliance Progressive Unionist Party Ulster Democratic Party Northern Ireland Women s Coalition and local Labour groups supported the proposals The only two parties in the Forum to campaign against the Agreement were the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Unionist Party though many prominent individuals in the Ulster Unionists also did so Some minor parties campaigned against it Republican Sinn Fein which at the time did not run candidates in Northern Ireland still opposes the agreement In the Republic of Ireland all parties represented in the Oireachtas were in favour Fianna Fail Fine Gael Labour Progressive Democrats Democratic Left Green Party Sinn Fein and the Socialist Party ResultsNorthern Ireland The referendum saw a large majority Yes vote across the province on Friday 22 May 1998 The votes were counted the next day A total of 1 738 ballots were spoiled Turnout at 81 1 was very high for a developed country where voting is not compulsory Turnout in the equivalent referendum in the Republic of Ireland was average for a constitutional referendum but returned almost universal approval 94 39 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum 1998 National result Choice Votes Yes 676 966 71 12 No 274 979 28 88 Valid votes 951 845 99 81 Invalid or blank votes 1 738 0 19 Total votes 953 683 100 00 Registered voters and turnout 1 175 403 81 14 National referendum results excluding invalid votes Yes 676 966 71 1 No 274 979 28 9 50 Republic of Ireland The referendum in the Republic of Ireland was held on the same day but rather than explicitly seeking approval of the Agreement itself it sought endorsement of constitutional amendments required by the Agreement and produced an overwhelming Yes vote Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland National Result Choice Votes Yes 1 442 583 94 39 No 85 748 5 61 Valid votes 1 528 331 98 90 Invalid or blank votes 17 064 1 10 Total votes 1 545 345 100 00 Registered voters and turnout 2 747 088 56 26 National referendum results excluding invalid votes Yes 1 442 583 94 4 50 TurnoutThe turnout in Northern Ireland was noticeably high at 81 1 and also quite high evenly throughout Northern Ireland compared to many elections where turnout is highest in strong nationalist areas and significantly lower in unionist areas It is estimated that approximately 147 000 people who do not normally vote in elections turned out to vote in the referendum most of them in traditionally staunch unionist areas In the Republic the turnout was lower at 56 3 Legislative responsesThe UK Parliament passed the Northern Ireland Act 1998 while in the Republic the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution Act 1998 passed into law See alsoReferendums in the United Kingdom 1973 Northern Ireland border pollReferencesARK Northern Ireland Elections The 1998 Referendums Archived 2012 02 09 at the Wayback Machine