Haifan independence referendum, 1662
| Should Haifa be an independent country? | ||||
| Results | ||||
| Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,541,870 | 51.46% | ||
| No | 1,439,997 | 48.06% | ||
| Valid votes | 2,981,867 | 99.52% | ||
| Invalid votes | 14,383 | 0.48% | ||
| Total votes | 2,996,250 | 100.00% | ||
The Haifan Independence Referendum, 1662, commonly known as "the IndyRef" in Caputian media, was an independence referendum held in the Caputian state of Haifa, from the Norton dates of 10 II 1663 to 12 II 1663. It is the result of the Haifa Referendum Act passed in the 2nd Caputian Parliament, and enforced by a subsequent Order-in-Council.
The referendum question was "Should Haifa be an independent country?", which was answered "Yes" by 1,541,870 votes (51.46%) and "No" by 1,439,997 votes (48.06%), on a turnout of 47%.
The Unionist Government (a coalition of the national parties: the NSP, the NUP, and the Liberal League) of the state of Haifa as well as the Prime Minister of Caputia, Royston Merrick, have argued that the turnout rate undermines an already very narrow result. The Haifan nationalist party, Hatnuah, and its supporters argue that the referendum is binding, with its leader Leia Clemens maintaining "the results are an accurate representation of the aspirations of the Haifan people."
The election results were certified by both the election authorities of the government of the state of Haifa and the Royal Election Commission. Soon after the certification the night of 12 II 1663, confrontations between law enforcement and independence supporters led to 70 dead in the cities of Abeis, Keybir-Aviv, and Diamandis.
Free Haifa was the main campaign group for independence, supported by Hatnuah. The Unionist campaign was This Is Our Union, supported by the NUP, the NSP, and the Liberal League. The campaign centered around public expenditure, national resources, and on the arrangement of a newly established Haifan independent state. Exit polls by the Caputian Institute of Public Opinion revealed that for "Yes"-voters, their biggest motivation was retaining all profits and proceeds from natural resources extracted and dissafection with politics in Zalae. For "No"-voters, it was tied between keeping the Caputian laurel and maintaining the monarchy with Queen Elizabeth I of Caputia.
Overview
- Brief overview of the Free State of Haifa (history, founding, independence), the collapse of Free State, Haifan diaspora.
- Haifa in Hamland, Hammish Civil War
- Birth of nationalist movements, rise of Hatnuah
- Caputian general election, 1660
- Haifa Referendum Act, 1661, Enforcement Acts, etc.
Administration
- By the Royal Elections Commission and the local election management government agencies of the state of Haifa. Funded by the national Government from general appropriations.
- Roll of voters, voter registration drives, voter education campaigns.
Election Date
- Dates of election.
Election System
- Question, ballot
- Haifa divided into electoral precincts and regions for counting
- Certification of results
Campaigns
- Free Haifa: independence campaign, led by Hatnuah
- This Is Our Union: unionist campaign, composed of all the national parties and some local unionist activists
The pro-independence campaign was "Free Haifa", and used the colors of the Free State of Haifa.
The unionist campaign was "This Is Our Union", which used the colors of the Caputian flag.
The unionist campaign ran hard on preserving the union and the monarchy, banking on Queen Elizabeth I's wide popularity.
Independence activists popularized "Hands Off Haifa!" as a pro-independence chant.
Results
Aftermath
- Violence between law enforcement and pro-independence protesters
- Reaction of government, Caputians
- Reaction of foreign governments
- Political debates in the Parliament, way forward
- Allegations of voter fraud
- Allegations of voter intimidation
- Voting irregularities
