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Phanama · 02-22-2021, 01:15 PM

Phanaman 2021 Federal Referendums: What You Need to Know
By Jessica Fairvale
Monday, 22 February 2021

Phanama's nuclear arsenal and forests - the subjects of the referendums

Phanama — Two referendums on two completely unrelated topics - Phanama’s nuclear arsenal and Phanama’s forests - are scheduled to take place this year. In this article, we look at why these referendums are happening, and more.

Ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In October last year, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (or TPNW for short) was adopted in the World Forum. The treaty prohibits its signatories from developing, possessing, acquiring, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons, and gives each signatory state until the end of 2024 to destroy their nuclear weapons and eliminate their nuclear weapons programme.

Phanama has already begun dismantling its nuclear weapons and the process is expected to be complete by the middle of the year.

A bill regarding Phanama’s ratification of the TPNW passed both houses of the National Assembly, however, because the bill regards signing a treaty, the final decision lies in the people’s hands.

According to the Constitution, any bill regarding international treaties MUST be accepted by a majority of Phanaman voters in a majority of Phanaman provinces, through a referendum. This means that a majority of voters in at least 4 of the 7 provinces have to vote in favour of Phanama ratifying the TPNW, for Phanama to do so.

The referendum is scheduled to take place on the 17th of April and mail-in ballots were distributed this past weekend, along with the arguments for and against Phanama ratifying the treaty.

'Tu Iy ín Albari' Initiative

In August last year, a bill amending the Forest Protection Act passed both houses of the National Assembly. The amendment included the creation of the ‘Tu Iy ín Albari’ (which translates to ‘Your Age in Trees’ in Austral) Initiative; every year on the 21st of September, everyone in Phanama above the age of 12 would have to plant a number of trees equivalent to their age and ensure the trees grow.

Olivya Fidena, the Minister of Energy, the Environment & Emissions Management said, “This initiative aims to increase Phanama’s forest cover and increase greenery in the country.”

Citizens managed to collect over 134,000 signatures of people opposing the amendment to the Forest Protection Act, so a referendum has to be organised*. If a majority of voters in at least 4 of the 7 provinces vote against the amendment, then the amendment will be repealed.

The referendum is scheduled to take place on the 3rd of July and mail-in ballots, along with arguments for and against repealing the amendment, will be delivered by the 8th of May.

*In Phanama, citizens are allowed to oppose laws and amendments passed by the National Assembly, if they collect at least 120,000 valid signatures. If this number of signatures is reached, then a referendum must be organised on that law or amendment.