Comorian independence referendum, 1974
Encyclopedia
An independence referendum was held in the Comoros
on 22 December 1974. The overall result was a strong "yes" vote, with 94.57% of voters voting for independence and almost all the "no" votes being cast in Mayotte
, where there was a majority for remaining under French
control. In contrast, on Mohéli
only five out of 6,059 votes were against independence. Voter turnout was 93.3%.
Following the referendum, the country declared independence on 6 July 1975, with Mayotte remaining under French control.
Comoros
The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between northeastern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar...
on 22 December 1974. The overall result was a strong "yes" vote, with 94.57% of voters voting for independence and almost all the "no" votes being cast in Mayotte
Mayotte
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and...
, where there was a majority for remaining under French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
control. In contrast, on Mohéli
Mohéli
Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni...
only five out of 6,059 votes were against independence. Voter turnout was 93.3%.
Following the referendum, the country declared independence on 6 July 1975, with Mayotte remaining under French control.
Results
Island | For | Against | Invalid votes |
Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,... |
58,897 | 99.93 | 44 | 0.07 | 4 | 58,945 |
Grande Comore Grande Comore Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital... |
84,123 | 99.98 | 21 | 0.02 | 39 | 84,183 |
Mayotte Mayotte Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and... |
5,110 | 36.78 | 8,783 | 63.22 | 84 | 13,977 |
Mohéli Mohéli Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni... |
6,054 | 99.92 | 5 | 0.08 | 3 | 6,062 |
Total | 154,184 | 94.57 | 8,853 | 5.43 | 130 | 163,167 |
Source: African Elections Database |