1993 Eritrean independence referendum

An independence referendum was held in Eritrea, at the time part of Ethiopia, between 23 and 25 April 1993. The result was 99.83% in favour, with a turnout in excess of 93%.^[1] Independence from Ethiopia was declared on 27 April.

1993 Eritrean independence referendum

23–25 April 1993
Do you approve that Eritrea should become an independent sovereign state?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 1,100,260 99.83% No 1,822 0.17% Valid votes 1,102,082 99.97% Invalid or blank votes 328 0.03% Total votes 1,102,410 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 1,173,706 93.93%

Sign commemorating the referendum

Conduct

The UN Observer Mission to Verify the Referendum in Eritrea (UNOVER) was established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 47/114 of 16 December 1992 and lasted until 25 April 1993.^[2] The goals of the mission were to verify the impartiality of the referendum, report claims of irregularities, and verify the counting, computation and announcement of the results.

The referendum was completed under budget,^[3] and was considered free and fair.^[2]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		1,100,260	99.83
Against		1,822	0.17
Total		1,102,082	100.00
Valid votes		1,102,082	99.97
Invalid/blank votes		328	0.03
Total votes		1,102,410	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,173,706	93.93
Source: African Elections Database

By area

Area	For		Against		Invalid	Total
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Asmara	128,443	99.89	144	0.11	33	128,620
Barka	44,425	99.89	47	0.11	0	44,472
Denkalia	25,907	99.65	91	0.35	29	26,027
Gash-Setit	73,236	99.63	270	0.37	0	73,506
Hamasien	76,654	99.92	59	0.08	3	76,716
Akkele Guzay	92,465	99.84	147	0.16	22	92,634
Sahel	51,015	99.72	141	0.28	31	51,187
Semhar	33,596	99.66	113	0.34	41	33,750
Seraye	124,725	99.94	72	0.06	12	124,809
Senhit	78,513	99.97	26	0.03	1	78,540
Freedom fighters	77,512	99.97	21	0.03	46	77,579
Sudan	153,706	99.77	352	0.23	0	154,058
Ethiopia	57,466	99.65	204	0.35	36	57,706
Other	82,597	99.84	135	0.16	74	82,806
Total	1,100,260	99.83	1,822	0.17	328	1,102,410
Source: Eritrea: Birth of a Nation

See also

• Eritrean War of Independence