***************************** Referendum on the 8 th Amendment *********************************
The referendum on abortion took place on Friday the 25 th of May in Ireland.
Polling stations opened their doors at 7 am and polling continued until 10 pm. Counting started the following morning.
The referendum was held in order to repel the eight amendment and have the change written into the constitution'
This article outlines some of the main point in repealing the eight amendement
One of the many signs directing to the polling booths
Yes or No
What the referendum means is that the government proposes to implement new laws that would allow abortion up to
12 weeks of pregnancy without restriction. The electorate are being asked to vote Yes or No to repel the amendment.
through a general practioner led service.
Abortion pills which are available and also rape resulting in pregnancy have brought on this decision
The act will allow abortion in certain circumstances eg risk to or loss of life including suicide of the mother
2 signatures are required from a general practitioner and a gynecologist in order for this to take place
Certification by the medical practitioners are as follows.
1 = Risk of life to the pregnant woman or a risk of serious harm to her.
2 = The foetus has not reached viability.
3 = The termination of pregnancy is an appropriate way to avert the risk .
So to summarize Yes vote = 8 th amendment will be removed and legislation that would remove the protection of life
during pregnancy and allow abortion in special circumstances.
No vote = no change and article 40 3 3 remains.
Result of referendum
Yes vote = 66. 4% Win
No vote = 33 .6 % Lose
The turnout was the largest ever in a referendum 64 . 13 %
Posters hung from lamp posts around Ireland
