2002 Saint Helena referendum

2002 01 21 2002 02 01 y Saint Helena [_] I WOULD LIKE to have an airport on St Helena, with alternative arrangements being made for shipping.[_] I WOULD NOT LIKE to have an airport but would like to have a replacement RMS St Helena. Airport New ship 1,577 626 13 4,473 A referendum on building a new airfield or replacing RMS St Helena was held in Saint Helena between 21 January and 1 February 2002.St. Helena, 1 February 2002: Airport or new ship Direct Democracy de Around 72% voted in favour of the airport, although critics claimed that the referendum was slanted in favour of this option.Saint Helena: Mixed reactions over airport plans BBC News, 16 August 2002 Background RMS St Helena was the island's only connection with the outside world, but required replacing at an estimated cost of £26 million. The cost of the alternative option of a new airport was estimated at £50 million. The island's Executive Council initially rejected holding a referendum, but agreed to do so on 8 January 2002. All Saint Helena citizens aged over 16 and based in Saint Helena, Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands and on board RMS St Helena were eligible to vote. Voters were given the options: I WOULD LIKE to have an airport on St Helena, with alternative arrangements being made for shipping. I WOULD NOT LIKE to have an airport but would like to have a replacement RMS St Helena. Results ChoiceVotes%Airport1,57771.58New ship62628.42Invalid/blank votes13–Total2,216100Registered voters/turnout4,47349.54Source: Direct Democracy References Category:Referendums in Saint Helena Category:2002 referendums Category:2002 in Saint Helena