July 23-24, 2000: 86

July 23-24, 2000: 86.53 percent of valid votes cast in a national referendum backed the adoption of a new constitution which as well as lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 also provided for the abolition of the death penalty. The referendum was the first step towards the transition to a civil government after the military coup in December 1999. The military leader, General Robert Guei was one of the most fervent supporters of the constitutional referendum.