Referendum

A referendum (in some countries synonymous with plebiscite — or a vote on a ballot question) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new law.

Some definitions of plebiscite suggest that it is a type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country. Others define it as the opposite. Australia defines 'referendum' as a vote to change the constitution and 'plebiscite' as a vote that does not affect the constitution. In contrast, Ireland has only ever held one 'plebiscite' which was the vote to adopt its constitution and each other similar vote has been styled a 'referendum'.

Terminology

Referendum is the gerund of the Latin verb refero, and has the meaning "bringing back" (i.e., bringing the question back to the people). The term plebiscite has a generally similar meaning in modern usage, and comes from the Latin plebiscita, which originally meant a decree of the Concilium Plebis (Plebeian Council), the popular assembly of the Roman Republic. Today, a "referendum" can also often be referred to as a "plebiscite", but in some countries the two terms are used differently to refer to votes with differing types of legal consequences.

Mary Boyoi

Mary Boyoi, singer, human rights activist and philanthropist, is from the Murle tribe of South Sudan. She was born in Malakal, South Sudan in 1980, three years before the civil war erupted.

Her father, a Murle chief and military commander within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) was killed in 1989. After her father’s death, she and her family spent a number of years in displaced camps in Sudan and refugee camps in Ethiopia to avoid conflicts of the war.

She continued her higher education in Kenya and completed a series of diploma courses. In 2002, she began working for humanitarian relief agencies in various locations throughout South Sudan.

It’s through humanitarian work that Mary found her passion – helping others. Mary uses her exceptional talents in music to shed light on issues and calls for peace and reconciliation among her people. In 2005 she founded ABONA International, a nonprofit organization aimed supporting peace throughout South Sudan and providing assistance to girls and young women in violent and destructive situations.In 2007 she began work on her first music project, “Referendum”.

Scottish referendum

Scottish referendum may refer to any one of several referendums in Scotland: