PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE #13

Palikir, POHNPEI (4TH FSM Con-Con) –

The 4th FSM Constitutional Convention adopted a resolution requesting His Excellency President David W. Panuelo to call for a special election on the proposed amendment to Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia to lower the percentage of votes cast required in each State to adopt amendments to the FSM Constitution.  The proposed amendment to Article XIV, Section 1 was the first proposed amendment adopted by the 4th Constitutional Convention and was adopted on March 12th.  If the proposed amendment to Article XIV, Section 1 is approved then the number of votes need to approve a constitutional amendment will be lowered from 3/4 of the votes cast in 3/4 of the States to 2/3 of the votes cast in 3/4 of the States.  The Resolution requests the special election so that if adopted, the lower 2/3 of the votes cast in 3/4 of the States will be used in the March 2021 referendum.

Due to the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic due to the novel coronavirus and the recommendation to avoid large gatherings, the 4th FSM Constitutional Convention recessed today subject to the call of the Convention President.

The Conventions actions are recorded in Constitutional Convention Resolution Nos. CC-RES-04-10 and CC-RES-04-11.