Vincentians vote on referendum

Vincentians are voting today in a referendum on whether to adopt a new constitution.



The governing Unity Labour Party, led by Prime Minster Dr Ralph Gonzalves, has been campaigning for a new constitution, but this has not been supported by the opposition New Democratic Party.



More than 98 thousand people are eligible to vote in the referendum.



A two-thirds majority is needed to adopt a proposed constitution that would replace the charter that was established when the country gained political independence in 1979.



If the charter is approved, St Vincent and the Grenadines would join other Caribbean countries that have enacted new constitutions in recent months, including the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic.



Under the proposed constitution the British monarch would be replaced by a President as the head of state.