Last week, eligible voters resident in the Falkland Islands had the opportunity to express their feelings about continuation of political arrangements which treat the islands as a kind of protectorate of Britain. I'm not sure whether the referendum included alternatives such as Independence, or transfer of allegiance to Argentina which maintains the belief that the islands properly belong in it's orbit.
Whatever, the result of the 2 day poll was a remarkable 99.8% in favour of remaining in the care of Britain, which sounds like the sort of thing that used to emerge from so-called elections in the communist world. However, this one is apparently 'ridgy-didge' genuine.
Though there are apparently no up-to-date census figures currently available for the Falklands, the population is 'about 2900' permanent residents. Of those, 1518 are eligible voters. 1513 lodged ballots favouring YES. One ballot was rejected (no reason given), while one was 'unaccounted for'. That leaves 3 ballots against the proposal.
It's reported that the islanders are now pre-occupied with the mystery of who doesn't want a continued association with Britain?
Intrigue! You have to love it!
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