Electoral Commission: More than 1.1 million votes of support are needed to introduce multiple citizenship

More than 1.1 million votes in favor of the constitutional amendment would be needed to legalize multiple citizenship, said MP Dalia Asanavičiūtė, citing estimates by the election supervision commission.

“The Central Electoral Commission (VRK) estimated that more than 1.1 million votes “for” were needed for us to amend Article 12 of the constitution. This is a really big number,” said the conservative MP at a press conference in the Sejm.

It was held in order to present the work of the Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community at the spring session of the Seimas.

The Commission also authorized the Sejm ad hoc group for referendum preparations to ask lawyers for a legal assessment of Art. 12 of the constitution. This group should also submit a request to the WPE to speed up work on the feasibility study of online voting.

MP Asanavičiūtė also stressed the importance of cementing ties with the Lithuanian diaspora.

“It is also important to improve the cooperation mechanism. The presentation of the strategic guidelines and the “Global Lithuania 2023-2030” action plan showed how to further strengthen relations with the diaspora, how to strengthen the organization of the diaspora itself,” she said.

As previously reported, on April 6, the Sejm took the first step towards a mandatory referendum on citizenship. MPs approved a draft resolution proposing a mandatory referendum on May 12, 2024, when Lithuanian voters could vote on amending the constitution, which would introduce multiple citizenship.

The proposed amendment to Art. 12 of the Constitution would lift the ban on dual citizenship from the Lithuanian Basic Law.

The initiative is currently being considered by the Committee on Legal Affairs and is due to return to plenary on 18 May.

A mandatory referendum is to be held together with the presidential election.

source:
ELTA, photo: BNS/Irmantas Gelūnas