At stake in this Referendum:

• Approval for the construction of a third set of locks in the Panama Canal to increase the canal's capacity and to allow large tonnage ships to cross the canal, as well as to accommodate increase in traffic from all types of ships.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino *
• Head of Government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino
• Assembly: Panama has a unicameral National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) with 78 seats.

* The president is both the chief of state and head of government.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Approval for the construction of a third set of locks in the Panama Canal to increase the canal's capacity and to allow large tonnage ships to cross the canal, as well as to accommodate increase in traffic from all types of ships.* Do you approve the proposal for the construction of the third set of locks in the Panama Canal?

Population and Registered Voters:

• Population: 3,378,600 (2006)
• Registered Voters: 2,132,842 (2006)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 1,619,330 (2004)

·         Is Panama a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (26 June 1980)

·         Has Panama ratified CEDAW: Yes (29 October 1981)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 13 (following the 2004 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 60 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Panama a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)

·         Has Panama ratified CRPD: Yes (7 August 2007)

·         Population with a disability: 489,091 (est.)