At stake in this Referendum:

• Referendum to approve a set of constitutional reforms including a proposed change for allowing President Balladares to run for a second term.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES
• Head of Government: President Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES
• Assembly: Panama has a unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) with 72 seats.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Referendum on a proposed constitutional change that would allow President Ernesto Perez Balladares to seek re-election. A proposed constitutional change that would allow President Ernesto Perez Balladares to seek re-election.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 2,911,383 (1998)
• Registered Voters: 1,718,870 (August 1998)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 1,443,638 (1998)

·         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: 6 (following the 1994 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: 436,707 (est.)