Question

General Pervez Musharraf was the military leader who led a military coup in 1999. He conducted a referendum based on which he changed his designation to ‘President’. What is a referendum?

• A. A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
• B. A direct vote in which the elected representatives are asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
• C. A direct vote in which the opposition is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
• D. A direct vote in which the political parties are asked to either accept or reject a proposal.

Answer 1

The correct option is A A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.

A referendum is a mechanism through which people are asked to vote on government policy. They can either agree or disagree with the policy. For instance, in Pakistan, Musharraf declared himself the “Chief Executive” of the country. His actions did not have the direct approval of the people. So he conducted a referendum based on which he changed his designation to ‘President’.