Falkland Islands vote shows 99.8 percent want to stay British
Published March 11, 2013
Associated PressSTANLEY, FALKLAND ISLANDS – An overwhelming 99.8 percent of Falkland Islands voters have backed keeping their government just the way it is: a British Overseas Territory.
Residents, some carrying British flags, parade during a rally in support of United Kingdom control over the islands in Port Stanley, Falkland or Malvinas Islands Sunday, March 10, 2013. The local Falkland Islands Government has mobilized a major effort to get registered voters to answer a yes-or-no to the referendum; "Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?", scheduled for March 10-11, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Byrne)
Of the 1,517 valid votes cast, only 3 islanders voted "no" to the question: "Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?" One vote was somehow lost, officials said Monday.
The referendum was aimed at showing the world that the residents' self-determination must be considered in any discussion about the future of the remote South Atlantic islands that are claimed by both Britain and Argentina.
Elections officials reported a 92 percent turnout among the approximately 1,650 Falkland Islands voters eligible to cast ballots in the referendum. International election observer Juan Henao said the process was completely normal.
The islands' 2,563 residents did all they could ahead of the vote to show their sympathies, waving Union Jack flags and dressing up in red-white-and-blue.
"The referendum will show the world how we feel, that we are British and that we wish to remain British. We don't want to have nothing to do with Argentina, at all," islander Barry Nielson said as he voted.