The Referendum In West Irian (1969)

It was stated in the New York Agreement of August 15, 1963 that the trans formation authority of West lrian to Indonesia should entail a referendum in 1969. The referendum was to be supervised by the United Nations.
There were two procedure of the referendum, specifically, as suggested by the represen ta tives of United Nations and the Ambassador of Bolivia, Ortin Sede, which is every vo ter should directly cast his vote basis or the referendum should be carried out on a re pre sen ta tive basis through a level-by-Ievel voting system, as proposed by Indonesia. The United Nations’ suggestions were considered too difficult to implement due to the geographical con di tion. The referendum, were conducted by implementing the suggestions proposed by Indonesia. Witnessed by representatives of the United Nations, members of the local and international media and many observers, the referendum was finally carried out from April to June 1969 to determine the Regency Consultative Assembly which is consisted 1026 members, 43 women, representing 8 districts.
The pronouncement, made by the Consultative Board of the Referendum, indicated a unanimous decision that West Irian remains as an integral part of Republic of Indonesia. On November 19, 1969, the United Nations officially
endorsed the result of the referendum with 84 votes stating in favor, 6 opposed and 30 abstain (most ly the African nations).