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Summary
- Voting in the End of Life Choice Act referendum, 65% Kiwis have emphatically favoured Euthanasia.
- In another referendum - New Zealanders exercised their voting rights for the legalisation of Cannabis and Control Bill. Nearly 53% of people have voted against the bill and do not want to legalise the sale and distribution of cannabis.
- Till now 83% of votes have been counted. Counting of overseas votes, termed as special votes, is still not complete and can play a decisive role in close calls like the cannabis referendum.
In a significant development, majority of the New Zealanders have voted yes to legalise Euthanasia. Preliminary results are out after the New Zealander cast their votes in two referendums – one for the End of Life Choice Act and second for the legalisation of Cannabis and Control Bill.
The bill, End of Life Choice Act, has been already passed in the Parliament and will help terminally ill patients with an option to request for assisted dying.
Image Source: © Kalkine Group 2020
The second referendum for the Cannabis and Control Bill has failed in the preliminary results. Out of 83% votes counted, 53% have voted against the bill. Kiwis do not want to legalise the purchase and sell of marijuana like recreational drugs.
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden revealed after the preliminary results that she had voted yes on both referendums. While the conservative opposition lawmaker Nick Smith welcomed the preliminary result, he called it the victory for the common sense, adding that cannabis could cause serious mental health problems.
The cannabis legalisation enthusiasts have not lost all their hopes. Half a million votes are yet to come through from the overseas voters. The past election results have shown that the overseas voters favour liberal opinions and cast their votes accordingly. The cannabis enthusiasts would need 67% of special votes in favour to overturn the preliminary results.
The End of Life Choice Act or euthanasia will come into effect from November 2021. The act will also allow assisted suicide and is applicable to adults only. Those adults suffering from a terminal illness and have probabilities of dying within the next six months and are undergoing unbearable pain will be allowed to choose assisted dying measures legally.
Some of the European countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg have already legalised some form of euthanasia. The lawmakers from both sides expressed solidarity on euthanasia and believe that it will give dignified way to end sufferings from a terminal illness.
The marijuana referendum was a close call and has the support of 53% of Kiwis which many liberal leaders are optimistic that it will be overturned once the counting of special votes is complete which is due in next week.
Legalising cannabis will allow a person to buy and carry not more than 14 grams for recreational purposes. Countries like Canada, South Africa have legalised the use of marijuana with certain limits, and many countries are having a serious debate over legalising cannabis, including the United States of America.
