Peru Garcia to push referendum on political reform

[Judi Lynn]

Peru Garcia to push referendum on political reform
Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:49pm EDT

By Marco Aquino
LIMA, Oct 29 (Reuters) - President Alan Garcia moved on Thursday to leapfrog Congress and get changes to Peru's political system -- including shorter terms for lawmakers -- passed by referendum.

Garcia needs 1.5 million signatures to put two bills on a special referendum.

"I'm going to be in charge of collecting signatures and I ask for all Peruvians to help so we can change our system faster," Garcia told reporters.

One measure would scrap compulsory voting in general elections, which political analysts say would make elected officials more accountable to constituents because only informed voters would cast ballots. Mandatory voting is common across Latin America.

The other bill would cut the terms of the 120 lawmakers in Congress to 2 1/2 years from five years. Garcia says long terms allow legislators to coast through their terms without being responsive to voters and that they should be subjected to re-election races more frequently.

A poll this month showed the bills have broad popular support.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2938312420091029?rpc=401

[Peace Patriot]

1. He is up to no good. nt