At stake in this Referendum:

• -The referendum would devolve some powers from the central government to local authorities.
  -Local governments would have greater taxing and spending capabilities.
  -Local government would also have some autonomy in health and education spending.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCON
• Assembly: Italy has a bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) consisting of the Senate (Senato della Repubblica) with 315 seats* and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati) with 630 seats.

* In addition, there are a small number of senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Referendum to delegate more power to local authorities.

Electoral Requirements

• -A majority of votes cast are required for this referendum to be enacted.
  -A majority of registered voters do not have to vote in this referendum for it to be considered valid.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 56,974,100 (2001)
• Registered Voters: 49,066,417 (May 2000)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 29,329,420 (2001)

·         Is Italy a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)

·         Has Italy ratified CEDAW: Yes (10 June 1985)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 62 (Chamber of Deputies); 25 (Senate) (following the 2001 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 27 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Italy a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)

·         Has Italy ratified CRPD: Yes (15 May 2009)

·         Population with a disability: 8,546,115 (est.)