Malvinas islands' Executive Council approves March 2013 referendum

The Malvinas Islands Executive council officially approved a referendum that will be held in March 2013 in which islanders will vote on their political status, as Argentina continues to claim sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago, 30 years after the war.

The islands’ Executive Council announced that the British Electoral Commission  has agreed to assist with developing the form of the question and the wording and will provide guidance. “The vote was planned for March 2013 and the exact date will be decided by CEO Keith Padgett in consultation with the Legislative Assembly,” a press release stated.

The referendum was announced in June, and at the time, chairman of the Legislative Assembly Gavin Short said they hoped to send a firm message to President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Earlier this year, the Head of State attended a meeting at the UN Decolonisation committee briefing Argentina’s stance on the islands.