YSR 7-178 is seeking to amend the Yap State Constitution by adding a new Section 11 under Article 14 concerning the question: “Shall the State of Yap commence a review of its political status?”
Falan provided a brief background of the resolution during the meeting and gave emphasis to the fact that the public needs to understand in detail the process.
He said it is easy to misunderstand that the resolution allows the state to leave the federation.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which will go to the public in the upcoming general election in November, if passed, will in effect give legislative power to pose the question in a future referendum: “Shall the state of Yap commence a review of its political status?”
It does not immediately trigger a cessation from the federation; rather, it provides for a mechanism to carry out that process.
The participants in the meeting agreed that public education is crucial and must be carried out efficiently and in a timely manner.
The Election Commission and the Division of Media are expected to work on specific tasks which include putting the proposed amendment on a draft ballot form, and identifying possible programs to educate the public.
