A referendum on building a new airfield or replacing RMS ''St Helena'' was held in

Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island west of the coast of south-western Africa, and east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is one of three constitu ...

between 21 January and 1 February 2002.St. Helena, 1 February 2002: Airport or new ship
Direct Democracy Around 72% voted in favour of the airport, although critics claimed that the referendum was slanted in favour of this option.Saint Helena: Mixed reactions over airport plans
BBC News, 16 August 2002

Background

RMS ''St Helena'' was the island's only connection with the outside world, but required replacing at an estimated cost of £26 million. The cost of the alternative option of a new airport was estimated at £50 million. The island's Executive Council initially rejected holding a referendum, but agreed to do so on 8 January 2002. All Saint Helena citizens aged over 16 and based in Saint Helena,

Ascension Island Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island, 7°56′ south of the Equator in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is about from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America. It is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory o ...

, the Falkland Islands and on board RMS St Helena were eligible to vote. Voters were given the options: *I WOULD LIKE to have an airport on St Helena, with alternative arrangements being made for shipping. *I WOULD NOT LIKE to have an airport but would like to have a replacement RMS St Helena.

Results

References

{{Saint Helena elections Referendums in Saint Helena 2002 referendums 2002 in Saint Helena