The prime minister's announcement yesterday that the referendum and local council elections would both be held on March 8 marks an unprecedented event in the country's history as this will be the first time that two major ballots will be held simultaneously.

Various laws govern the conduct of these ballots.

The Referenda Act of 1973, amended a few months ago, lays down that the nation must be given five weeks notice of a referendum.

It is officially the President's duty to fix the day of the referendum after the prime minister has informed him of his intentions. The electoral commissioners are then given notice of the referendum by a writ signed by the President and the details of this will then be published in the Government Gazette.

Thirty-five days notice must also be given of a local council election, according to the Local Councils Act.

The date of the local council elections has long been known and all the nominees for the localities in which an election will be held were published yesterday.

Under the General Elections Act, all campaigning must cease one full day before polling day. In effect that means that the last day of campaigning for the referendum and local council elections will be on March 6.

The media is not permitted to carry or broadcast any information during this period that is likely to influence voters in their vote.