Polling at the referendum took place on Wednesday, 7th September, 1983 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The subject matter of the referendum was described as follows in the official polling card circulated to each elector:
“THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION BILL, 1982, proposes to add the subsection here following to Article 40.3 of the Constitution
The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”
(The statement was prescribed by the Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1983).
The total number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal was 841,233 and the total number of votes recorded against the proposal was 416,136. As the proposal was duly approved by the people, the Bill was signed by the President on 7th October, 1983 and promulgated as a law.
Result Summary
| Electorate: | 2,358,651 |
| Total Poll: | 1,265,994 |
| Percentage Poll: | 53.67% |
| Votes in favour of the proposal: | 841,233 |
| Votes against the proposal: | 416,136 |
| Invalid Ballot Papers: | 8,625 |