1.   Cardoso passed his first and toughest hurdle when the lower house voted in favor of the measure two weeks ago.

2.   He responded with policies that restricted the franchise and gave the governor power to manipulate the composition of the lower legislative house.

3.   If there is a party with an absolute majority in the lower house it will form the government.

4.   Referendums can not be used to make significant changes in the voting system for the lower house of parliament.

5.   The lower house of Congress also is up for grabs in the July elections.

6.   A lower house would be elected according to a system of proportional representation combining regional and national lists.

7.   A lower house of parliament would be elected by a system of proportional representation on the basis of universal non-racial adult franchise.