Sjá chairman predicts knife-edge vote

Jónas Hagan, chairman and co-founder of the Sjá movement, expects the vote to be decided by a razor-thin margin, mbl.is reported. He cast his ballot at Reykjavík City Hall on Saturday.

“I do not see this primarily as a disagreement, a victory or a defeat, but as an option that we are voting on, and whether we want to make use of that option,” Jónas told mbl.is.

He said the result could go either way depending on turnout and other factors.

Jónas made no secret of his hope that the “Yes” side would prevail. “But if No comes out on top, then that is simply the will of the people, and we will carry on. This is a feast of democracy,” he said.

He welcomed what he described as strong turnout during the day.

“That is already one victory,” Jónas said. He added that the entire nation had been discussing the available options and the future it wanted to see.

“It has been a thorough discussion, and it is always good when the nation gets to vote. Democracy is immensely valuable. Sometimes people forget how valuable it is to live in a democratic country,” he said.