Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The National Assembly comprises 150 members of whom 90 are elected from multi-member constituencies and the remaining 60 members are elected from a single nationwide constituency.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.146, L.147: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments: Each departmental administrative division forms one constituency.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.146, L.147: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Each departmental administrative division forms one constituency.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.146, L.147: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President is elected by universal, direct suffrage by absolute majority in two rounds for a 5 year term. She/he can be re-elected once.
Source: Presidency of Senegal
http://www.presidence.sn/en/presidency/the-president
Verified: 2024/10/25
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The head of Government is the Prime Minister who is appointed by the President.
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 49, 53 (1): http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2017)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 26 - 52: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2017)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The legislature consists of the National Assembly. The upper chamber (Senate) was abolished in 2012.
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 59: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
c . Block Vote g . List Proportional Representation h . Mixed Member Proportional
Comments: The National Assembly comprises 165 members of whom 105 (90 members elected in Senegal from 45 single/multi-member constituencies and 15 members representing Senegalese abroad) are elected by party block vote from single/ multi-member constituencies and the remaining 60 members are elected by list proportional representation from a single nationwide constituency. All National Assembly Members serve five year terms
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union-National Assembly Senegal
http://archive.ipu.org/parline/reports/2277.htm
Verified: 2024/10/25
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation c . Decree d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments: The electoral law has a legislative part and it is accompanied by decrees and regulations.
Source: Electoral Code 2012: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 3 (4): http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013);
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Electoral Code 2012, art. L.26, L.27: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: The Constitutional Court
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 35: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013);
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.140 - LO.143, L.189, LO.190, LO.191: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: Referenda
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.1, L.2, L.4, L.5, LO.25, LO.133: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature g . Other
Comments: The National Autonomous Electoral Commission develops its own budget plan, which is incorporated to the annual state budget.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.22 (1, 2): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
e . Another organ within the national government
Comments: A public accountant appointed by the Minister of Finance.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.22 (3): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: The members of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission are appointed for a term of six (06) years with partial renewal every three years.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.7 (3): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
c . Mixed
Comments: The electoral administration is exercised by the Ministry in charge of Elections, the National Autonomous Electoral Commission and the Court of Appeal of Dakar. Each of these institutions has different responsibilities and functions in relation to the conduct of the electoral process.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.1, L.2, L.4, L.5, LO.25, LO.133: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
b . 11 - 20 members (specify)
Comments: The National Autonomous Electoral Commission is composed of 12 members.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.7 (1): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The members of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission are chosen from among persons of Senegalese nationality, recognised for their moral integrity, intellectual honesty, neutrality and impartiality.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.7 (1): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State h . Civil society
Comments: The members of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission are appointed by presidential decree after consultation with civil society institutions and associations.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.7 (1): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body d . National Government g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments: The Ministry in charge of Elections and the National Autonomous Electoral Commission.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. R.2, L.1 (3), L.11, L.15: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. R.2, L.1 (3), L.11, L.15: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. R.2, L.1 (3), L.11, L.15: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 3 (4): http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013);
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Electoral Code 2012, art. L.26: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship d . Naturalization
Comments: Suffrage may be direct or indirect. It is always universal, equal, and secret.
All Senegalese nationals of both sexes, who are 18 years old, enjoying their civil and political rights, are electors within the conditions determined by the law.
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 3 (4): http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013);
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Electoral Code 2012, art. L.26, L.27: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
a . Central Government Department (specify)
Comments: The Ministry in charge of Elections
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.2: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.29: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount) c . Regional distribution requirement f . Other
Comments: Each party list must respect gender equality.
The lists presented for legislative elections on the basis of proportional representation must include candidates for every constituency. There is also a deposit requirement for each list.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.145 (1, 3), L.169, L.170, L.171: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship f . Registration
Comments: Every Senegalese citizens, at least 25 years old, registered in the electoral roll, is eligible to stand for legislative elections.
Naturalized citizens must wait 10 years and renounce other citizenship.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.153, LO.154, LO:155: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Independent candidates must be supported by a certain number of registered voters and pay a deposit.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.145 (2), L.169, L.179 (5), LO.115 (3), LO.116, LO.117: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Indirect
Comments: Political parties are not entitled to direct public funding. Only indirect public funding is available, in the form of free broadcast time and space for campaign materials.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.62 (3), LO.182, LO.129: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
International IDEA: Political Finance Database (2017)
http://www.oldsite.idea.int/political-finance/country.cfm?id=205
Verified: 2024/10/25
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: Political parties are not entitled to direct public funding. Only indirect public funding is available, in the form of free broadcast time and space for campaign materials.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.62 (3), LO.182, LO.129: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017);
EU Final Report on the 2012 Senegal Presidential Election, p. 5, 8, 14: http://eeas.europa.eu/eueom/pdf/missions/final-report-senegal-2012_fr.pdf (2017)
International IDEA: Political Finance Database (2017)
http://www.oldsite.idea.int/political-finance/country.cfm?id=205
Verified: 2024/10/25
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: There are no explicit legal provisions regulating this matter.
Source: EU Final Report on the 2012 Senegal Presidential Election, p. 14: http://eeas.europa.eu/eueom/pdf/missions/final-report-senegal-2012_fr.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.83: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance c . Based on result of previous election
Comments: Air time available to candidates is divided into two (02) fractions whose quota is determined by the media regulatory body: A fraction of the time divided equally between all political parties, coalition of political parties or independent persons representing the lists of candidates; A fraction of airtime allocated proportionally taking to account the parliamentary representation of political parties with presented lists of candidates.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.182, LO.129: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.130: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017);
EU Final Report on the 2012 Senegal Presidential Election, p. 28: http://eeas.europa.eu/eueom/pdf/missions/final-report-senegal-2012_fr.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments: This matter is not regulated in the Electoral Law.
Source: Electoral Code 2012: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no specific legal provisions regulating this matter.
Source: Electoral Code 2012: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017);
International IDEA: Political Finance Database (2017)
http://www.oldsite.idea.int/political-finance/country.cfm?id=205
EU Final Report on the 2012 Senegal Presidential Election, p. 14, 37: http://eeas.europa.eu/eueom/pdf/missions/final-report-senegal-2012_fr.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 3 (1), 27, 51, 103: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2017)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The initiative of the revision of the Constitution belongs jointly to the President of the Republic and to the deputies. The Prime Minister can propose to the President of the Republic a revision of Constitution. The project or the proposal for a revision of the Constitution is adopted by the assemblies. The revision is final after being approved by referendum.
However, the project or the proposal will not be presented to the referendum when the President of the Republic decides to submit it to the Parliament convened in Congress. In this case, the project or the proposal is approved if it unites the majority of the three fifths (3/5) of the votes.
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 27, 103: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2017)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President of the Republic can, after having collected the opinion of the President of National Parliament, of the President of the Senate and the Constitutional Council, submit any constitutional bill to a referendum. He can, on a proposal from the Prime Minister and after having consulted with the authorities indicated above, submit any bill to referendum.
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 51: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 103: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012, art. 27, 51, 103: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution 2012: http://www.assemblee-nationale.sn/images/stories/PDF/constitution_du_senegal.pdf (2013)
English: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2009?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/22
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.55 (2): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Only in countries where polling stations/centers have been officially designated. Members of the armed forces serving abroad cannot vote.
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.29 (4), L.322, L.324, L.325: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.29 (4), L.322, L.347: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: Un bulletin dans une enveloppe le tout déposé dans une urne.
By choosing the ballot of their candidate and then by putting it in the ballot box
Source: Electoral Code 2012, art. L.78 (5): http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2024/10/25
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