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Central African Republic

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
b. No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used

Comments: Existing regional/Provincial/Districts/Other are used as boundaries.
Source: Art. 191; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:03:59 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
e. Geographic size of district

Source: Art. 191; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:08:42 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
a. Legislature (specify chamber)

Comments: Each district is a constituency.
Source: Art. 191; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:10:48 UTC

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA

Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:31:11 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
b. Optional referendum

Comments: C:18 "The principle of the Republic is: “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. The national sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it directly by means of referendum or indirectly by their representatives.[...]" C:67 "The Republic may, after referendum, conclude with any African state accords of association or of fusion including partial or total abandonment of sovereignty in view of realising African unity." C:101 "Revision intervenes when the draft presented to the state has been passed by the National Assembly by a three-fourths majority of the members which compose it, or has been adopted by referendum."
Source: The 1994 Constitution of the Central African Republic, article 18, 67 and 101
Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:46:15 UTC

DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:67 "The Republic may, after referendum, conclude with any African state accords of association or of fusion including partial or total abandonment of sovereignty in view of realising African unity."
Source: The 1994 Constitution of the Central African Republic, article 18 and 67
Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:32:53 UTC

DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:101 "Revision intervenes when the draft presented to the state has been passed by the National Assembly by a three-fourths majority of the members which compose it, or has been adopted by referendum."
Source: The 1994 Constitution of the Central African Republic, article 18 and 101
Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:33:36 UTC

DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignity, national self-determination

Comments: C:67 "The Republic may, after referendum, conclude with any African state accords of association or of fusion including partial or total abandonment of sovereignty in view of realising African unity."
Source: The 1994 Constitution of the Central African Republic, article 67
Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:43:55 UTC

DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments

Comments: C:101 "Revision intervenes when the draft presented to the state has been passed by the National Assembly by a three-fourths majority of the members which compose it, or has been adopted by referendum."
Source: The 1994 Constitution of the Central African Republic, article 101
Last updated: 2006-11-28 08:46:15 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Commission Electorale Mixte Indépendante (CEMI)
b. Full Address Bangui PoBox 1695.
c. Telephone +236 613218 / +236 688644061
e. Email collectifs-des-centrafricains@yahoo.fr
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Jean WillyBiro SAKO
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections French

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:47:03 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:48:02 UTC

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
d. A national government department
f. Donors

Comments: The budget is determined by the Interior Ministry and donors (E.U.)
Source: Project FED/RCA
Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:51:59 UTC

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
d. A national government department
f. Donors

Source: Project FED/RCA
Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:54:41 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
a. For the election period only

Comments: The mandate of the members of the National Electoral Management Body ends 45 days after results annoucement
Source: Art. 23; Decree
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:01:13 UTC

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:47:03 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:47:03 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:47:03 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?

Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:47:03 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
c. Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)

Comments: 6 years term
Source: wikypédia
Last updated: 2007-10-30 15:52:50 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
e. Appointed

Source: wikypédia
Last updated: 2007-10-30 15:55:08 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: President François Bozize took power by coup d'etat on the 15th of march 2003. On the 8th of May 2005 Mr. BOZIZE is elected as President in general elections (second round).
Source: IFES election guide http://www.electionguide.org/country.php?ID=42
Last updated: 2007-11-01 12:50:13 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber

Comments: Parliement: 104 parliementaries directly elected in general election (2nd round)
Source: Art. 49; Constitution
Last updated: 2007-11-01 12:19:52 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
d. Two-Round System

Comments: No direct elections.
Source: Art. 49; Constitution
Last updated: 2007-11-01 12:50:13 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:

Last updated: 2007-10-30 15:52:50 UTC

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:

Last updated: 2007-10-30 15:52:50 UTC

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation

Source: Decree N° 04.D14 related to electoral law of August 2004
Last updated: 2007-11-01 12:56:10 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections

Source: Decree N° 04.D14 related to electoral law of August 2004
Last updated: 2007-11-01 12:56:45 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
b. Voting is compulsory and regulated in the electoral law

Comments: Voter registration on electoral list is compulsary.
Source: Art. 24; Decree N° D4.014
Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:06:12 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
a. Judiciary
b. EMB

Comments: The High-Court is responsible for bangui voters and CEMI (EMB) is responsible for Provincial voters
Source: Art. 206; Decree.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 13:37:06 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

Comments: a) Applies to free broadcast time.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:51:51 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
f. Other

Comments: a) Mandatory deposit of 250,000 CFA francs per candidate. The deposit is fully reimbursed if the candidate obtains at least 10 per cent of valid votes in the constituency concerned. Half of the deposit is reimbursed if the candidate obtains more than 5 per cent but less than 10 per cent of valid votes. f) Candidature must be submitted at least 30 days prior to elections. Simultaneous submission of name of substitute is required.
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable

Comments: Unicameral parliament Ther is no chamber 2.
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm Art. 49; Constitution
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
h. Minimum level of education
i. Minimum level of literacy

Comments: a) 25 years
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm Art. 199; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable

Comments: No Chamber 2
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm Art. 49; Constitution
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
b. In presidential elections
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
e. In both presidential and legislative elections

Source: Art. 202; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
c. Indirect

Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-11-15 10:45:22 UTC

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance

Comments: Applies to free media acces
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2007-01-12 15:52:32 UTC

PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
b. No

Source: International IDEA Political Finance Database http://www.idea.int/parties/finance/db/country_print.cfm?CountryCode=CF
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:10:28 UTC

Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations

Comments: The pooling station becomes Vote Counting Stations
Source: Art. 83; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:14:08 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?

Last updated: 2007-11-01 15:14:08 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
b. Regional Electoral Management Bodies
c. Local/County Electoral Management Bodies
d. National Government
e. Regional Governments
f. Local Governments
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
h. Political parties/ candidates
i. Media

Source: www.un.org (BONUCA) www.democracie.francophonie.org
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:15:51 UTC

VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only

Comments: So far as EMB is not permanent, voter education programs are often conducted only during election time.
Source: Art. 23; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:15:51 UTC

Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
d. At specially designated polling stations

Source: Art. 24;
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:47:25 UTC

VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff

Comments: Citizens overseas who have been registered at the Embassy or Consulate in the host country for at least six months can vote.
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm Art. 4; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:56:09 UTC

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies
b. Consulates

Source: Art. 4, 7; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:54:38 UTC

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?

Last updated: 2007-01-31 12:41:53 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Source: Art. 81; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:56:09 UTC

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?

Last updated: 2007-01-31 12:41:53 UTC

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-01-31 12:41:53 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-01-31 12:41:53 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Comments: 18 years
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2059.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:37:15 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
e. Other

Comments: Citizenship, 18 years old, having the use of civic right.
Source: Art. 3; Electoral law
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:18:51 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Source: Art. 5; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:32:09 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
a. Yes

Comments: Registration on Electoral list is compulsory
Source: Art. 24; Electoral law.
Last updated: 2007-11-01 14:37:15 UTC

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?

Last updated: 2007-01-31 11:04:27 UTC

May 20, 2008 07:18 AM

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