Nicaragua
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
b. No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: The different constituencies (national and departmental/regional) are matched to the administrative political division of the country in order to elect the ninety deputies to the National Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Article 132. Electoral Law: Articles 139 to 142.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 17:13:57 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
h. Not applicable
Comments: Existing regional boundaries are used.
Source: Electoral Law: Articles 139 to 142.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 17:12:58 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: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 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:
b. Optional referendum
c. Citizens' initiative
d. Agenda initiative
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:33:32 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:33:32 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:32:08 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Supreme Electoral Council
b. Full Address Iglesia Las Palmas 1c. al Sur Apartado Postal 2241, Managua, Nicaragua
c. Telephone (+505) 268 7948, (+505) 268 9004
d. Facsimile (+505) 268 91 01
e. Email info(a)cse.gob.ni
f. Website Address www.cse.gob.ni
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Roberto Rivas Reyes, Magistrate President
h. Information Officer spokesperson
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish
Source: www.cse.gob.ni
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level
d. Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: The electoral body is in charge of organizing, directing and overseeing the elections for President and Vice-president of the Republic; the deputies before the National Assembly, the deputies before the Central American Parliament; the members of the Councils of Autonomous Regions of the Atlantic Coast; the municipal majors and vice-majors; the members of the Municipal Councils; and the plebiscites and referenda.
Source: Constitution: Articles 2, 132, 146, 147, 168, 173 and 178. Electoral Law: Articles 1, 2 and 10.
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
g. Other
Comments: The President of the Supreme Electoral Council drafts the budget, both for the ordinary period and for the electoral period. In due time, the Council's plenum approves its own annual budget and that of its subordinate bodies. The National Assembly is empowered to know, discuss, and approve the bill of the Annual Law of the General Budget of the Republic, and it is entitled to get periodic information about its exercise.
Source: Constitution: Article 138.5. Electoral Law: Articles 12.c, 14.5.c.
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
e. Another organ within the national government
Comments: The National Assembly is empowered to know, discuss, and approve the bill of the Annual Law of the General Budget of the Republic, and it is entitled to get periodic information about its exercise. The General Comptrollership of the Republic is empowered to survey the resources of the State.
Source: Constitution: Articles 138.5 and 155. Electoral Law: Articles 14.5.c.
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: For a term of five years. The Supreme Electoral Council is a standing body made up of seven incumbent Magistrates and three substitute Magistrates, elected by the National Assembly for a five year term. The Magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Council elect the President and Vice-president from among its members a term of one year, and they may be reelected two times.
Source: Constitution: Articles 138.7 and 170. Electoral Law: 6 and 9.
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
a. estimated total: 26,082,099.00 USD. 1USD = 13.80
Comments: 26 082 099 USD 1USD = 13.80
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 2,560,000 citizens
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:43:09 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
Source: Constitution: Article 144.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:33:10 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: It is not a classic absolute majority election system. If the candidate with more votes does not win the 40% of the total votes cast at a national level, or a minimum of 35% but with an advantage of more than 5% regarding the second candidate, there will be a second round between the two candidates who have obtained the greatest amount of votes. The presidential term lasts five years. Reelection is allowed, provided that it is not for an immediate period.
Source: Constitution: Articles 146 and 148. Electoral Law: Article 3.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:43:21 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Source: Constitution: 144.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:37:24 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber
Comments: The Legislative Branch is made up of only one Chamber called the National Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Article 132.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:39:45 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation
Comments: The Legislative Branch is made up of only one Chamber called the National Assembly. This Chamber is made up by ninety representatives with their respective substitutes elected by universal, equal, direct, free, and secret vote for a five year term through the proportional representation system. The candidates for the Presidency and Vice-presidency of the Republic who are not elected but obtain a percentage of national votes equal or superior to the average of the regional electoral quotients are also part of the National Assembly, as proprietary and substitute representatives. Likewise, the former President and Vice-president who have just left office are part of the Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Articles 132, 133 and 136. Electoral Law: Articles 146 to 149.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:43:21 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable *
Last updated: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 23:56:38 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The Constitution includes a chapter that refers to the electoral regime, describing the general structure and attributions of the electoral authority. However, a separate and specific legislation, with the category of constitutional law, details all aspects related to the preparation, organization and surveillance of elections, including the legal regime of political parties.
Source: Constitution: Articles 168 to 174, and 184.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 00:49:49 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
e. Other
Comments: The electoral law regulates the electoral processes for the elections for President and Vice-President of the Republic; the members of the National Assembly; the deputies before the Central American Parliament; the members of the Councils of the autonomous regions of the Atlantic Coast; municipal majors and vice-majors; members of the Municipal Councils; as well as plebiscites and referenda.
Source: Constitution: Articles 2, 132, 146, 147, 168, 173 and 178. Electoral Law: Articles 1, 2 and 10.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:07:36 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Comments: Suffrage is universal, equal, direct, free, secret, and a right of all Nicaraguan citizens.
Source: Constitution: Article 51. Electoral Law: Articles 30 and 31.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:07:36 UTC
LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB
Comments: The central electoral authority or one of its subordinated bodies, depending on the subject matter.
Source: Electoral Law: Articles 1, 10, 161 to 170 and 173 to 178.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:07:36 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:55:09 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 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
Source: Electoral Law: 90.
Last updated: 2007-11-30 18:50:57 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
a. Amount (Euros) X
Comments: There is no financial limit. But there are regulations that limit how much advertisement time that can be bought.
Source: Electoral Law: 90.
Last updated: 2007-11-30 18:50:57 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 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 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 10:55:09 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
f. Other
Comments: The citizens who are interested in making up a political party shall inform so to the Supreme Electoral Council; submit a public charter and basic documents (political principles, programs and bylaws) and elect boards at national, departmental, regional, and municipal levels.
Source: Electoral Law: 64 to 69.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:51:09 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 13:52:12 GMT
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
Comments: The requirements are twenty-one years of age and Nicaraguan nationality, that is, having been born in national territory or to a Nicaraguan mother or father (as opposed to being Nicaraguan through naturalization). Besides, the citizen has to be entitled to all civil and political rights, and have been born or resided for the last two years in the department or autonomous region where office shall be taken in case of winning the election.
Source: Constitution: 134.
Last updated: 2008-01-08 19:31:39 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable
Comments: The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 13:51:33 GMT
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
a. Neither in presidential nor legislative elections
Comments: The law acknowledges the candidates put forward by the public, that is, not linked or nominated by parties or alliances of parties, but only for elective posts at a local level (majors, vice-majors, municipal or autonomous region councilpersons).
Source: Electoral Law: 82 and 83.
Last updated: 2007-11-30 18:26:09 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Comments: The law sets forth and guarantees direct public funding but only as reinbursement for electoral expenses, as well as free and equal access to mass media during electoral campaign. The Supreme Electoral Council shall ensure that all political parties and alliances have free and equal access to broadcasting through television and radio stations owned by the State.
Source: Electoral Law: 99 to 106.
Last updated: 2008-01-08 19:31:39 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
e. Other
Comments: e) Based on the result of the present election. Reimbursement is assigned according to the percentage of votes obtained in the recent election, provided that the threshold of the required 4% is attained or exceeded.
Source: Electoral Law: 99. International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2008-01-08 19:31:39 UTC
PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes
Comments: Political parties or alliances are allowed to receive donations from Nicaraguan or foreign citizens, within the amounts and ceilings set forth, and in accordance with the requirements and conditions established in the electoral legislation. They shall not be allowed to receive funding from State or mixed institutions, whether national or foreign. The donations made by foreign institutions can only be assigned to technical assistance and training. Anonymous private donations are not allowed (with the exception of popular collections) neither are the contributions made by any autonomous or decentralized public bodies. The documentation regarding direct private contributions to political parties and alliances must be made public and be kept by the General Comptrollership of the Republic.
Source: Electoral Law: 103 and 104.
Last updated: 2008-01-08 19:31:39 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Comments: Once the voting is finished and the closing act signed, the board for reception of votes tallies the votes in the polling station.
Source: Electoral Law: 123.
Last updated: 2007-11-30 18:43:17 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
Comments: If there are doubts on the arithmetical result, the officers may carry out a recount in the same polling station.
Source: Electoral Law: 132. CSE
Last updated: 2007-11-30 18:45:28 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
Source: Electoral Law: Articles 2, 19.a.4 and 19.b.3.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:09:19 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
d. Not applicable
Source: Supreme Electoral Council.
Last updated: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 20:03:19 GMT
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Source: Electoral Law: 109.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:02:14 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
g. Other
Comments: The electoral law enacted in 2000 provides (as the previous electoral law from 1996 did) for the possibility for citizens who are temporarily out of the country or living abroad to vote in presidential and legislative elections. This possibility is restricted by the facts that (a) ‘the same conditions of integrity, equality, transparency, safety, control, oversight and verification as those pertaining within the national territory’ must exist (article 122), and (b) the electoral authority should decide six months prior to the beginning of the electoral process if it is possible for these requirements to be met, and act accordingly, after consulting the political parties. There is no evidence that the electoral authority is going to use it for forthcoming elections, nor is there or concrete plan to do so.
Source: Electoral Law: 122.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:38:25 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable
Comments: Although the law considers the possibility of voting abroad and provides that it should be cast in person in special polling stations, there is still no specific regulation in this regard.
Source: Electoral Law: 122.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:41:24 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: 400 voters
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:02:14 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Electoral Law: 116.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:44:29 UTC
VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: A president and two members, with their corresponding substitutes.
b. The largest polling station: A president and two members, with their corresponding substitutes.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:02:14 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
a. 16
Source: Constitution: Articles 47 and 51. Electoral Law: Article 30.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:43:21 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
e. Other
Comments: The electoral law sets forth that suffrage is a right of Nicaraguan citizens. In order to exercise it, they ought to be in full possession of their rights, register in the electoral registries or in the permanent electoral roll, and have an identification card or another electoral document (civil booklet). It is possible voting from abroad and it needs a specific qualifications and registry.
Source: Constitution: Articles 47. Electoral Law: Articles 30, 31, 32 and 122.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:43:21 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The electoral law sets forth the Supreme Electoral Council is empowered to organize and upkeep the Central Register of Marital Status of People, the roll of citizenry and the electoral register. The Electoral body shall put together the electoral register and take the necessary steps to update it.
Source: Constitution: Article 73.10. Electoral Law: Articles 10.12, 16.
Last updated: 2007-11-29 18:43:21 UTC
20/05/2008 07:19
