Panama
- 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?
a. Yes
Comments: There are electoral circuits which compose electoral districts. There are multi or single member circuits according to the criteria of proportional representation.
Source: Conctitution: 147.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 17:23:30 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
c. Compactness of constituencies
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
e. Geographic size of district
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
g. Other
Comments: The territory of the different provinces and regions is divided in electoral circuits according to different guidelines for its configuration, starting from the political division into administrative districts and then considering territorial proximity, demographic concentration, ties of vicinity, means of communication, and historic and cultural features.
Source: Constitution: 147.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 17:23:30 UTC
BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
a. Legislature (specify chamber)
d. Electoral management body
Comments: The Electoral Tribunal consults the political parties in order to elaborate the bill to create the electoral circuits, and then it’s presented for its approval to the Legislature (Legislative Assembly).
Source: Constitution: 147.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 17:23:58 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Luis Pinilla
c. Organisation: Electoral Tribunal
d. Contact Address. Dirección Superior Aptdo. 5281, Zona 5, Av. Ecuador, Panamá
e. Telephone: (507) 207 6908
g. Email: lpinilla@tribunal-electoral.gob.pa
Last updated: 2006-11-27 10:25:40 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
Source: Constitution: 239, 313.2, 314 and 325. Electoral Law: 358-360.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:38:47 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
b. Not applicable x
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 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: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum in 1972
b. Optional referendum in 1972
c. Citizens' initiative in 1972
e. Recall 2004
Comments: Optional referendum is only applicable at local level. Recall will be applied from 2009 on.
Source: Constitution: 151, 227.3, 239, 313.2, 314 and 325. Electoral Law: 358-376.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:27:13 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum in 1972
b. Optional referendum in 1972
c. Citizens' initiative in 1972
e. Recall in 2004
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
Source: Constitution: 239. Electoral Law: 369.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:38:47 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
Comments: Constitution: 151.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:27:52 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2005-10-25 20:01:17 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2005-10-25 20:02:41 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Adoption of international treaties
Comments: Only applicable to constitutional amendments and international treaties referred to the Panama Channel.
Source: Constitution: 313.2, 314 and 325. Electoral Law: 358-360.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:38:47 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
k. None
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:32:23 UTC
DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignty, national self-determination
e. Conflict between constitutional organs
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
Comments: Only applicable to constitutional amendments and international treaties referred to the Panama Channel.
Source: Constitution: 313.2, 314 and 325.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:33:17 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
c. No quorum required X
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
d. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2005-10-26 00:24:01 UTC
DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always
Source: Electoral Law: 358-360.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 16:34:52 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
a. The recall shall not take place during the first or the last year or their period
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 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?
a. Once the requirements set forth in law to conduct an by election have been met.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 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.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2005-10-26 01:01:12 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.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2005-10-26 01:01:31 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.
c. Proportion of the vote at the most recent election X
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 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.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2005-10-26 01:02:59 UTC
DD84 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
c. Proportion of the vote at the most recent election x
Last updated: 2007-09-28 22:45:17 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Tribunal Electoral de Panamá
b. Full Address Calle 34, Av. Ecuador, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá, entre Avenida Cuba y Avenida Justo Arosemena.
c. Telephone (507) 227 2910; 227 5322
d. Facsimile (507) 227 0828
e. Email Secretaria-general@tribunal-electoral.gob.pa
f. Website Address http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Erasmo Pinilla Castillero, Magistrado Presidente.
h. Information Officer Andrés Sosa.
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish
Source: Website Address: http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa
Last updated: 2007-09-21 16:28:42 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: Besides the presidential and legislative elections, it is responsible for the election of deputies to the Central American Parliament, mayors, councilmen and local government representatives.
Source: Constitution: 142. Electoral Law: Title VI, 3rd Chapter (2nd, 3rd and 4th Sections), 14th and 17th Chapters.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:36:51 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
a. The President
c. The legislature
Comments: The budget of the electoral organization is integrated to the general project of the State, which the Executive puts to consideration of the Legislative Assembly for its examination, modification and approval.
Source: Constitution: 143.9, 159.4, 184.7, 267 and 268.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 14:57:08 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
d. A national government department
Comments: The General Comptroller of the Republic is responsible for taxation and budgetary monitoring.
Source: Constitution: 275 y 280. Electoral Law: 125.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:36:51 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: The Electoral Tribunal is made up by three magistrates appointed for a ten-year period. One is designated by the Legislative, another one by the Executive and the third one by the Supreme Court of Justice. All three of them are selected among people who do not belong to any of the authorities making the nominations. The magistrates must fulfill similar requirements to those of the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice.
Source: Constitution: 142.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 15:53:34 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: 2007-09-21 16:28:42 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: 1,746,885 registered voters
Last updated: 2007-09-21 16:28:42 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
Source: Constitution: 175.
Last updated: 2007-09-21 18:08:11 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
a. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The president of the Republic is elected for a five-year term. Re-election is not allowed for two immediate terms.
Source: Constitution: 177 and 178.
Last updated: 2007-09-21 18:10:32 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Comments: President Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino (since September 1st, 2004).
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:59:53 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber
Comments: Legislative Assembly.
Source: Constitution: 146.
Last updated: 2007-09-21 18:32:05 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation
j. Other
Comments: There are multi-member or one-member circuits, guarantying the criteria of proportional representation. The circuit's boundaries depend on the demographic concentration, political division, communications, cultural and historical features.
Source: Constitution: 141. Electoral Law: Title VI, 3rd Chapter, 2nd Section.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:59:53 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: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 19:08:43 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
d. Regulations or administrative rules
Comments: Although the national constitution states some fundamental electoral regulations, the Electoral Code is the specific legislation regulating all the aspects related to the organization of elections. Besides, for every national election, the Electoral Tribunal delivers a specific law-ranking decree.
Source: Constitution: 136, 137 and 142.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:35:27 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
e. Other
Comments: It regulates the elections for president and vice-president of the Republic, legislators, mayors, councilmen and local representatives. It also regulates the organization of referenda and plebiscites, as well as the election of representatives to the Central American Parliament.
Source: Electoral Law: Title VI, 3rd Chapter (2nd, 3rd, 4th Section), 14th and 17th Chapter.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:34:58 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Comments: Voting is considered a civic duty, but no sanctions are applied to voters who do not vote.
Source: Constitution: 135 Electoral Law: 6.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:35:27 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Yara Campo
b. Job Title: Executive Director
c. Organisation: Tribunal Electoral de Panamá
d. Contact Address: Dirección Superior Aptdo. 5281, Zona 5, Av. Ecuador, Panamá
e. Telephone: 00 507 207-8000
g. Email: ycampos@tribunal-electoral.gob.pa
Last updated: 2006-11-27 09:55:02 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 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: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 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: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 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: 191.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 18:38:00 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising. But, in order to avoid the overcrowding in political propaganda the law specifies that each political institution can not contract more advertising in one day and one month than that they averaged in the last 6 months.
Source: Electoral Law: 194.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 18:51:35 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 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: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
Source: Electoral Law: 191.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 18:56:39 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:09:00 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: In order to have the legal recognition, the political parties must: a) Present its application signed by at least one thousand citizens, whose at least 50 must have their residence in each province, and 20 in each region. b) Register members distributed according to the following quotas: 15 in at least 40% of the districts in the country, 20 in every province and 10 in every region c) Have a number of members equal to or above 4% of the whole valid votes cast in the last presidential elections. f) Present the statutes that regulate their activities and a declaration of principles. The law clearly distinguishes two stages or steps in the process of conformation and legal registration of a party. The first one is a preliminary stage, in which the organization aiming to become a party must present before the electoral authority a request of authorization signed by at least a thousand citizens in full possession of their constitutional rights, which must be accompanied by a declaration of principles, a program of action and the statutes that regulate their activities. In the second stage, once the request is approved, the party has a period of eleven months to recruit the number of members necessary to obtain legal recognition. In order to contend in elections, parties must have juridical status and duly present their lists of candidates.
Source: Electoral Law: Title III; 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Chapter.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 18:53:20 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.
Source: Constitution: 146.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 18:22:03 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
Comments: The candidates: a) must be Panamanian citizens, born or naturalized. The citizens by naturalization can only be postulated after completing 15 years of residence in the country. b) must be 21 years old. d) must have one year of residence at the electoral circuit where the candidate is postulated.
Source: Constitution: 153. Electoral Law: Title IV, 3rd Section.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 18:53:20 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.
Source: Constitution: 146.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 20:11:03 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Source: Constitution: 138. Electoral Law: 251.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 18:53:20 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: Constitution: 140 and 141. Electoral Law: 97.9, 97.13, 97.14, 98.8, Title V, 1st and 2nd Section 176-190.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 18:53:20 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
b. Based on result of previous election
Comments: The public funding is distributed in different ways; it depends on the stage of the electoral process, previous Election Day or later; or if the candidate belong a political party or not. It is distributed according to criteria of equality, results the previous performance or the number of supporters.
Source: Electoral Law: 182.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 18:43:04 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Electoral Law: 309.
Last updated: 2007-09-27 21:01:38 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
a. Never recounted
Comments: Ballots are destroyed when the scrutiny is finalized.
Source: Electoral Law: 312.11
Last updated: 2007-09-27 21:05:33 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
Comments: The Electoral Tribunal publishes a bulletin to make public different electoral issues that should be known by the citizenry.
Source: Electoral Law: Title II, 33-39.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 20:04:01 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously
Source: Electoral Tribunal
Last updated: 2007-10-19 15:56:14 UTC
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: Title III, 3rd Chapter, 6th Section.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:37:58 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Electors in foreign countries just can vote for president and vice president. They must have a personal identity card and a valid passport in case of young people who will reach voting age; enroll in the Electoral Registry of the Residents in Foreign Countries; be in full possession of civil and political rights; and mail their cast.
Source: Electoral Law: 6. Decree 9, July 9, 2007: 2.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:38:39 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
e. By mail
Source: Decree 9, July 9, 2007: 2.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 16:38:39 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: 500 voters
Last updated: 2007-09-24 23:03:02 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Electoral Law: 280.
Last updated: 2007-09-25 15:52:14 UTC
VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: three chief electoral officers and three substitutes electoral officers.
b. The largest polling station: three chief electoral officers and three substitutes electoral officers.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 23:03:02 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Source: Constitution: 131 and 135.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 20:11:12 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
d. Naturalization
e. Other
Comments: Electors must have the Panamanian citizenship; a personal identity card; enroll in the electoral registry and be in full possession of civil and political rights.
Source: Constitution: 8-13 and 131-135. Electoral Law: 1, 4-6, 8-9, 15-16 and 20.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 23:29:55 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Electoral Tribunal, through the department of Registry and Census of the National Directorship of Electoral Organization.
Source: Constitution: 146.5 and 146.6. Electoral Law: 10.
Last updated: 2007-09-24 23:29:55 UTC
May 20, 2008 07:19 AM
