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Mauritania
- 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
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:40:01 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:40:01 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 14:27:13 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:I:Art2 "(1) The people shall be the source of all power. (2) The national sovereignty belongs to the people which exercises it through its elected representatives and through referendum." C:II:Art38 "The President of the Republic, on any question of national importance, may have recourse to the people through a referendum." C:V:Art78 "1) Peace treaties, union treaties, commerce treaties, treaties or accords concerning an international organization, treaties which require the finances of the State, treaties which modify provisions of a legislative nature, treaties concerning the status of persons, and treaties concerning the borders of the State may only he ratified by a law. (2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:VI:Art85 "The Constitutional Council evaluates the legality of the referendum and announces the results." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 2, 38, 78, 85 and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Comments: C:V:Art78 "1) Peace treaties, union treaties, commerce treaties, treaties or accords concerning an international organization, treaties which require the finances of the State, treaties which modify provisions of a legislative nature, treaties concerning the status of persons, and treaties concerning the borders of the State may only he ratified by a law. (2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 85 and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Comments: C:II:Art38 "The President of the Republic, on any question of national importance, may have recourse to the people through a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 38
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD10 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD11 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for agenda initiatives at the national level?
Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD12 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1991
b. Optional referendum 1991
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:39:08 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:27:13 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
f. Devolution
j. Other (specify)
Comments: j) Cession, exchange, and annexation of territory. C:V:Art78 "1) Peace treaties, union treaties, commerce treaties, treaties or accords concerning an international organization, treaties which require the finances of the State, treaties which modify provisions of a legislative nature, treaties concerning the status of persons, and treaties concerning the borders of the State may only he ratified by a law. (2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 85 and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignty, national self-determination
e. Conflict between constitutional organs
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
i. Other public policy issues
j. Other (specify)
Comments: j) All matters except those that are subject to mandatory referendums as stipulated in the constitution. C:II:Art38 "The President of the Republic, on any question of national importance, may have recourse to the people through a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 38
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
k. None
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:49:09 UTC
DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
c. President
Comments: C:II:Art38 "The President of the Republic, on any question of national importance, may have recourse to the people through a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 38
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:51:07 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
b. Approval quorum 50
Comments: b) It depends, if the referendums concerns constitutional amendments or other matters. C:V:Art78 "(2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 78(2-3) and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 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 14:27:13 UTC
DD40 What are the requirements for mandatory referendums to pass?
d. Other (specify below)
Comments: d) It depends, if the referendums concerns constitutional amendments or other matters. C:V:Art78 "(2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 78(2-3) and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always
Comments: C:V:Art78 "1) Peace treaties, union treaties, commerce treaties, treaties or accords concerning an international organization, treaties which require the finances of the State, treaties which modify provisions of a legislative nature, treaties concerning the status of persons, and treaties concerning the borders of the State may only he ratified by a law. (2) They may take effect only after being ratified or approved. No cession, no exchange, and no annexation of territory is valid without the consent of the people who shall decide through referendum. (3) In the case set forth in the last paragraph of Article 2, the required majority is four-fifths of the votes cast." C:XI:Art100 "The revision of the Constitution is complete when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast in a referendum."
Source: The 1991 Constitution of Mauritania, art. 78 and 100
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:42:24 UTC
DD45 Which types of issues can be proposed by citizens using the citizens' initiative process at the national level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD46 Which types of issues can be proposed by citizens using the agenda initiative process at the national level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD47 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of a citizens' initiative at the national level?
l. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD48 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of an agenda initiative at the national level?
l. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD49 Who may propose the registration of a citizens' initiative?
Please specify in the “Comments” section below.
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 UTC
DD50 Who may propose the registration of an agenda initiative?
Please specify in the “Comments” section below.
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 14:57:54 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 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 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 14:27:13 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution National Independent Electoral Commission
b. Full Address Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI), BP 13 782 Niamey - Niger
c. Telephone (+227) 21 76 49 19
f. Website Address www.mipt.mr
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
e. Another organ within the national government
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
c. For an unspecified period
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 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: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 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: 2007-01-18 12:38:51 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
d. Leader of the party which forms the government becomes Head of Government
Comments: testing
Last updated: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 18:23:45 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
c. Decree
d. Regulations or administrative rules
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:32:31 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:32:31 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2006-11-21 19:52:29 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 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: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 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: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 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.
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 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: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
c. No
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:55:09 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
d. No registration required
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
d. No registration required
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
g. Nationality group
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
g. Nationality group
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
b. Based on result of previous election
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:51:55 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:53:29 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
e. Court order
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:53:29 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: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:41:16 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:41:16 UTC
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
c. Yes, conducted by the Regional Electoral Management Bodies
d. Yes, conducted by the Local/County Electoral Management Bodies
e. Yes, conducted by the Government
f. Yes, conducted by the Regional Governments
g. Yes, conducted by the Local Governments
h. Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
i. Yes, conducted by Political Parties/ Candidates
j. Yes, conducted by the Media
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:41:16 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: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:50:06 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:50:06 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable
Comments: Voting outside the country is not permitted.
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:50:06 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:50:06 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:50:06 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:45:05 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:45:05 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
a. Central Government Department (specify)
Source: Ahmed Ould Lefghih, General Secretary, National Independent Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-01-18 12:45:05 UTC
May 20, 2008 08:19 AM
