|
total countries/territories: 120
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
f. Single Non-Transferable Vote
j. By appointment
|
Members of the House of Elders shall be elected and appointed as follows:
1. From amongst each provincial council members, one individual shall be elected
by the respective council for a four year term;
2. From amongst district councils of each province, one individual, elected by the
respective councils, for a three year term;
3. The remaining one third of the members shall be appointed by the President, for a
five year term, from amongst experts and experienced personalities, including two
members from amongst the impaired and handicapped, as well as two from
nomads.
Source:
Constitution of Afghanistan, Ch. 5 art. 84 http://www.afghanembassy.com.pl/afg/images/pliki/TheConstitution.pdf (2015).
|
2016/02/15
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|
Algeria
|
l. Other
|
The members of the Council serve for six-year terms. The President of the Republic appoints one-third of them from qualified persons in scientific, cultural, professional, economic and social fields. The people's communal assemblies and the people's Wilaya assembly choose the remaining 96 members. Half of the members of the Council, except for its president, are renewed every three years.
Source:
Electoral Law, art. 122-123.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/06/07
|
|
American Samoa
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
Source:
American Samoa Code Annotated Title 6 Elections 6.0805.
|
2005/02/16
|
|
Antigua and Barbuda
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
Each of the constituencies established in accordance with the provisions of section 62 of this Constitution shall return one member to the House who shall be directly elected in such manner as may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be prescribed by or under any law.
Source:
Constitution Article 40
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AG/Antigua%20and%20Barbuda%20-%20Constitution/view
|
2014/06/05
|
|
Argentina
|
l. Other
|
Senate: Majority vote in first round, using party lists. The list with the highest percentage of votes in each constituency will be entitled to two seats, while the list with the second-highest percentage of votes will be entitled to the remaining seat. Vacant seats that arise between general elections are occupied by elected substitutes at the same time as the incumbent members. Three senators are elected for each province and three for the city of Buenos Aires.
Source:
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral Nacional — Ley 19945”, art. 54: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-19945-codigo-electoral-nacional-2019/ (2019)
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Armenia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Armenia (2005), art. 62-63
|
2011/08/12
|
|
Austria
|
j. By appointment
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 34
|
2003/09/12
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
l. Other
|
N/A
|
2022/01/24
|
|
Bahamas
|
j. By appointment
|
The Senate has 16 members, nine are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister; four on the advice of the leader of the Opposition and three on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition.
Source:
C: 39.
|
2002/10/02
|
|
Bahrain
|
j. By appointment
|
The 40 members of the Consultative Shura Council are appointed and dismissed by a Royal Order from the King.
Source:
Constitution 2002, chapter 4, part 3, section 1, article 33 (f) and 52.
The Law of the Shura Council and the Parliament, issued by Decree no 14 for 2002, article 1.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Bangladesh
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
S. M. Asaduzzaman; Public Relations Officer; Bangladesh Election Commission. Email: [email protected]
|
2006/05/23
|
|
Barbados
|
j. By appointment
|
Appointed by the Governor General.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 36
|
2003/06/10
|
|
Belarus
|
l. Other
|
56 members are elected indirectly (regional councils and council of Minsk). 8 are appointed by the Head of State.
Source:
Constitution, article 91.
|
2002/09/09
|
|
Belgium
|
l. Other
|
The Senate consists of 71 members: 25 are elected by the Dutch community, 10 are elected by the French community, 10 are appointed by the parliament of the French community, 10 are appointed by the parliament of the Dutch community, 1 is appointed by the parliament of the German community, 6 are appointed by the Dutch Senators and 4 are appointed by the French Senators.
The King's children or the descendants of the royal family called to reign, are senators by right at the age of eighteen. They have voting rights at the age of twenty-one.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 67, 68, 72;
Electoral Code, Art. 166, 167, 168, 220
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
j. By appointment
|
There are 12 members and 1 President. The Governor General appoints the Senators, out of which 3 belong to the Opposition; 6 to the Government; one to the Business Community, one to the Church, and one to the Trade Union.
Source:
Membership and Composition of The Senate (Amendments) Act No. 39 of 2001.
|
2003/11/25
|
|
Benin
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Le Parlement Béninois est composé d'une seule chambre.
Source:
Article 79 de la constitution
|
2005/01/18
|
|
Botswana
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
|
2014/10/24
|
|
Brazil
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
Article 45:
The Chamber of Deputies is composed of representatives of the people, elected by a proportional system in each state, in each territory, and in the Federal District.
§ 1º The total number of deputies, as well as the representation by state and by the Federal District, shall be established by complementary law, proportionally to the population, making the necessary adjustments in the year prior to the elections, so that none of those units of the Federation has fewer than eight or more than seventy deputies.
§ 2º Each territory shall elect four deputies.
Article 46:
The Federal Senate is composed of representatives of the states and the Federal District, elected according to the majority principle.
§ 1º Each state and the Federal District shall elect three senators, with a term of eight years.
§ 2º The representation of each state and the Federal District shall be renewed every four years, alternately by one-third and two-thirds.
§ 3º Each senator shall be elected with two alternates.
Article 47:
Unless otherwise provided by constitutional provisions, the deliberations of each House and its committees shall be taken by a majority of votes, with the absolute majority of its members present.
Electoral Code:
Article 83:
In direct elections for the Federal Senate, for mayor, and for vice mayor, the majority principle shall be adopted.
Article 84:
Elections for the Chamber of Deputies, legislative assemblies, and municipal chambers shall adhere to the principle of proportional representation as outlined in this law.
Article 85:
Elections for federal deputies, senators and their alternates, the President and Vice President of the Republic, governors, vice governors, and state deputies shall be held simultaneously throughout the country.
Source:
Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, 1988, Article 45, 46, 47:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/constituicao-federal/constituicao-da-republica-federativa-do-brasil
Electoral Code - Law No. 4,737, of July 15, 1965, Article 83, 84, 85:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/codigo-eleitoral-1/codigo-eleitoral-lei-nb0-4.737-de-15-de-julho-de-1965
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2024/10/22
|
|
Bulgaria
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, article 62-64.
|
2004/11/02
|
|
Cameroon
|
l. Other
|
Each region shall be represented in the Senate by 10 (ten) Senators of whom 7 (seven) shall be elected by indirect universal suffrage on a regional basis and 3 (three) appointed by the President of the Republic.
Source:
Constitution, Chapter II sec 20 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
|
2018/11/06
|
|
Canada
|
j. By appointment
|
Senators are recommended by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor General.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution Acts, art.23-29.
|
2010/06/15
|
|
Cape Verde
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2001/10/04
|
|
Chile
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
Closed party-list majority system, with seats allocated binomially (in 60 districts - art.178), as follows: if the majority party, doubles the votes of the second list, it is entitled to the two seats of the constituency. If it obtains less than that, it is entitled to one seat and the second seat goes to the second-placed party.
Source:
Constitution, art. 43
Electoral Law, art. 178
|
2002/06/17
|
|
Colombia
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
Source:
CNE.
|
2003/07/30
|
|
Congo (Kinshasa), Democratic Republic of the
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
Source:
Electoral Law: "Loi n° 06/006 du 09 mars 2006 portant organisation des élections Présidentielles, Législatives, Provinciales, Urbaines, Municipales et Locales", Art. 130
|
2018/11/09
|
|
Croatia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, articles 70 and 71.
|
2002/09/12
|
|
Cyprus
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Αrt. 61
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
d. Two-Round System
|
Article 18: 2. Elections to the Senate shall be held by secret ballot on the basis of universal, equal, and direct right to vote, according to the principle of majority rule.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution of the Czech Republic of December 16, 1992 (Amended by Act No. 515/2002 Coll.), art. 18.
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Czech_Republic_2013?lang=en (2017)
|
2018/02/16
|
|
Denmark
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
|
2016/10/14
|
|
Djibouti
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Only one chamber in the national legislature
Source:
“Djibouti’s Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2010.” Constitute Project, 27 Apr. 2022, www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Djibouti_2010.pdf?lang=en.
|
2023/07/11
|
|
Dominica
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
C: 30.
|
2003/01/21
|
|
Egypt
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
j. By appointment
|
The Senate shall consist of a number of members determined by law, not less than 180 members. Two-thirds of the members of the Council shall be elected by direct secret universal suffrage. The President of the Republic shall appoint the remaining third and the elections shall be held in accordance with the law.
Source:
Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt 2014, art. 250:
http://www.sis.gov.eg/Newvr/Dustor-en001.pdf (2014).
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Fiji
|
l. Other
|
The Senate consists of 32 members. 14 are appointed by the President on the advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, 9 are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 are appointed by the President on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and 1 is appointed by the president on the advice of the Council of Rotuma.
Source:
Constitution Part 3, Section 64
|
2003/06/29
|
|
Finland
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Section 24: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
|
2012/05/21
|
|
France
|
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
|
e) In departments where maximum three senators are elected, the election shall be by majority vote in two rounds. In departments where at least four senators are elected, elections are held under proportional representation according to the rule of the highest average.
Source:
Electoral code, Art. L294, L295
|
2012/05/02
|
|
French Polynesia
|
d. Two-Round System
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L.294.
|
2004/01/15
|
|
Georgia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution of Georgia, chapter 3:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Georgia_2018?lang=en
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
j. By appointment
|
(1) The Bundesrat shall consist of members of the Land governments, which appoint and recall them.
Other members of those governments may serve as alternates.
(2) Each Land shall have at least three votes; Länder with more than two million inhabitants shall have
four, Länder with more than six million inhabitants five and Länder with more than seven million
inhabitants six votes.
(3) Each Land may appoint as many members as it has votes. The votes of each Land may be cast
only as a unit and only by Members present or their alternates.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art.51
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
|
2021/11/15
|
|
Ghana
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The country has only one Chamber.
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Article 93 Section 2)
|
2005/07/01
|
|
Guyana
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, art. 51.
|
2002/07/08
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001, Art. 3: http://www.vatican.va/vatican_city_state/legislation/documents/scv_doc_20001126_legge-fondamentale-scv_it.html (2012);
Official Website of the Vatican City State: http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/StateDepartments/Legislative_and_executive_bodies.htm (2012)
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Hungary
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Hungarian parliament is unicameral.
Source:
Constitution art 19.
|
2002/07/05
|
|
Iceland
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Björn Fridfinnsson, Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, bjorn.fridfinnsson(a)dkm.stjr.is
|
2002/07/11
|
|
India
|
i. Single Transferable Vote
|
-The representatives of each State in the Council of States shall
be elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the
single transferable vote
Source:
Constitution, art. 80
|
2024/06/12
|
|
Ireland
|
j. By appointment
l. Other
|
j) 11 Senators are appointed by the Head of Government.
l) 49 Senators are indirectly elected by the proportional representation/single transferable vote system.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 18
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Italy
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
It is a proportional representation system. The seats in the Senate are distributed according to the percentage of votes received in each region. The minimum threshold is 20% for coalition and 3% for lists with no coalition (on a regional base). 12 seats are reserved to the "Abroad constituencies" (Circoscrizioni Estere).
Source:
Legislative Act: Law of 21 December 2005, n. 270, Art. 4
|
2012/04/16
|
|
Jamaica
|
j. By appointment
|
The Senate is composed of 21 members, all are appointed by the Governor-General, but while 13 are so acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, the remaining 8 must be appointed acting in accordance with the advice of the leader of the opposition.
Source:
C: 35.
|
2025/09/18
|
|
Japan
|
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
|
Source:
Electoral Code, article 4.
|
2003/06/25
|
|
Jordan
|
j. By appointment
|
The Upper House of Parliament, or The House of Senate, including the Speaker, shall consist of not more than one-half of the number of the members of the Chamber of Deputies. The House of Senate currently includes 75 members who are appointed by the King.
Source:
Constitution, art. 63: http://www.representatives.jo/sites/default/files/الدستور.pdf (2015)
|
2016/07/28
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
j. By appointment
l. Other
|
Art. 7
1. Election of deputies of the Senate of Parliament is taken part by electors – the citizens of the Republic, who are maslikhat deputies. (Constitutional Act on Elections, 2018, Art 9.-1)
2. Electors shall take part in the election of the Senate deputies on the equal basis and each of them shall have one vote at the election of a Senate deputy. (Constitutional Act on Elections, 2018, Art 9.-2)
3.The Senate shall be composed of deputies in the procedure stipulated by Constitutional Law: represented by two individuals from each region, city of republic significance, and the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Fifteen deputies of the Senate shall be assigned by the President of the Republic, accounting for the need to provide in the Senate for representation of national, cultural and other significant interests of the society. (Constitution of the RK, Art.50)
Source:
Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan as emended on June 29, 2018, Article 7: https://www.akorda.kz/en/constitution-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-50912
Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on March 10, 2017 art. 50:
https://www.akorda.kz/en/constitution-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-50912
|
2024/09/30
|
|
Kenya
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
the person who garners more votes is declared winner
Source:
The Election Act of 2011
The Constitution of Kenya 2010
|
2024/12/06
|
|
Kiribati
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Article 52, Constitution
|
2020/05/01
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2002/12/18
|
|
Lesotho
|
j. By appointment
|
The Senate shall consist of the twenty-two Principal Chiefs and eleven other Senators nominated in that behalf by the King acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State.
Source:
Constitution of Lesotho, art. 55: http://www.gov.ls/documents/Lesotho_Constitution.pdf
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2012/05/23
|
|
Lithuania
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2016/02/02
|
|
Luxembourg
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 50, 51
|
2015/06/05
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia is a representative body of the citizens and the legislative power of the Republic is vested in it. The organization and functioning of the Assembly are regulated by the Constitution and by the Rules of Procedure. (Art. 61)
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia (1991, with amendments through 2011) art. 61.
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=239363 (2016)
|
2020/04/15
|
|
Malawi
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2025/04/14
|
|
Maldives
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution 1998, article 63.
|
2004/08/24
|
|
Malta
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, art. 4 (1-2).
|
2012/06/26
|
|
Mexico
|
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
|
|
2010/04/28
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Not applicable. There is only one chamber.
|
2021/03/24
|
|
Monaco
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 4, 53
|
2023/09/11
|
|
Montenegro
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Montenegro, SU-SK Ref. no. 01-514/12, 19 October 2007, art. 82-94.
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Montenegro_2013?lang=en
|
2023/09/25
|
|
Morocco
|
l. Other
|
Members of the House of Counsellors are indirectly elected by representatives of the local and regional councils and trade unions for nine year terms.
Source:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2221.htm
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Nepal
|
l. Other
|
Three different systems are adopted in selection of the total 60 members: a) nomination of 10 by the King, b) 35 members, including 3 women, are elected by the members of the HOR on the basis of PR by means of the single transferable vote, and c) 15 members, 3 from each of five development regions, are elected on the basis of the system of single transferable vote by an electoral college consisting of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Village Development Committee (VDC) and Municipalities and Chief, Deputy Chief and Members of District Development Committee (DDC)
Source:
Constitution 1990, Article 46(a-c).
|
2004/08/13
|
|
Netherlands
|
l. Other
|
Elected by the members of the twelve provincial councils. Preferential vote for individual candidate on party list.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.2, Art.53 and 55.
|
2016/03/03
|
|
New Caledonia
|
d. Two-Round System
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L.294
|
2003/11/28
|
|
New Zealand
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2024/07/02
|
|
Niger
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/01/21
|
|
Nigeria
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
|
2015/02/14
|
|
Niue
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Niue Constitution Act 1978 Part 2, Article 16, Section 1.
|
2005/02/22
|
|
Norway
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art.73
|
2002/06/28
|
|
Palestine
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/03/02
|
|
Paraguay
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
Senators are elected in direct elections by the system of closed list proportional representation.
Source:
Law N.834, Articles 247 and 258.
|
2003/11/26
|
|
Portugal
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Romania
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
Source:
Constitution, article 59 (paragraph 3).
Law on Election of the Parliament, article 3 (paragraph 1) and article 66.
|
2004/11/19
|
|
Russian Federation
|
j. By appointment
|
According to the Law, the Federation Council consists of two delegates from each Russian constituent component, one representing the given region’s legislative assembly and the other representing the provincial executive authorities. There will be two different election procedures, one for each type of member. (art. 1.)
Candidates for the Senator from a constituent component’s legislature must be a member of the component region’s legislative assembly. He or she will be nominated as a candidate by the chairman of the regional legislative assembly, by one party faction represented in the assembly, or by at least one-fifth of the assembly members. Then, the regional legislative assembly will vote for one of the nominated candidates. (art. 3.)
The second type of delegate to the Federation Council, the regional executive authority representative, will be appointed by the Governor of that constituent component. The delegate will be selected from among three people named by the candidates for the office of Governor. The winner of the gubernatorial election appoints one of the three he or she previously named to serve on the Federation Council. (art. 4.)
Source:
Russia: New Procedure to Form the Parliament’s Upper Chamber
http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/russia-new-procedure-to-form-the-parliaments-upper-chamber/
Federal Law on the Procedure to Form the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly as on December 3 2012.
|
2016/06/02
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2020/04/14
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
j. By appointment
|
Senate has 11 members appointed by Governor General, of whom six are appointed with the advice of Prime Minister, three with the advice of opposition leader and two others by his own deliberate judgment, after he has consulted religious, economic and social bodies from which he considers those Senators should be selected.
Source:
C: 24.
|
2002/12/10
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The Congress is unicameral. Even though there exists the figure of senators, they form part of the House of Assembly.
Source:
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 24.
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Samoa
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/04/09
|
|
San Marino
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 3 (Available on the Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm)
|
2012/05/25
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/06/17
|
|
Senegal
|
l. Other
|
The upper chamber (Senate) was abolished in 2012.
Source:
Constitution Titre VI- du Parlement art. 60-1
|
2019/02/21
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Serbia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2022/07/05
|
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Seychelles
|
l. Other
|
N/A
Source:
N/A
|
2025/02/25
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/06/28
|
|
Slovakia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Mrs. Lívia Skultétyová, Head of the Election department, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, +421-7/4333 8662
|
2002/06/18
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|
Slovenia
|
l. Other
|
The National Council is the representative body for social, economic, professional and local interests. The National Council has forty members. The councillors are indirectly elected within the interest organizations or local communities. According to the principle of relative majority, the candidate with most votes wins the office. If two or more persons receive the same number of votes, a draw is used to settle the outcome.
General provisions on the election of the National Council and the election procedures are defined and regulated by the provisions of the Law on the National Council - LNC (Articles 1 to 42 and 64 to 67).
18 members of the National Council - representatives of functional interests - are elected on the electoral assembly. The representatives of the electoral body (electors) are elected within the interest organisations according to their internal rules.
The candidates for the members of the National Council are proposed by the interest organisations in compliance with their internal rules (Article 15).
- the four representatives of employers are elected by the chambers of commerce and the employers' associations,
- the four representatives of employees are elected by the representative unions (Article 26),
- the four representatives of farmers, small businesses and independent professionals are elected as follows: two representatives of farmers by the professional farmers' organisations, one representative of small businesses by the professional organisation of small businesses and one representative of independent professionals by the professional organisation of other independent professions (Articles 28 to 33).
- the six representatives of non-profit making organisations are elected as follows: one representative by the universities and high schools, one representative for the area of education by the professional teachers' organisation, one representative for the area of research activity by the professional researchers' organisation, one representative for the area of sport and culture by the professional organisation of cultural and sport workers, one representative for the field of medicine by the professional organisation of medical workers and associates and one representative for the area of social care by the professional social workers organisation (Articles 34 and 37).
The local communities elect 22 representatives of local interests to the National Council.
No more than 22 constituencies are to be formed for the election of the representatives of local interests. They may be formed for the area of one or several communities (Article 38).
Pursuant to Articles 39 and 40 an electoral body is formed for elections in each of the constituencies, and is composed of:
- the members of a representative body of the community if Council's members are elected in a constituency that covers the area of a single community;
- elected representatives of the communities if the members of the National Council are elected in a constituency that covers the area of two or more communities; the representatives of communities are elected by their representative bodies.
The local communities' representative bodies - parish councils accept rules, according to which they vote own representatives into electoral bodies as well as candidates for the members of the National Council. Electors and candidates for the National Council's membership are voted by parish councils with a secret ballot.
According to the LNC each parish may propose one candidate for the NC membership. Each parish has one place in the respective electoral body, disregarding the number of inhabitants, yet on every completed 5000 inhabitants belongs one place more.
Source:
Constitution, article 96.
|
2004/11/25
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Solomon Islands
|
l. Other
|
N/A
|
2004/04/29
|
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Somalia
|
l. Other
|
one chamber
Source:
article 2892) 1997 constitution
|
2005/08/25
|
|
South Africa
|
j. By appointment
|
Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are nominated by their political parties in the provincial legislatures and then appointed to the NCOP by the legislatures. The NCOP is made up of 90 provincial delegates, with each province represented by 10 delegates.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Art 60 & 61: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-2010/view
|
2024/11/28
|
|
Spain
|
l. Other
|
Combination of territorial and population proportional representation.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 69;
Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June, Art. 165
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Sri Lanka
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k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution 1978, article 62(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
|
2016/01/28
|
|
Sudan
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The unicameral parliament is composed of the National Assembly (al-Majlis al-Watani).
Source:
http://www.pogar.org/
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Sweden
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
The Instrument of Government, Ch. 3, Art. 2: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012)
|
2014/08/04
|
|
Switzerland
|
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
|
The election procedure is determined by cantonal law and varies from canton to canton. 1 canton uses the proportional system. All the other 25 cantons use a form of majority system.
6 cantons elect one senator each, the rest of the 25 cantons elect 2 senators each.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 150 (3): https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
|
2014/02/06
|
|
Tajikistan
|
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
j. By appointment
|
suffrage by secret ballot. The Majlisi Namoyandagon functions on a constant and professional basis. Only a person not younger than 30 years old, having only the citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan and a University Degree shall be elected as a deputy of Majlisi Namoyandagon.
Three quarters of the members of the Majlisi Milli are elected indirectly by way of secret ballot at joint assemblies of people's deputies of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast and its cities and rayons, oblasts and their cities and rayons, the city of Dushanbe and its rayons, cities and rayons of republican subordination (jointly). In the Majlisi Milli, the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, oblasts, the city of Dushanbe, [and] cities and rayons of republican subordination have an equal number of representatives.
One quarter of the members of the Majlisi Milli is appointed by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The Majlisi Milli functions on a convocational basis.
A person not younger than 30 years old, having only the citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan and a University Degree shall be elected as a member of Majlisi Milli.
Every former President of the Republic of Tajikistan is a lifetime member of the Majlisi Milli unless he declines to exercise this right.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, amended as of May 22, 2016, art. 49.
|
2025/02/17
|
|
Tanzania, United Republic of
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
|
|
2012/02/28
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2001/09/14
|
|
Tonga
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Unicameral Legislature
Source:
IPU Parline Database: https://data.ipu.org/node/174/basic-information?chamber_id=13543 (2021)
|
2021/09/13
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
j. By appointment
|
Of the thirty-one Senators—
(a) sixteen shall be appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister;
(b) six shall be appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and;
(c) nine shall be appointed by the President in his discretion from outstanding persons from economic or social or community organisations and other major fields of endeavour.
Source:
Constitution, art.40
|
2015/05/21
|
|
Tunisia
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The unicameral parliament is composed of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (Majlis Nawwāb esh-Sha‘b).
Source:
The Constitution of 26 January 2014, art. 50: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/TN/tunisia-constitution-of-26-january-2014/view (2014)
|
2019/08/05
|
|
Turkey
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Legislative power is vested in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on behalf of Turkish Nation. This power shall not be delegated.
Source:
Turkish Constitution, art. 7: https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/docs/constitution_en.pdf
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Tuvalu
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Tuvalu has a one chamber legislature.
Source:
Constitution, art. 81-82
|
2012/06/19
|
|
Ukraine
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, article 75
|
2014/05/21
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
j. By appointment
l. Other
|
j) Hereditary peers
Source:
The House of Lords Act 1999
|
2016/04/11
|
|
United States of America
|
a. Plurality (FPTP)
b. Alternative Vote
c. Block Vote
|
Members of the House of Representatives serve two year terms. They are elected during every mid-term and general election.
Each state can choose how to structure the electoral system.
Source:
https://www.usa.gov/midterm-state-and-local-elections ;
National Conference of State Legislatures:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-rise-of-ranked-choice-voting.aspx ;
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/ranked-choice-voting.aspx ;
https://www.fairvote.org/where_is_ranked_choice_voting_used ;
|
2024/09/30
|
|
Uruguay
|
g. List Proportional Representation
|
Direct election, party-list proportional representation system using the simple quotient and highest average formula for remainders.
Source:
Constitution, art. 95
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution of the republic of Vanuatu, art. 15: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/VU/vanuatu-constitution-of-the-republic-of-vanuatu/at_download/file
|
2016/01/26
|
|
Venezuela
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
The Asamblea Nacional is the national legislature.
Source:
Constitución, art. 186
|
2003/08/01
|
|
Viet Nam
|
k. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
NO chamber 2 in National Legislature.
Source:
Constitution, article 83
|
2021/04/07
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
d. Two-Round System
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L.294.
|
2004/01/15
|
|
Yemen
|
j. By appointment
|
The Consultative Council or Shura Council is composed of 111 seats, as of April 28, 2001, appointed by the president.
Source:
Constitution, chapter 3, part 2, section 1, article 126.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Zanzibar
|
l. Other
|
The legislature has only one chamber.
Source:
Constitution of Zanzibar. Translated from Kiswahili by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission.
|
2002/09/20
|
