|
total countries/territories: 112
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
a. Yes
|
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. The President shall appoint fifty percent of these individuals from amongst women.
Source:
Constitution of Afghanistan, Ch.5 art. 84 sec. 3: http://www.afghanembassy.com.pl/afg/images/pliki/TheConstitution.pdf (2015).
|
2016/10/11
|
|
Algeria
|
b. No
|
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/26
|
|
Argentina
|
a. Yes
|
Source:
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral Nacional — Ley 19945”, art. 61bis: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-19945-codigo-electoral-nacional-2019/ (2019)
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Austria
|
b. No
|
|
2003/06/11
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2022/01/24
|
|
Bahamas
|
b. No
|
|
2002/10/02
|
|
Bahrain
|
b. No
|
The 40 members of the Consultative Council are appointed by 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.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Bangladesh
|
c. 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
|
a. Yes
|
"Seven Senators shall be appointed by the Governor General, acting at his discretion, by instrument under the Public Seal, to represent religious, economic or social interests or such other interests as the Governor-General considers ought to be represented."
Source:
Constitution, Ch.5, Section 36.
|
2003/06/10
|
|
Belarus
|
b. No
|
Source:
Code on Elections
|
2002/07/15
|
|
Belgium
|
a. Yes
|
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, 72
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
a. Yes
|
The Governor-General appoints Senators, according to the following criteria: 3 seats for the Opposition, 6 seats for the Government and 1 seat for the Business Community, 1 seat for the Church, and 1 seat for the Trade Union.
Source:
Electoral Office.
|
2004/10/27
|
|
Benin
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/01/16
|
|
Brazil
|
b. No
|
The Brazilian Federal Senate, there are also no special constituencies or reserved seats for specific groups.
Source:
Supremo Tribunal Eleitoral (TSE) - Superior Electoral Court
|
2024/10/22
|
|
Bulgaria
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, articles 62-64.
|
2004/11/02
|
|
Cameroon
|
a. Yes
|
Certain electoral constituencies could be warded on the grounds of their peculiar situation by a decree of the President of the Republic.
Source:
Electoral Code Chapter VI section 149 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
|
2018/11/07
|
|
Canada
|
b. No
|
No formal legislation supporting special seats but there may be an informal practice.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution Acts 1867-1982, art. 22
|
2010/06/18
|
|
Cape Verde
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2001/10/04
|
|
Chile
|
b. No
|
No special seats are reserved for any interest group.
|
2002/06/17
|
|
Colombia
|
a. Yes
|
1 Special National Circumscription (2 seats) for Indeginous communities.
Source:
Constitución, art. 171
|
2003/07/29
|
|
Croatia
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, articles 70 and 71.
|
2002/08/23
|
|
Cyprus
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 61
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
b. No
|
Any Czech national who is a member of a minority stands as a candidate for the election under the same conditions as any other Czech national.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.2, Art.19
|
2002/06/11
|
|
Denmark
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2015/06/08
|
|
Djibouti
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Article 45 of the constitution
|
2023/07/11
|
|
Dominica
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
C: 30.
|
2003/01/21
|
|
Egypt
|
a. Yes
|
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Eritrea
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2011/06/21
|
|
Fiji
|
b. No
|
Senate consists of 32 members. 14 are appointed by the President on the advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, 9 are 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 Section 64
|
2003/06/30
|
|
Finland
|
c. 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
|
b. No
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Art. 274, 279
|
2012/05/02
|
|
French Polynesia
|
b. No
|
Does not apply.
|
2003/07/01
|
|
Georgia
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution of Georgia, art.37:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Georgia_2018?lang=en
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
b. No
|
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art.51 (1-3)
|
2021/11/15
|
|
Ghana
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Ghana has only one Chamber
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana( Article 93 )
|
2005/07/01
|
|
Guyana
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, art. 51.
|
2002/07/08
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
c. 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
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
András Vincze, Ministry of Interior, central data processing, registration and election office, indep(a)konyv.kozig.b-m.hu
|
2002/07/05
|
|
Iceland
|
c. 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
|
a. Yes
|
Twelve members are nominated by the President from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
Source:
Constitution, art.80
|
2024/06/12
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2016/01/22
|
|
Ireland
|
a. Yes
|
Three members shall be elected by the National University of Ireland.
Three shall be elected by the University of Dublin.
Forty-three shall be elected from panels of candidates representing specified vocational interests. Eleven members are nominated by the Taoiseach (Prime Minister).
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 18
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
a. Yes
|
6 seats are reserved for the "Abroad Constituencies" ("Circoscrizioni Estere"). Furthermore, special extra seats are reserved to the Senators appointed for life, ("Senatori a vita"). Former Presidents and distinguished people (appointed by the President) can become Senators for Life. Currently there are 6.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 57 and 59
|
2012/04/16
|
|
Jamaica
|
b. No
|
|
2003/09/22
|
|
Japan
|
b. No
|
Source:
Constitution, article 44.
|
2003/06/25
|
|
Jordan
|
b. No
|
|
2016/07/28
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
a. Yes
|
The Senate shall be composed of deputies representing, in accordance with the procedure established by constitutional law, two deputies from each region, city of republican importance and the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Ten deputies of the Senate shall be appointed by the President of the Republic, five of whom shall be appointed on the proposal of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on March 10, 2017 art. 50:
https://www.election.gov.kz/eng/election-legal-framework/the-constitution-of-the-rk.php
|
2024/10/16
|
|
Kenya
|
a. Yes
|
Source:
The Constitution of Kenya Article 98
|
2024/12/06
|
|
Kiribati
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2020/05/01
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, article 40.
|
2003/01/10
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/02/16
|
|
Lesotho
|
b. No
|
Source:
Constitution of Lesotho, art. 55: http://www.gov.ls/documents/Lesotho_Constitution.pdf
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2012/05/23
|
|
Lithuania
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania (1992) as amended on 25 April 2006, Art. 55
|
2016/02/02
|
|
Luxembourg
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 50, 51
|
2012/04/23
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2020/04/15
|
|
Maldives
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution 1998, article 63.
|
2004/08/24
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/02/23
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/03/24
|
|
Monaco
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 4, 53
|
2012/04/27
|
|
Montenegro
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2023/09/25
|
|
Morocco
|
b. No
|
Source:
House of Counsellors Law, part 1, articles 1, 2 and 3.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Nepal
|
a. Yes
|
3 out of total 60 seats is allocated for women.
Source:
Constitution 1990, article 46(1 b)
|
2004/08/16
|
|
Netherlands
|
b. No
|
Not mentioned in Constitution or Elections Act
|
2016/03/04
|
|
New Caledonia
|
b. No
|
|
2003/07/11
|
|
New Zealand
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2024/07/02
|
|
Niger
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/01/21
|
|
Nigeria
|
b. No
|
|
2015/02/14
|
|
Niue
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/02/22
|
|
Norway
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution, Art.73
|
2002/06/26
|
|
Palestine
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2005/03/02
|
|
Paraguay
|
b. No
|
There are no special constituencies or seats reserved for specific groups. But ex-presidents will be Senators for life, without being counted in the quorum and just with voice right.
Source:
National Constitution of Paraguay, Articles 189 and Law N. 834.
|
2003/11/26
|
|
Portugal
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Romania
|
b. No
|
Source:
Constitution.
Law on Election of the Parliament.
|
2004/11/22
|
|
Russian Federation
|
b. No
|
|
2016/05/31
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2020/04/14
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
b. No
|
|
2002/12/10
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 24.
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Samoa
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/04/09
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2021/06/17
|
|
Senegal
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2019/02/21
|
|
Serbia
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2022/07/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2025/02/25
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
SL Constitution
|
2005/06/28
|
|
Slovakia
|
c. 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
|
|
Slovenia
|
a. Yes
|
The whole 2nd Chamber is construed for specific groups.
The National Council, which has 40 members, is the representative body for social, economic, professional and local interests.
Source:
Constitution, article 96.
|
2002/08/27
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2004/04/29
|
|
Somalia
|
b. No
|
unicameral
Source:
article 28 1997 constitution
|
2005/08/25
|
|
Spain
|
b. No
|
Source:
Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June, Art. 165 and 166
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
c. 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
|
c. 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
|
c. 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
|
b. No
|
6 cantons elect one senator each, the rest of the 25 cantons elect 2 senators each.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 150
|
2012/05/11
|
|
Taiwan
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2020/03/26
|
|
Tanzania, United Republic of
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2025/12/01
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2001/09/14
|
|
Tonga
|
c. 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
|
b. No
|
Source:
Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, Article 43-46
|
2015/05/21
|
|
Tunisia
|
c. 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)
|
2016/06/06
|
|
Turkey
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Turkish Constitution, article 75.
|
2015/06/01
|
|
Tuvalu
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2003/08/01
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
a. Yes
|
a) Seats are reserved for 26 Bishops of the Church of England and 92 hereditary peers elected by their fellows.
Source:
The House of Lords Act 1999: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/34/contents (2012)
|
2016/04/11
|
|
United States of America
|
b. No
|
|
2016/02/12
|
|
Uruguay
|
b. No
|
Source:
Mr. Carlos Urruty, President, Corte Electoral
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
|
2009/08/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
c. 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
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Source:
Constitución, art. 186
|
2003/09/26
|
|
Viet Nam
|
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
|
Not applicable
Source:
Constitution, article 83
|
2021/04/07
|
|
Yemen
|
b. No
|
The President appoints the 111 members of the second chamber but there are no specifications for minorities or specific groups.
Source:
Constitution, chapter 3, part 2, section 1, articles 125 and 126.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/08
|
