|
total countries/territories: 115
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
a. No minimum
|
|
2016/02/15
|
|
Algeria
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
Electoral Law
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/26
|
|
American Samoa
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
American Samoa Code Title 6 Elections Chapter 8, 6.0805.
|
2005/02/16
|
|
Argentina
|
c. Not applicable
|
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.
Source:
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral Nacional — Ley 19945”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-19945-codigo-electoral-nacional-2019/ (2019)
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Austria
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2003/06/11
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2022/01/24
|
|
Bahamas
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2002/10/02
|
|
Bahrain
|
c. Not applicable
|
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. Not applicable
|
Source:
S. M. Asaduzzaman; Public Relations Officer; Bangladesh Election Commission. Email: [email protected]
|
2006/05/23
|
|
Barbados
|
c. Not applicable
|
The Senate is not an elected body.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.5, Section 36.
|
2003/06/10
|
|
Belarus
|
c. Not applicable
|
Parties are not competing in elections, but the candidates can be members of the parties. The membership is not a disqualifying reason.
Source:
Code on Elections, article 98.
|
2002/09/09
|
|
Belgium
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
5% of all valid votes in each linguistic community (Dutch or French)
Source:
Electoral Code, Art. 165 bis (1)
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
c. Not applicable
|
Members are appointed.
Source:
EL: Representation of the People Act (ROPA) 17 (1) and (3).
|
2004/10/27
|
|
Benin
|
c. Not applicable
|
no chamber 2
|
2005/01/16
|
|
Brazil
|
a. No minimum
|
Article 83:
In direct elections for the Federal Senate, for mayor, and for vice mayor, the majority principle shall be adopted.
Source:
Electoral Code - Law No. 4,737, of July 15, 1965, Article 83, 106-113:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/codigo-eleitoral-1/codigo-eleitoral-lei-nb0-4.737-de-15-de-julho-de-1965
|
2024/10/23
|
|
Bulgaria
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution, articles 62-64.
|
2004/11/02
|
|
Cameroon
|
c. Not applicable
|
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 Article 20 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
|
2018/11/07
|
|
Canada
|
c. Not applicable
|
Senators are appointed.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution Acts 1867-1982, art. 22-24.
|
2010/06/16
|
|
Cape Verde
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Fernando Monteiro, member of the Electoral Commission, Cape Verde, fam(a)mailcvtelecom.cv
|
2002/06/19
|
|
Chile
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
5%
Source:
Law of political parties, art. 18.603
|
2002/06/17
|
|
Colombia
|
a. No minimum
|
In 2006, this situation is going to change.
Source:
CNE
|
2003/07/30
|
|
Croatia
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, articles 70 and 71.
|
2002/08/23
|
|
Cyprus
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 61
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
a. No minimum
|
For elections to the Senate, individuals stand as candidates and there are not any party lists. The winner is the candidate who obtains the absolute majority of valid votes. If none do so, a second round of elections is held. Only the 2 candidates who obtain the most votes in the first round move into the second round. The one who obtains more votes in the second round wins. If there is a tie, the winner is chosen by lot.
Source:
Articles 75-76 of the Electoral Act on Elections to the Parliament (Law Digest no. 247/1995 as amended)
|
2002/06/11
|
|
Denmark
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2015/06/08
|
|
Djibouti
|
c. Not applicable
|
there is only one chamber
Source:
Article 45 of the constitution
|
2023/07/11
|
|
Dominica
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
C: 30.
|
2003/01/21
|
|
Egypt
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
For list-based elections, the winning list must also secure an absolute majority. If this is not achieved, a runoff is held between the top two lists, with the one receiving the most valid votes winning.
Source:
https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/211214?lang=en-us
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Eritrea
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2011/06/21
|
|
Fiji
|
c. Not applicable
|
appointed seats.
Source:
Constitution Section 64
|
2003/06/30
|
|
Finland
|
c. Not applicable
|
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. Specify the percentage:
|
a) In departments where maximum three senators are elected, candidates must obtain the absolute majority of votes and a number of votes equal to 1/4 of registered voters. 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
|
a. No minimum
|
Does not apply
|
2003/07/01
|
|
Georgia
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution of Georgia, chapter 3:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Georgia_2018?lang=en
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
c. Not applicable
|
Senators are appointed by the State governments.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art.51(1-3)
|
2021/11/15
|
|
Ghana
|
c. Not applicable
|
Ghana has only one chamber.
Source:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana ( Article 93 )
|
2005/07/01
|
|
Guyana
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution, art. 51.
|
2004/09/03
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
c. Not applicable
|
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. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
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. Not applicable
|
Source:
Björn Fridfinnsson, Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, bjorn.fridfinnsson(a)dkm.stjr.is
|
2002/07/11
|
|
India
|
a. No minimum
|
"For the Rajya Sabha the quota is set at the number of votes that can be attained by just enough MPs to fill all the seats but no more. Votes that are deemed surplus, those given to candidates who have already got a full quota of votes, or votes given to candidates who are deemed to be losing candidates, are transferred according to the voter's listed preferences, until the right number of candidates have been elected."
Source:
https://indiapolicy.org/clearinghouse/electoral.html
|
2002/06/25
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2016/01/22
|
|
Ireland
|
a. No minimum
|
The quota is the minimum number of votes necessary to guarantee the election of a candidate. It is ascertained by dividing the total value of the valid votes by one more than the number of seats to be filled and adding one to the result
Source:
Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,3724,en.pdf (2012)
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Israel
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
Single Parties or Lists must obtain at least 8% of the valid votes, coalition must obtain 20%.
Source:
Legislative Act: Law of 21 December 2005, n. 270, Art. 4(7)b
|
2012/04/16
|
|
Jamaica
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2003/09/22
|
|
Japan
|
c. Not applicable
|
Combination of a. and b.
b. 2% of the valid votes.
Source:
Electoral Code, article 95-2.
|
2003/07/14
|
|
Jordan
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2016/08/01
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/02/16
|
|
Kenya
|
a. No minimum
|
No written law imposes a minimum threshold for a party to win seats in the Senate.
|
2012/03/14
|
|
Kiribati
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
|
2020/05/01
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of only one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, article 40.
|
2003/01/10
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/02/16
|
|
Lesotho
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/23
|
|
Lithuania
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania (1992) as amended on 25 April 2006, Art. 55
|
2016/02/02
|
|
Luxembourg
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only
Source:
Constitution, Art. 50, 51
|
2015/06/05
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
c. Not applicable
|
The Republic of North Macedonia has a unicameral parliament.
|
2020/04/15
|
|
Maldives
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution 1998, article 63.
|
2004/08/24
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2005/02/23
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/03/24
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Monaco
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 4, 53
|
2012/04/27
|
|
Montenegro
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2023/09/25
|
|
Morocco
|
a. No minimum
|
Source:
http://www.pogar.org/
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Nepal
|
a. No minimum
|
There is no mention of minimum threshold of votes required for a party to win seats elections in chamber 2 either in the Constitution or the Electoral law.
Source:
Constitutiton.
|
2004/10/06
|
|
Netherlands
|
a. No minimum
|
Source:
Heemskerk, Ruud, Member of the National Election Board, stemid(a)worldonline.nl
|
2016/03/04
|
|
New Caledonia
|
a. No minimum
|
|
2003/07/01
|
|
New Zealand
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2024/07/02
|
|
Niger
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2005/01/21
|
|
Nigeria
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2015/02/14
|
|
Niue
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2005/02/22
|
|
Norway
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art.73
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Palestine
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/02
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. No minimum
|
The no obtention of at least 1% of valid votes in the last two pluripersonal general elections is cause of extintion for political parties or movements.
Source:
Law N.834, Article 78.
|
2003/11/26
|
|
Portugal
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Romania
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
5%
Source:
Emergency Decree 129/2000, article 1 (paragraph 5).
|
2002/08/21
|
|
Russian Federation
|
c. Not applicable
|
Members of the Federal Council are appointed.
Source:
Federal Law on the Procedure to Form the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly as on December 3 2012. (art.1)
|
2016/05/31
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2020/04/14
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
c. Not applicable
|
Senators are appointed.
Source:
C: 24.
|
2002/12/10
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature is unicameral.
Source:
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 24.
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Samoa
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/04/09
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2021/06/17
|
|
Serbia
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2022/07/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2025/02/25
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
b. Specify the percentage:
|
The basis of allocating seats to political parties under the district block representation system will be the total number of valid votes cast in each district, referred to as the total district votes. The total district will be obtained by adding up the valid votes from all the polling stations in the district. In the section "population quota" means the nuimber obtained by dividing the number of inhabitants of SL by the number of constituencies into which SL is divided.
Source:
The Electoral Laws Act 2002 Section 57 (2) Formula for Allocating Seats Under the District Block Representation System.
Article 38 (6) of the SL Constitution.
|
2005/06/28
|
|
Slovakia
|
c. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Mrs. Lívia Skultétyová, Head of the Election department, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, +421-7/4333 8662
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Slovenia
|
c. Not applicable
|
The National Council is the representative body for social, economic, professional and local interests.
Source:
Constitution, article 96.
|
2002/08/27
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2004/04/29
|
|
Somalia
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
article 28 1997 constitution
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Spain
|
a. No minimum
|
It depends on the Province and its population.
Source:
Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June, Art. 166(1)b
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
c. Not applicable
|
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. Not applicable
|
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. Not applicable
|
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
|
a. No minimum
|
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.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 150;
Federal Law of 17 December 1976 (as amended) regulating political rights, Art. 47, 50: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2012)
|
2012/05/11
|
|
Taiwan
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2020/03/26
|
|
Tanzania, United Republic of
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2025/12/01
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2001/09/14
|
|
Tonga
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2003/07/18
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
c. Not applicable
|
Senators are directly appointed by the President.
Source:
Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, Article 40 [1]
|
2015/05/21
|
|
Tunisia
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2019/08/05
|
|
Turkey
|
c. Not applicable
|
The Parliament is unicameral.
Source:
Turkish Constitution, art. 7: https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/docs/constitution_en.pdf
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Tuvalu
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2003/07/28
|
|
Uganda
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2025/12/02
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
c. Not applicable
|
Source:
The House of Lords Act 1999: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/34/contents (2012)
|
2016/04/11
|
|
United States of America
|
a. No minimum
|
Source:
The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
|
2016/02/12
|
|
Uruguay
|
a. No minimum
|
Source:
Mr. Carlos Urruty, President, Corte Electoral
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2009/08/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
c. Not applicable
|
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. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitución, art. 186
|
2003/11/12
|
|
Viet Nam
|
c. Not applicable
|
There is no second chamber.
Source:
Constitution, article 83
|
2021/04/07
|
|
Yemen
|
c. Not applicable
|
The Consultative Council or Shura Council is composed of 111 seats, as of April 28, 2001, appointed by the president. So there are no elections in the first place.
Source:
Constitution, chapter 3, part 2, section 1, articles 125 and 126.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/08
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
c. Not applicable
|
|
2018/10/30
|
