|
total countries/territories: 112
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Algeria
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
The members of the Council serve for 6 year terms. 1\2 of the members of the Council, except for its president are renewed every 3 years.
Source:
Electoral Law, art. 122
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/26
|
|
American Samoa
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
Term of Office for the Representatives is 2 years. Elections occur at fixed intervals every even numbered year beginning on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November and ending not later than 4 weeks later.
Source:
Revised Constitution of American Samoa Article 2, Section 5.
|
2005/02/16
|
|
Argentina
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
Article 56.- Senators last six years in the exercise of their mandate, and are indefinitely re-eligible; but the Senate will be renewed at the rate of one-third of the electoral districts every two years.
Source:
Constitution: “Constitución de la Nación Argentina — Ley 24430, texto oficial ordenado”, art. 56: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-constitucion-nacional-reformas-1994/ (2019)
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Austria
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2003/06/11
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2022/01/24
|
|
Bahamas
|
e. Not applicable
|
All seats become vacant upon the next dissolution of Parliament.
Source:
C: 43.
|
2002/10/02
|
|
Bahrain
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
The Consultative Council is appointed by the King every 4 years.
Source:
Constitution 2002, chapter 4, part 3, section 1, article 54-
The Law of the Shura Council and the Parliament, issued by Decree no 14 for 2002, article 2.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Bangladesh
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
S. M. Asaduzzaman; Public Relations Officer; Bangladesh Election Commission. Email: [email protected]
|
2006/05/23
|
|
Barbados
|
e. Not applicable
|
The maximum duration of parliament is five years. There is a simultaneous dissolution of both Houses of Parliament, with elections called by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators are appointed by the Governor General. When Chamber 1 is dissolved so is Chamber 2.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.5, Section 39 and 61.
|
2003/06/10
|
|
Belarus
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
Every four years.
Source:
Constitution, article 93.
|
2002/09/09
|
|
Belgium
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
a) Every 4 years
b) By the King (i.e the government), on request of the Prime Minister
c) Elections are held the first Sunday after the expiration of the four year period of mandate. If it falls on a holiday, elections are postponed until the following Sunday
Source:
Electoral Code, Art. 105, 106
|
2012/05/04
|
|
Belize
|
e. Not applicable
|
Every Senator shall vacate his seat at the next dissolution of the National Assembly after his appointment.
Source:
C: 64.
|
2003/06/13
|
|
Benin
|
e. Not applicable
|
no chameber 2
|
2005/01/16
|
|
Brazil
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
Electoral Code:
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.
Constitution:
Article 77:
The election of the President and Vice President of the Republic shall take place simultaneously on the first Sunday of October in the first round, and on the last Sunday of October in the second round, if necessary, in the year prior to the end of the current presidential term.
Law on Elections:
Article 1:
Elections for the President and Vice President of the Republic, governors and vice governors of the states and the Federal District, mayors and vice mayors, senators, federal deputies, state deputies, district deputies, and councilors shall be held throughout the country on the first Sunday of October of the respective year.
Source:
Electoral Code - Law No. 4,737, of July 15, 1965, Article 85:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/codigo-eleitoral-1/codigo-eleitoral-lei-nb0-4.737-de-15-de-julho-de-1965
Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, 1988, Article 77:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/constituicao-federal/constituicao-da-republica-federativa-do-brasil
Law No. 9,504, September 30, 1997, Article 1:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/lei-das-eleicoes/lei-das-eleicoes-lei-nb0-9.504-de-30-de-setembro-de-1997
|
2024/10/23
|
|
Bulgaria
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution, articles 62-64.
|
2004/11/02
|
|
Cameroon
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
Members of Parliament shall be elected for a term of 5 (five)years
Source:
Electoral Code Chapter I section 148 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
|
2018/11/07
|
|
Canada
|
e. Not applicable
|
Senators are appointed until the age of 75. No election.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution Acts 1867-1982, art. 24 & 29
|
2010/06/17
|
|
Cape Verde
|
e. 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
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
4 years
Source:
Constitution, Art. 43
|
2002/06/17
|
|
Colombia
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
4 year terms.
Source:
Constitución, art. 132
|
2003/07/29
|
|
Croatia
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, articles 70 and 71.
|
2002/08/23
|
|
Cyprus
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 61
|
2012/04/26
|
|
Czech Republic
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
a.) Senators serve for 6 years. Every 2 years, elections are held for one third of the Senate seats. The Senate elections are usually held in November.
Elections to the House of Deputies and the Senate must be held within a term beginning on the thirtieth day prior to the expiration of the electoral term and ending on the day of its expiration.
The elections must be called by the President at least 90 days in advance before election day.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 16-18
Section 1, Part 3 (Articles 56-80) of the Electoral Act on Elections to Parliament (Law Digest no. 247/1995 as amended)
|
2002/06/26
|
|
Denmark
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2015/06/08
|
|
Djibouti
|
e. Not applicable
|
There is only one chamber
Source:
Article 45 of the constitution
|
2023/07/11
|
|
Dominica
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
C: 30.
|
2003/01/21
|
|
Egypt
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
The term of membership in the House of Representatives is five calendar years, commencing from the date of its first session.
Source:
Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt 2014, revised 2019 art. 106:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Egypt_2019 (2014, revised 2019).
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Eritrea
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2011/06/21
|
|
Fiji
|
e. Not applicable
|
Appointed Seats
Source:
Constitution Section 64
|
2003/06/30
|
|
Finland
|
e. 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
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
a) Every 6 years
c) On a Sunday
Source:
a) Electoral Code, Art. LO275
c) Electoral Code, Art. L311
|
2012/05/02
|
|
French Polynesia
|
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
On "the 7th Sunday following the publication of the decree calling Senatorial Voters to the vote".
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L311 and L.442.
|
2004/01/15
|
|
Georgia
|
e. Not applicable
|
The Parliament is unicameral.
Source:
Constitution of Georgia, chapter 3:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Georgia_2018?lang=en
|
2024/07/24
|
|
Germany
|
e. Not applicable
|
Senators are appointed by the State governments.
Source:
Constitution, Ch.4, Art.51
|
2021/11/15
|
|
Ghana
|
e. Not applicable
|
Same as ES12
Source:
Same as ES12
|
2005/07/01
|
|
Guyana
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution, art. 51.
|
2004/09/03
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
e. 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
|
e. 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
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Björn Fridfinnsson, Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, bjorn.fridfinnsson(a)dkm.stjr.is
|
2002/07/11
|
|
India
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
d. Other
|
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and is not subject to dissolution. But as nearly as possible, one-third of the members of Rajya Sabha retire after every two years in accordance with the provisions made by the Parliament by law. Thus, the members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years.
Source:
https://www.elections.in/rajya-sabha.html
|
2024/06/12
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2016/01/22
|
|
Ireland
|
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
b) Elections can be called at any time by order of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A general election for the Senate shall take place not later than ninety days after a dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 18(8);
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
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
The Parliament has a 5 years mandate. However, the Chamber and the Senate can vote a "no confidence" initiative against the government. In this event, the President will dissolve one or both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate and call for new elections.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 88 and 94
|
2012/04/16
|
|
Jamaica
|
d. Other
e. Not applicable
|
Senators are not elected. Nevertheless, all seats became vacant upon the dissolution of Parliament.
Source:
C: 41(1).
|
2025/09/18
|
|
Japan
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
Elections must be called every 3 years in order to renew half of the members of the Chamber.
Source:
Constitution, article 46.
|
2003/07/14
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
1. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall: (…) 2) appoint regular and special elections to the Parliament of the Republic and its Chambers; (…). (Constitution of the RK, Art 44-1.2)
5. The term of powers of the Senate’s deputies shall be six years, and the term of the deputies of the Mazhilis shall be five years. (Constitution of the RK, Art 50-5)
2. The election of deputies of the Senate shall be carried out on the basis of indirect suffrage by secret ballot. Half of the elected deputies of the Senate shall be re-elected every three years. In this case, their regular elections shall be held no later than two months before the expiry of their term of office. (Constitution of the RK, Art 51-2)
Constitutional Act on Elections, Art 69-1:
1. The reasons for the calling:
1) the regular election shall be the end of the constitutional term of office of the Senate deputies;
2) the early election - the pre-term termination of the term of office of the Parliament, formation of the corresponding administrative-territorial units which do not have representation in the Senate;
3) the by-election shall be the pre-term termination of the term of office of the deputy, the deprivation of his mandate or his/her death.
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on March 10, 2017 art. 44, 50 and 51:
https://www.election.gov.kz/eng/election-legal-framework/the-constitution-of-the-rk.php
Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on June 29, 2018, Article 69: https://www.election.gov.kz/eng/election-legal-framework/the-laws-of-the-rk.php
|
2024/10/17
|
|
Kenya
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
Elections of the Senate are held during the General elections which are held every second Tuesday of August every 5 years.
Source:
The Constitution of Kenya
|
2012/03/14
|
|
Kiribati
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
|
2020/05/01
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of only one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, article 40.
|
2003/01/10
|
|
Lesotho
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/23
|
|
Lithuania
|
e. 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
|
2002/08/30
|
|
Luxembourg
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only
Source:
Constitution, Art. 50, 51
|
2015/06/05
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
e. Not applicable
|
The parliamment is unicameral.
|
2020/04/15
|
|
Maldives
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Constitution 1988, article 63.
|
2004/08/24
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/02/23
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/03/24
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/03/30
|
|
Monaco
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, Art. 4, 53
|
2012/04/27
|
|
Montenegro
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2023/09/25
|
|
Morocco
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
The 270 members of the second chamber are indirectly elected by members of electoral colleges for a nine-year term.
Source:
Constitution, part 3, article 38.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Nepal
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
The tenure of a member is 6 years but since it is a permanent house one third of them is replaced by every two years.
Please note that there is no direct elections to the lower house.
Source:
Constitution 1990, article 46(2).
|
2004/10/06
|
|
Netherlands
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
The duration of both Chambers shall be four years
Each of the Chambers may be dissolved by Royal Decree ... The duration of a Second Chamber that meets following a dissolution shall be determined by Act of Parliament; the term may not exceed five years. The duration of a First Chamber that meets following a dissolution shall end at the time at which the duration of the dissolved Chamber would have ended.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 52(1) and 64(1, 4): http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/nl00000_.html
|
2016/03/04
|
|
New Caledonia
|
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
Sunday.
Source:
Electoral Code, Articles L.311 and L.442.
|
2003/11/28
|
|
New Zealand
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2024/07/02
|
|
Niger
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
l'article 66 de la constitution
|
2005/01/21
|
|
Nigeria
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
4 Years.
|
2015/02/14
|
|
Niue
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/02/22
|
|
Norway
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, Art.73
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Palestine
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature consists of one chamber only.
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/03/02
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
General elections take place the month of April or May of the respective year, every five years.
Source:
Articles 187 and 229 National Constituction of Paraguay and 154 Law N¹ 834.
|
2003/07/14
|
|
Portugal
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Romania
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
a.) Every 4 years. Elections shall be held within three months from the expiration of the term of office or the dissolution.
c.) Sunday
Source:
Constitution, article 60 (paragraph 2).
Law on Election of the Parliament, article 6 (paragraphs 1 and 2).
|
2004/11/25
|
|
Russian Federation
|
e. Not applicable
|
The members of the Federal Council are not elected - two persons are sent from each Subject (one represents the legislature, the other executive power). The method of appointing these persons differs in each Subject.
Source:
Federal Law on the Procedure to Form the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly as on December 3 2012.
|
2016/05/31
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2020/04/14
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
e. Not applicable
|
Even though senators are appointed, all seats become vacant upon the next dissolution of Parliament.
Source:
C: 27.
|
2003/01/16
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
e. Not applicable
|
The national legislature is unicameral.
Source:
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 24.
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Samoa
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/04/09
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2021/06/17
|
|
Senegal
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2019/02/21
|
|
Serbia
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2022/07/05
|
|
Seychelles
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2025/02/25
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2005/06/28
|
|
Slovakia
|
e. 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
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
a.) The general elections, where all members of the National Council are elected, are to be carried out no sooner than two months and no later than fifteen days prior to the end of the Five year term in office.
Source:
Law on the National Council, articles 4 and 5.
|
2004/11/26
|
|
Somalia
|
e. Not applicable
|
unicameral
Source:
article 28 1997 constitution
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Spain
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
b. Elections can be called at any time (specify by whom)
|
a) Elections are held every four (4) years.
b) Both chambers can be dissolved by the Head of Government and elections can be called in advance.
Source:
a) Constitution, Art. 69(6) and 99(5);
b) Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June, Art. 167(3)
|
2012/04/17
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
e. 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
|
e. 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
|
e. 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. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
a) 4 years
c) The election of 39 of the 46 members in the Council of States takes place at the same time as the National Council elections, the third Sunday in October. The election of the members from the cantons Zug and Grisons takes place during the year preceding the National Council elections. In the cantons, Appenzell (Inner Rhodes), the "Landsgemeinde" (historically a meeting of the whole population) proceeds to elect the senators.
Source:
Official Website of the Federal Assembly. http://www.parlament.ch/f/wahlen-abstimmungen/parlamentswahlen/staenderatswahlen/Pages/default.aspx (2012)
|
2012/05/11
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2001/09/14
|
|
Tonga
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2003/08/14
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
e. Not applicable
|
Senators are directly appointed by the President.
Source:
Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, Article 40 [1]
|
2015/05/21
|
|
Tunisia
|
e. Not applicable
|
The unicameral parliament is composed of the Assembly of People’s Representatives.
|
2019/08/05
|
|
Turkey
|
e. Not applicable
|
The parliament is unicameral.
Source:
Turkish Constitution, art. 7: https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/docs/constitution_en.pdf
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Tuvalu
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2003/07/28
|
|
Uganda
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2025/12/02
|
|
Ukraine
|
e. Not applicable
|
e.) The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Source:
Constitution, article 75
The Law on Elections of Peoples of Ukraine
|
2006/11/23
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
e. 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. At fixed intervals (specify length)
|
Elections are held for one third of the Senate every two years. Senators hold terms of six years.
Source:
Article I Section 3, United States Constitution
|
2016/02/12
|
|
Uruguay
|
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
Elections for Chamber 1 and Chamber 2 take place at the same time: on the last Sunday of October every 5 years. This date is established in the Constitution.
Source:
Constitution, art. 77
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu article 15: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/VU/vanuatu-constitution-of-the-republic-of-vanuatu/at_download/file
|
2016/01/26
|
|
Venezuela
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitución, art. 186
|
2003/09/26
|
|
Viet Nam
|
e. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution, article 83
|
2021/03/23
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
|
Sunday.
Source:
Electoral Code, Articles L.311, and L.442.
|
2004/01/15
|
|
Yemen
|
e. Not applicable
|
Unlike the House of Representatives that serve for 6 years, there is no specific timing of the elections for the Consultative Council.
Source:
Constitution, Article 125 and 126.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/08
|
|
Zanzibar
|
e. Not applicable
|
The parliment of Zanzibar has one chamber.
Source:
Constitution of Zanzibar.
|
2002/09/23
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
e. Not applicable
|
|
2018/10/30
|
