The Question

This question is posted on behalf of Dr Norbert Masson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission of Trinidad & Tobago. 

I am preparing a paper regarding registration of political parties and also regulation of campaign financing in Trinidad & Tobago. There is some country evidence to back up the view that there should be some provision in the Constitution related to the regulation of these issues, which would of course be reflected in an appropriate piece of legislation, for example the current Representation of the People Act (ROP). 

This evidence relates to problems faced by the EMB in 2001 when two slates of candidates were received from a political party that had internal organizational problems. If for example there was an approved nomination officer that might not have occurred. The matter was settled by the Court. Currently there is nothing in law related to this example, either in the Constitution or in the ROP. 

Examples of constitutional provisions relating to political parties exist in Papua New Guinea, Peru and Chile, but what other country examples are there where a responsibility for the registration of political parties is enshrined in Constitutions?

Summary of Responses

In the discussion, members of the Practitioners’ Network identified several examples of countries where the responsibility for the registration of political parties is enshrined in Constitutions. One member further highlighted the fact that it is more likely to find provisions requiring the registration of political parties in a law than in a constitution, though the basis for political party legislation is often found in constitutions. Kenya is one example of such a case.

However, there are a number of countries whose constitutions detail the body with the responsibility of political party registration, including Bhutan, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Further examples and constitutional provisions are listed in the table 1 below.

In contrast to countries with constitutional provisions regarding political parties, India was cited as an example with no such provision. The Election Commission of India has been recommending such a law and this view was supported by a Constitutional Review Committee.

Examples of Related ACE Articles and Resources

• ACE Comparative Data Parties and Candidates offers a list where some countries’ constitutions provide for political party registration. Search the list by keyword "constitution."
• ACE Encyclopaedia Legal Framework topic area

External Resources

• International IDEA Political Finance database offers information on 180 countries and which of those that regulate political party and candidate finance matters (at least partly) in their Constitutions.

Names of Contributors

• John Hardin Young
• Manuel Wally
• Christine Ndayishimiye
• Praxedes Tororey
• Bucumi Julius
• Elin Falguera
• MCS Centre
• Alan Wall
• Bhojraj Pokharel
• Víctor Hugo Ajila
• Pipit Apriani

You may want to look at the Constitution of Nigeria, third Schedule (section 153) article 15(b) and (c) granting the Independent National Electoral Commission the power to "(b) register political parties in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly" and (c) "monitor the organization and operation of the political parties a, including their finances." These provisions are implemented through the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, sections 31-41; 78-102.

Jack Young

Dear Dr Masson,

ACE offers a short cut to identify countries whose constitutions provide for political party registration. Go to

http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDTable?question=PC001&view=country&set_language=en

and search the list by keyword "constitution." This will help you compile a short list of countries whose constitutions will yield the sought after provisions.

Best, 

Manuel Wally

Christine NDAYISHIMIYE du Burundi

L'enregistrement des partis politiques et le suivi de l'aspect financier de leurs campagnes sont des questions fondamentales pour l'organisation moderne d'un pays. En effet , c'est la vie des partis qui donne la saveur à la démocratie qui est actullement la forme la plus acceptée de gouvernement;

Dans mon pays le Burundi, la constitution consacre la valeur de l'unité nationale , elle donne ainsi le pouvoir d'enregistrer les partis politiques au Ministère de l'Intérieur en veillant à ce que ces partis soient crées avec une representativité de toutes les ethinies.

Po ur ce qui est des financements des partis politiques, la loi leur interdit de recevoir des aides provenant de l'extérieur du pays, et pour cause, les povoirs publics doivent veiller à la souvaireneté nationale car des financements non contrôlés peuvent nuire à la sécurité du pays; Ainsi, chaque parti politique est tenu de présenter annullement son rapport administratif et financier au Minstère de l'intérieur.

Concernant , le financement des campagnes des partis politiques par les pouvoirs publics, notre constitution prévoit que L'Etat peut financer les campagnes  des partis politiques. C'est à dire que c'est facultatif. L'Etat finance ces campagnes si il en a les moyens. Ainsi par exemple pour les dernières élections de 2010, L'Etat n'a rien donné aux partis politiques; mais il faut souligner qu'une nouvelle loi sur les partis politiques prévoit que désormais le Gouvernement va obligatoirement financer les campagnes des partis politique au prorata de leur représentativité à l'Assemblée nationale.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article provides for Parliament to enact legislation on Political Parties. This is given effect by the Political Parties Act 2011. Part II of the Political Parties Act governs the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties. S. 6.(d) requires Political Parties to submit their constitution during registration to the Registrar of Political Parties. S. 9 provides for contents of their constitution and rules as detailed in the Second schedule to the Act. Clause 15 of the Second Schedule requires Political Party Constitutions to provide for the authorized signatories of the Party who shall sign on behalf of the Party various documents and 15(e) is specific to...' the nomination certificates for nomination or election of a member of the Political Party'. I hope I have been of help.

Praxedes Tororey.

In Burundi, political parties are registered before the Ministry of Home Affairs. But the funds, if available, are granted to political parties and independent candidates by the EMB in accordance with the law.

In the constitution of Burundi Title III articles 75 to 85 relates to the Political parties' system. I can give you an idea of their contents:

• Article 75 is relating to recognition of multipattism in Burundi.
• Article 77 and 78: Requirements to be registered such as preaching national unity, fighting against violence, exclusion and hatred in all their forms, having national coverage of membership in the executive committee etc
• Article 79: Political parties are also free to form coalistions
• Article 80: Ruling party  or public powers are not allowed to interfere in political parties functioning except to prevent disorder, discrimination and any form of hatred .
• Article 82: Police and army and magistrates are forbiden to members of politicsal parties even if they are allowed to vote
• Article 83: Financing of political parties from abroad is prohibited except in case of the derogation by the law. The funds to comprmise the independance and national sovereignity are prohibited.
• Article 84: For promoting democracy, the law can allow the political party financing in equitable manner, proportionally to the seats obtained in the parliament. The funds can also be granted for the functioning and electoral rallies for political parties in a transparent manner. All financing of political parties are determined by the law.

Therefore, there is a law on political parties providing the details about registration and political parties financing.

There is also an Electoral Act which provides requirements for political parties and independent candidates to be allowed by the EMB to campaign and observe the electoral process.

The gender sensitivity is taken in consideration and do not forget it as pieces of advice. In the executive committee, women must be represented at least by 30% of women. It is the same in all elected institutions. Now Burundi has 50% of elected women in the Senate, which is wonderful.

I remain on your disposal for more information if necessary.

Dear Dr Masson,

Specifically related to political party and campaign finance, International IDEA’s database on political finance gives you information on 180 countries and which of those that regulate these matters (at least partly) in their Constitutions. Visit the ’sources ‘page for an easy overview: http://www.idea.int/political-finance/sources.cfm.

If you have any questions send an e-mail to: [email protected]

Kindly,

Elin Falguera

This reply is posted on behalf of the MCS Centre.

In India there is no constitutional provision regarding political parties. In the constitution, which is the longest written constitution now, there is no reference to political parties.

Our experience teaches the need for a separate law regulating political parties. The Election Commission of India has been recommending such a law and this view was supported by Constitutional Review Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice Venkatachaliah (Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India).

In my opinion should cover inter alia: registration of political parties and their deregisteration in certain circumstances; regulation of their accounts/donations/payments and receipts; party post elections including rotation of posts; resolution of party disputes/splits; regulation of election manifestos including promise of freebies being financial commitments of budgetary nature except announcement of public good projects; regulation of party nominees as candidates for electoral contests without party high command's interference; and declaration of assets and liabilities by party leaders in their websites.

Provisions requiring the registration of political parties are much more likely to be found in law than in constitutions, though the basis for laws governing political parties is often specified in the Constitution. These bases may be short and aspirational (as in, say, Jordan) or lengthy and detailed.

There are also some countries whose constitutions specify the body which has responsibility for registering political parties. In addition to those countries mentioned by Dr Masson, and the Nigeria and Kenya examples cited above, other examples include: 

• Bhutan – Constitution S 15 requires political parties to be registered with the Election Commission.
• Cap Verde – Constitution S 238 (d) states that the  power to enrol political parties is held by the Supreme Court of Justice.
• Ghana  - Constitution S 55(7) requires a political party provide certain organisational information to the Election Commission for purposes of registration.
• Liberia – 1986 Constitution S79 states that no association can function as a political party unless it meets the minimum registration requirements laid down by the Elections Commission and is registered with it.
• Maldives – Constitution S 170(f) gives the Election Commission the power to register political parties.
• Nepal – Interim Constitution S 142 requires a political party to be registered with the Election Commission to be recognised for the purpose of elections
• Nicaragua – Constitution S 173 (11) gives the Consejo Supremo Electoral the power to give legal identity as a political party to associations  that meet the provisions of the law.
• Philippines – Constitution Article IX S 2 (5) gives the Commission on Elections the power to register political parties
• Seychelles – Constitution S 118 requires the Election Commission to maintain a register of political parties, in accordance with the requirements of an Act
• Sierra Leone – Constitution S 34 creates a Political Parties Registration Commission to register political parties. Ss 34 and 35 of the Constitution give detailed requirements for this Commission and the registration of parties.
• South Korea – Constitution S 114 gives Election Management Committees the power to deal with the administrative affairs of political parties.
• Thailand – Constitution S 144 defines the Chair of the Election Commission as the political party registrar
• The Gambia  - Constitution S 43(1) (c) gives the Independent Election Commission the responsibility of registering political parties.

Regards

Alan

There are various legal tools to ope-rationalize political parties in Nepal. These legal tools are:

1.Anti Defection Act, 1997

2. Political Parties Act, 2002

3. Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007

4. Election Commission Act, 2007

Either you can contact to Election Commission of Nepal or You can access these laws on the following link:

http://www.lawcommission.gov.np/en/activities/list-of-laws/func-startdown/440/

For your convenience I am copying the following provision of the Interim Constitution, 2007 about the political parties.

"Part 18

Political Parties

1.         Prohibition on the Imposition of Restrictions on Political Parties:

1.         Persons who are committed to common political ideology, philosophy and programme shall, subject to the laws made under proviso (3) of clause (3) of Article 12 of this Constitution, be entitled to form and operate political parties of their choice and to generate or cause to be generated publicity in order to secure public support and cooperation from the general public for their ideology, philosophy and programmes, and to carry out any other activities for that purpose. Any law, arrangement or decision which restricts any such activities shall be considered inconsistent with this Constitution and shall ipso facto be void.

2.         Any law, arrangement or decision which allows for participation or involvement of only a single political party or persons having a single political ideology, philosophy or program in the elections, political system of the country or conduct of State Affairs shall be considered inconsistent with this Constitution and shall ipso facto be void.

3.         Political Parties with the objectives contrary to the spirit and norms of the preamble of this constitution shall not be considered qualified for the party registration.

2.         Registration Required for Securing Recognition for the Purpose of Contesting Elections as a Political Party:

1.         Any political party wishing to secure recognition from the Election Commission for the purposes of elections shall be required to register its name with the Election Commission as per the procedure determined by the Commission. The name of the political parties failing to register their names shall be removed from the list of the Election Commission.

2.         While applying for the registration pursuant to clause (1) above, a political party shall, along with its constitution, manifesto and the rules, have to clarify the following details, in addition to other matters:-

(a)       the name of the political party and address of its central office,

(b)       the names and addresses of the members of its Executive Committee or any such other similar committee,

(c)       the income source of the proposed political party and the details of such sources.

3.         Political parties shall have to fulfill the following conditions while filing an application pursuant to clause (1) above: -

(a)       the constitution and the rules of the political party must be democratic,

(b)       the constitution or the rules of the political party must provide for election of office bearers of the parity in all levels at least once in every five years,

(c)       in the executive committee of all levels, there should be the provision for the inclusiveness of members from neglected and suppressed regions including the Women and Dalits,

(d)       in the constitution of the party there should be an effective system of making the members of the party disciplined.

4.         The Election Commission shall not register any political party if any Nepali citizen is discriminated against becoming a member of the political party on the basis of religion, caste, tribe, language or sex or if the name, objectives, insignia or flag of such political parties is of a nature that it would disturb the religious or communal harmony or of the nature to divide the country, or such party constitution or rules are for purposes of protecting and promoting a party-less or single party system of governance.

5.         For the purpose of the registration of a party for election, an application with a signature of at least ten thousand voting supporters shall be deemed necessary.

Provided that in the case of the parties representing in the Interim Legislature-Parliament, this provision shall not be applicable.

6.         The establishment, registration, recognition and other matters, except those stated in this Part, shall be as provided for in the law."

Estimado Dr. Norbert Masson:

En la Constitución de la República del Ecuador, aprobada en el 2008, existe un ejemplo del caso que Usted investiga. La nuestra es una Constitución con un amplio catálogo de derechos y garantías, desarrollados de manera explícita en su mayor parte. En ella se determinan los derechos políticos o de participación. Se consagra el derecho a la organización política de la sociedad en partidos y movimientos políticos, y además, en la misma Constitución se establecen los requisitos para que se puedan registrar las organizaciones políticas que se formen.

Los artículos 108 y 109 establecen las condiciones para el registro de los partidos políticos. Si no se cumplen esos requisitos no se inscriben en el Registro de Organizaciones Políticas del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE). 

Se da una especial importancia a los partidos políticos, tanto es así que desde el 2008 se inició un período de transición para que las organizaciones políticas que existían antes de esa fecha, se adapten y cumplan las nuevas condiciones constitucionales. Los requisitos que deben cumplir para registrarse son, en síntesis:

1.     Declaración de principios ideológicos, 

2.     Programa de gobierno que establezca las acciones básicas que se proponen realizar

3.     Estatuto o régimen orgánico, símbolos, siglas, emblemas, distintivos, 

4.     Nómina de la directiva. 

5.     Contar con una organización nacional, que comprenderá al menos al cincuenta por ciento de las provincias del país, dos de las cuales deberán corresponder a las tres de mayor población. 

6.     Contar con un registro de afiliados no menor al uno punto cinco por ciento del registro electoral utilizado en el último proceso electoral. 

Los partidos políticos son de carácter nacional únicamente; mientras que movimientos políticos, (cuya estructura y funcionamiento es más flexible) pueden ser desde nacionales hasta parroquiales, es decir, según las formas de organización del territorio (nacional, regional, provincial, cantonal y parroquial), y deben cumplir los mismos requisitos enunciados, con algunas variables según el ámbito territorial.

Cabe resaltar que en la misma Constitución se estableció, que una vez entrada en vigencia la Carta Magna, las organizaciones políticas preexistentes debían reinscribirse nuevamente para conservar su vida jurídica.

También es importante mencionar que las normas constitucionales se desarrollaron luego en el llamado Código de la Democracia.

A continuación le transcribo los artículos respectivos de la Constitución.

Constitución de la República del Ecuador

“Sección quinta

Organizaciones políticas

Art. 108.- Los partidos y movimientos políticos son organizaciones públicas no estatales, que constituyen expresiones de la pluralidad política del pueblo y sustentarán concepciones filosóficas, políticas, ideológicas, incluyentes y no discriminatorias.

Su organización, estructura y funcionamiento serán democráticos y garantizarán la alternabilidad, rendición de cuentas y conformación paritaria entre mujeres y hombres en sus directivas.

Seleccionarán a sus directivas y candidaturas mediante procesos electorales internos o elecciones primarias.

Art. 109.- Los partidos políticos serán de carácter nacional, se regirán por sus principios y estatutos, propondrán un programa de gobierno y mantendrán el registro de sus afiliados. Los movimientos políticos podrán corresponder a cualquier nivel de gobierno o a la circunscripción del exterior. La ley establecerá los requisitos y condiciones de organización, permanencia y accionar democrático de los movimientos políticos, así como los incentivos para que conformen alianzas.

Los partidos políticos deberán presentar su declaración de principios ideológicos, programa de gobierno que establezca las acciones básicas que se proponen realizar, estatuto, símbolos, siglas, emblemas, distintivos, nómina de la directiva. Los partidos deberán contar con una organización nacional, que comprenderá al menos al cincuenta por ciento de las provincias del país, dos de las cuales deberán corresponder a las tres de mayor población. El registro de afiliados no podrá ser menor al uno punto cinco por ciento del registro electoral utilizado en el último proceso electoral.

Los movimientos políticos deberán presentar una declaración de principios, programa de gobierno, símbolos, siglas, emblemas, distintivos y registro de adherentes o simpatizantes, en número no inferior al uno punto cinco por ciento del registro electoral utilizado en el último proceso electoral.

DISPOSICIÓN TRANSITORIA DUODÉCIMA - En el plazo de cuarenta y cinco días desde la entrada en vigencia de esta Constitución, los partidos y movimientos políticos deberán reinscribirse en el Consejo Nacional Electoral y podrán conservar sus nombres, símbolos y número”.

Saludos cordiales

Dr. Víctor Hugo Ajila

ASESOR DEL TRIBUNAL CONTENCIOSO ELECTORAL

[email protected]

[email protected] 

Quito - Ecuador

I attach here the latest Electoral Law of Indonesia, no. 8 year 2012. 

In Indonesia, the political parties who wants to run in elections should register in Ministry of Home Affairs and EMB. EMB will check and verify their data.  You can find it in Chapter 3.