Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Constituencies are delimited by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Commission submits its report to both Houses of Parliament and once approved by them it is forwarded to the Governor General, who gives final legal effect by making an order for the acceptance of the review of the boundaries.
Source: Constitution: Part 5, Section 41D.
Verified: 2011/05/31
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers
Comments: The provision of the Third Schedule of the Constitution states that
1.The electorate shall, so far as practicable, be equal in all constituencies:
Provided that the electorate in any constituency shall, so far as practicable,
not exceed 115%, nor be less than 85%, of the total electorate divided by the
number of constituencies therein.
2. Natural boundaries such as highways and rivers shall be used wherever
possible.
Source: Third Schedule of the Constitution
Verified: 2011/05/31
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
c . Executive d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Commission consists of a Chairman, a deputy Chairman and three other members. The Chairman and two other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, by instrument under the Public Seal, and the deputy Chairman and one other member shall be
appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition after consultation with the Prime Minister, by instrument under the Public Seal.
Source: Constitution: Ch.5, Part 1, Section 41 D.
Verified: 2011/05/31
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
f . Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: The monarch of UK is the Head of State, represented by the Governor General, who the Monarch appoints. The Monarchy is hereditary.
Source: Constitution, art. 28 & 63
Verified: 2011/06/22
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General. Governor General appoints as Prime Minister the member of the House of Assembly who, in his judgment, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House.
Source: Constitution, art. 64-65
Verified: 2011/06/22
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 28 & 63
Verified: 2011/06/22
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
Source: Constitution, art. 35
Verified: 2011/06/22
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 41-42
Verified: 2011/06/22
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments: The Constitution is supplemented by legislation such as the Representation of the People's Act 1985, and The Electoral Boundaries Commission (Review of Boundaries) Order, 1990.
Source: Representation of the People's Act 1985.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (Review of Boundaries) Order, 1990.
Verified: 2011/07/28
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People's Act: Ch.12.
Verified: 2011/07/28
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People's Act: Section 6.
International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Verified: 2011/07/28
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
c . Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: The Election Court (comprising three Judges) is responsible for trying the election petition - when hearing an election petition it has the same powers, jurisdiction and authority as the High Court.
Source: Election Offences and Controversies Act: Ch.3, Section 39.
Verified: 2011/07/28
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Ch.5, Section 41C.
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
b . The Prime Minister d . A national government department
Comments: Technically the final approval falls under the Minister of Finance's responsibility, but officially it is the PM who determines the budget. Once the budget is approved by the Minister the budget must pass Parliament and after that it becomes official.
Source: Angela Taylor, Chief ELections Officer, Barbados
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: Ministry of Finance.
Source: Angela Taylor, Chief ELections Officer, Barbados
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: The members of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission serves for a period of five (5) years and are eligible for re-appointment. However the Chief Electoral Officer is appointed for an unspecified period
Source: Constitution: Ch. 5, art.41A.
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: A combination of the EBC and the Electoral Department
Source: Angela Taylor, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections and Boundaries Commission
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
d . Other
Comments: The Electoral and Boundaries Commission consists of five (5) members and employs thirty (30) Registering Officers while the Department has a staff of thirty five (35) employed by the Public Services Commission
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2012/01/31
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
b . Head of Government d . Opposition
Comments: The prime minister and opposition choose the EMB members.
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2012/01/31
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body h . Political parties/ candidates i . Media k . Other
Comments: a)The responsibility for the education lies on the Elections and Boundaries Commission.
i)Election time only.
k)Most of the education on how to vote is otherwise given in the national educational system.
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
Verified: 2002/07/09
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments: Included in the national education system, but concentrated at election time.
Source: Mr. Hensley Robinson
Verified: 2001/07/24
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments: It is included in the national education system
Source: Mr. Hensley Robinson
Verified: 2000/11/15
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People's Act: Section 7.
Verified: 2012/01/25
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence
Comments: He/she needs to be a citizen of Barbados or be a Commonwealth citizen who has resided in Barbados for a period of at least 3 years before the election.
He/she also needs to have resided in the constituency where he/she will vote for a period of at least 3 months before the election.
Source: Representation of the People's Act: Section 7.
Verified: 2012/01/25
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The Electoral and Boundaries Commission
Source: Representation of the People Act, Art. 12 and 13
Verified: 2012/01/25
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement) b . Deposit requirement (specify amount)
Comments: a) Nomination by 4 electors
b) Deposit equivalent to 250 bb$(Barbados dollars), reimbursed if the candidate is elected or obtains more than 1/6 of the total votes cast in the constituency.
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
Verified: 2002/07/09
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: a) 21 years of age.
d) Resident in the country for more than 7 years.
Source: Constitution, Ch.5, Art.43
Verified: 2009/08/21
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: 43. Subject to the provisions of section 44, any person who -
a. is a Commonwealth citizen of the age of twenty one years or upwards; and
b. has such connection with Barbados by residence therein as may be prescribed by Parliament,
shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly.
No President
Source: Constitution of Barbados, Chapter 5:43
Verified: 2009/08/21
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
Verified: 2002/07/09
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
f . No information available
Comments:
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
Verified: 2002/07/09
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, bdoselcoff(a)caribsurf.com
Verified: 2002/05/30
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People's Act, Ch.12, Second Schedule Part III, Section 35-37.
Verified: 2009/08/21
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments:
Source: Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
Verified: 2009/08/21
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments: There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Verified: 2007/01/17
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2009/08/21
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2009/08/21
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2009/08/21
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No mention in the constitution.
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2009/08/21
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People Act, art. 16-17
Verified: 2012/02/24
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
f . Diplomatic staff
Comments: "A person is qualified to be treated as a foreign service elector at any election in any constituency who is
(a)serving abroad as the Head of a Mission or a member of the Staff of a Mission;
(b)a member of the household of a person mentioned in paragraph (a)"
Source: Representation of the People's Act, art. 42.
"Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook" (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.cfm)
Verified: 2012/02/24
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies
Comments:
Source:
"Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook" (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.
Verified: 2012/02/24
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Representation of the People Act, art. 29(2)
Verified: 2012/02/24
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