Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: For the purpose of elections, Bermuda is divided into thirty-six constituencies, each of which elects one member to the House of Assembly.
Source: The Constitution of Bermuda, Article 52
Verified: 2012/05/31
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers e . Geographic size of district g . Other
Comments: The Commission -
a) shall take no account of the racial distribution of electors within Bermuda;
b) shall take account of geographical features and natural boundaries within Bermuda; (
c) may ignore the boundaries of parishes; and
d) shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each constituency is a contiguous unit.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry, Bermuda Constitution, Art. 54(2)
Verified: 2012/05/31
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
c . Executive d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Constituency Boundaries Commission shall consist of—
(a) a Chairman appointed by the Governor, acting in his discretion;
(b) a member (in this section referred to as "the judicial member") appointed by the Governor, acting in his discretion, from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office;
(c) two members appointed by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, from among the members of the two Houses; and
(d) two members appointed by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Opposition Leader, from among those members.
Source: The Constitution of Bermuda, Art. 53
Verified: 2012/05/31
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 head of state is the British Monarch who appoints a Governor as her representative.
Source: Constitution, Art. 17
http://www.bermudalaws.bm/Laws/Consolidated%20Laws/Bermuda%20Constitution%20Order%201968.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Governor, acting in his discretion, shall appoint as the Premier the member of the House of Assembly who appears to him best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House.
Source: Constitution, Section 58 (1)
Verified: 2012/05/31
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The Premier is the head of the government and is appointed by the Governor
Source: Constitution, Art. 17
Verified: 2012/05/31
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The legislature of Bermuda consists of Her Majesty, Senate and the House of Assembly.
Source: Constitution, Art. 26
Verified: 2012/05/31
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. 52
International IDEA: Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide http://www.idea.int/esd/world.cfm
Verified: 2012/05/31
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
Comments: The Constitution of Bermuda contains articles which pertain to the timing and necessity of elections. All other legislation on elections is found in the Parliamentary Election Act of 1978.
Source: Constitution of Bermuda, Art. 51-55
The Parliamentary Election Act 1978
Verified: 2012/05/31
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments: Elections on all levels of government are legislated under the elections act.
Source: The Parliamentary Election Act 1978
Verified: 2012/05/31
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Verified: 2012/05/31
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: The Supreme Court is responsible for any appeals which are brought to the Registrar, however objections relate only to the registration of electors.
Legislation relating to the dispute of an election outcome is not included in the Elections Act nor Constitution.
Source: Parliamentary Election Act 1978, Art. 17
Verified: 2012/05/31
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6(6)
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: g. Parliamentary Registry Office
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6(6)
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
c . For an unspecified period
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The office of the Parliamentary Registrar consists of the Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Administrative Officer, & Registration Officer. Temporary staff members are hired during election periods for the duration of the Election.
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State j . Not Applicable
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, art. 6
Verified: 2012/02/24
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
Comments: Information is continuously available online from the National Elections Commission.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
http://www.elections.gov.bm/
Verified: 2012/05/31
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments: Continuously, with media emphasis around April & May of each year. In preparation for the publication of the annual June register.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
http://www.elections.gov.bm/
Verified: 2012/05/31
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body e . Yes, conducted by the Government
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
http://www.elections.gov.bm/
Verified: 2012/05/31
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: Constitution, Art.55 (2)
Parliamentary Election Act 1978, Art. 7
Verified: 2012/05/31
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: Residence or Bermudian status is required in order to qualify on the list of electors.
Source: Constitution, Art. 55
Verified: 2012/05/31
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: Parliamentary Registry Office (PRO).
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act, Art. 6-8
http://www.elections.gov.bm/
Verified: 2012/05/31
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: While it is not compulsory to register as an elector, citizens must be registered to qualify to vote.
4 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person is entitled to vote at a parliamentary election in a constituency if, and only if, on the polling day, he is registered as an elector in the parliamentary register of that constituency.
Source: The Parliamentary Elections Act, Art. 4
Verified: 2012/05/31
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):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount)
Comments: A deposit of $250.00 for each candidate deposited with accountant general on Nomination Day. Any candidate winning over 1/8th of the vote is refunded their deposit.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
http://www.elections.gov.bm/index.php/faq/9-faq/12-nomination-day-faqs
Verified: 2012/05/31
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Citizenship
Comments: Qualifications for candidacy in the Senate or House of Assembly are primarily Citizenship as a Commonwealth Citizen (Under the British Nationality Act of 1981), above the age of twenty one and have Bermudian status. Candidates must also reside in Bermuda on a regular basis.
Source: Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, Art. 29
http://www.bermudalaws.bm/Laws/Consolidated%20Laws/Bermuda%20Constitution%20Order%201968.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1) d . In legislative elections (Chamber 2)
Comments: The qualifications and disqualifications for candidacy do not prevent independent candidates from running for election.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: The election officer assigned to each polling station counts the ballots placed in the ballot box at the polling station.
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Parliamentary Election Act 1978, Art. 56
Verified: 2012/05/31
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: Immediately after the counting of the votes pursuant to subsection (1) has terminated, a candidate or his agent present at the count may demand a recount and thereupon, unless the Returning Officer considers the demand to be unreasonable having regard to the result of the first count, he shall proceed to re-count the votes accordingly to ascertain the result of the poll.
Source: The Parliamentary Election Act (1978) Art. 56
Verified: 2012/05/31
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):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments:
Source: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
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: Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Verified: 2012/05/31
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: http://www.bermudalaws.bm/Laws/Consolidated%20Laws/Television%20Broadcasting%20Service%20Regulations%201987.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: There is a legal provision for mandatory referendums on the national level. Bermuda's most recent referendum was conducted to determine whether secession from the English Monarchy was a preferred method of governance.
Source: Independence Referendum Act 1995
Direct Democracy, the International IDEA Handbook
http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/upload/DDH_inlay_low.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy, the International IDEA Handbook
http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/upload/DDH_inlay_low.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy, the International IDEA Handbook
http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/upload/DDH_inlay_low.pdf
Verified: 2012/05/31
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/05/31
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 h . By proxy
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Election Act 1978, Art. 4 & Art. 40
Verified: 2012/05/31
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
a . Outside the country voting is not permitted
Comments:
Source: Elections Act, Art 40
Verified: 2012/05/31
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Elections Act, Art. 51
http://www.elections.gov.bm/index.php/voters/12-voters/16-voting-procedures
Verified: 2012/05/31
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