Info
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Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: a) For Chamber 1;
b) Existing departmental boundaries are used for Chamber 2.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
BD002
Question: The authority responsible for final approval of the constituency boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . The legislature (national/subnational)
Comments: a) National level.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
BD004
Question: If population is a criterion, which population figure is used?
Answer:
a . Total population
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: a) Both chambers.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
BD006
Question: What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?
Answer(s):
a . Changes in number of total population d . Changes in distribution of total population
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
Electoral Systems
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 French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion) elects candidates to the French Senate and House of Representatives. The overseas departments follow the same rules as the metropole regarding the organization of the elections. They do however enjoy certain specificities concerning electoral expenditure : certain travel expenses of the candidates are not taken into account in the ceiling of candidates' election expenses (article L.52-12 of the electoral code). Besides, the French Parliament is discussing a bill which would allow elections to be held on Saturday in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guiana (because of the time lag, people from these departments knew the results of the elections in the metropole before they voted).
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums e . Other
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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: 2006/11/21
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary c . Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: a) Administrative courts for regional, departmental and municipal elections. Le Conseil d'Etat (the Supreme Administrative Court) for European Parliament elections;
c) Le Conseil constitutionnel (the Constitutionnal court) for legislative, presidential and Senate elections.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
e . Another organ within the national government
Comments: e) Court of Accounts
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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):
d . National Government f . Local Governments g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations h . Political parties/ candidates i . Media
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
e . Yes, conducted by the Government h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VE004
Question: What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Poster/ Billboard campaigns b . Media advertisement g . Internet
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VE005
Question: What types of civic education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Poster/ Billboard campaigns b . Media advertisement g . Internet h . Handouts (printed material)
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VE006
Question: Special voter education programs were developed at the most recent national elections for:
Answer(s):
b . Young people/ first time voters
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR003
Question: What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
Answer(s):
b . Previous Conviction d . Mental disability
Comments: b)"Specific convictions"; which means that you should be deprived of your right to vote and to be elected only as a side punishment to a conviction for certain kinds of felony in matters like electoral fraud, fiscal fraud and misuse of public resources;
d) Adults who are under the responsibility of other adults (= who are not considered fully responsible for their acts) cannot vote unless they have received a special authorization from the courts
Source: Electoral code, article L.5
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
c . Local Government Authority
Comments:
Source: Electoral code, article L.5
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR005
Question: What is the registration method for national elections?
Answer:
b . Voters register
Comments:
Source: Electoral code, article L.5
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR006
Question: How frequently is the voters register updated?
Answer:
b . Annually
Comments:
Source: Electoral code, article L.5
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR007
Question: What methods are used to compile and update the voters register?
Answer(s):
d . Registration by mail e . Appearance by voter at registration office
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: a) Nonetheless, non-registered citizens are not liable to prosecution.
Source: Electoral code, article L.9
Verified: 2007/01/14
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):
d . No registration required
Comments: The French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion) follow the same rules as the metropole regarding the organization of the elections. They do however enjoy certain specificities concerning electoral expenditure : certain travel expenses of the candidates are not taken into account in the ceiling of candidates' election expenses (article L.52-12 of the electoral code). Besides, the French Parliament is discussing a bill which would allow elections to be held on Saturday in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guiana (because of the time lag, people from these departments knew the results of the elections in the metropole before they voted).
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC002
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
d . No registration required
Comments: The senators are indirectly elected by electoral colleges, consisting of: Members of the National Assembly Members of Regional and Departmental Councils Delegates elected by Municipal Councils.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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
Comments: a) 23 years old and in full possession of their civil and political rights.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC004
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship
Comments: a) 30 years old.
The senators are indirectly elected by electoral colleges, consisting of: Members of the National Assembly Members of Regional and Departmental Councils Delegates elected by Municipal Councils.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC005
Question: What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship j . Other
Comments: a) 23 years old;
j) Signature requirement: the person who runs for President has to collect 500 signatures from elected people, namely : mayors, members of regional, departemental and municipal councils, French and European MPs.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC006
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . Offences against electoral law f . Holding of military office g . Holding of government office k . Mental health problems n . Holding of other public offices (police etc.)
Comments: k) Adults under the responsibility of other adults cannot be elected.
Source: Electoral code, article L.127 and following
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC007
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
e . Offences against electoral law
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC009
Question: If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1), what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
c . No registration requirement
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC010
Question: If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 2), what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
c . No registration requirement
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC011
Question: If independent candidates can compete in presidential elections, what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
c . No registration requirement
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC013
Question: If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
Answer(s):
c . As related to the election period and between elections
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC014
Question: If political parties receive indirect public funding, identify the type of funding:
Answer(s):
a . Free media access
Comments: a) Free media access during the election period.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Based on result of previous election c . Based on current legislative representation
Comments:
Source: Loi n°88-227 du 11 mars 1988 relative à la transparence financière de la vie politique.
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC016
Question: If political parties receive public funding, what is the specified purpose?
Answer(s):
c . Unspecified
Comments: There are 2 types of public funding : 1. Direct funding of political parties. 2. Funding of electoral campaigns of parties' candidates.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: a) Political parties are not allowed to received funds from moral persons (companies... except other political parties) or foreign sources.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC018
Question: If political parties are entitled to private funding, for what period?
Answer(s):
c . As related to the election period and between elections
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC019
Question: Which of the following party financing provisions are applicable?
Answer(s):
a . Public disclosure of party contributions received c . Prohibition on party funding from foreign sources
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC020
Question: Which of the following candidate financing provisions are applicable?
Answer(s):
a . Public disclosure of candidate contributions received b . Public disclosure of candidate expenditure c . Prohibition on candidate funding from foreign sources e . Ceilings on candidate election expenses
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
PC021
Question: Who is responsible for administering and enforcing party income/funding regulations at national level?
Answer(s):
b . Regulated body specially created for this purpose
Comments: b) La Commission Nationale des comptes de campagne and des financements politiques
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
Vote Counting
VC001
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Multi-ballot (each party has own ballot, voter picks one ballot and places in envelope) e . Ability to vote for candidates within parties (personal vote) g . Different ballots used in different constituencies
Comments: The French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion) follow the same rules as the metropole regarding the organization of the elections. They do however enjoy certain specificities concerning electoral expenditure : certain travel expenses of the candidates are not taken into account in the ceiling of candidates' election expenses (article L.52-12 of the electoral code). Besides, the French Parliament is discussing a bill which would allow elections to be held on Saturday in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guiana (because of the time lag, people from these departments knew the results of the elections in the metropole before they voted).
"Multi-ballot": each party or candidate has its/his/her own ballot.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC002
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
b . Multi-ballot (each party has own ballot, voter picks one ballot and places in envelope) g . Different ballots used in different constituencies
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC003
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
b . Multi-ballot (each party has own ballot, voter picks one ballot and places in envelope) e . Ability to vote for candidates within parties (personal vote) f . Same ballot papers used nation-wide l . No photos or logos, only party and/or candidate names
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
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:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC005
Question: What procedures are used in the initial count?
Answer(s):
a . Separate ballots for different elections b . Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box c . Tally of voters who voted d . Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters f . Each ballot paper held up for public scrutiny, with name of party/candidate called out loud i . Tallying by party representative and/or observers as votes are being called out j . Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate l . Counted by hand o . Data fed into computer for calculation p . Copies of results of the count are publicly posted at the counting site immediately on the completion of the count
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC006
Question: Following the sorting and counting, to where are the results first transmitted for consolidation?
Answer(s):
c . District level
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC007
Question: At what levels are seats allocated?
Answer(s):
c . Regional level (specify whether it is constituency/ province/ state/ department/other)
Comments: c) Each constituency has one seat.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC008
Question: How are the initial/preliminary polling results transmitted and communicated to the different levels?
Answer(s):
b . By telephone c . By fax f . By computer
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC009
Question: If the polling results are physically transported, what is transported?
Answer(s):
f . Certificate of result
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC010
Question: If the polling results are physically transported, what security measures are used?
Answer(s):
c . Signatures on sealed envelopes h . Accompanied by police or other security personnel
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
c . Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions d . By request e . Court order
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC012
Question: If automatically recounted, what is the trigger?
Answer:
a . Closeness of results
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC013
Question: If ballots are recounted by request, who can make the request?
Answer(s):
b . An individual candidate c . Election officials
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC014
Question: If recounted, who conducts the recount?
Answer(s):
c . Local Election Management body h . Courts
Comments: c) Electoral Commission chaired by a judge in each department.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC015
Question: Are preliminary results announced?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: a) Only after the closing of all the polling stations.
Source: Electoral code, art. L.52-2.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC017
Question: Is there a legal requirement for the declaration of the officially certified results?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC018
Question: How long after the close of polls is the certified results publicly announced? (if there is no legal requirement enter the average time)
Answer:
a . hours:
Comments: a) Maximum 24 hours
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2009/11/04
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):
d . Based on mixture of principles (specify) e . As agreed by special committee
Comments: d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocated to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time;
e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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:
b . 2-3 days
Comments: 2 days: polling day and the eve of polling day
Source: Loi n°77-808 du 19 juillet 1977 relative à la publication et à la diffusion de certains sondages d'opinion
Verified: 2007/01/14
Direct Democracy
Voting Operations
VO002
Question: Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
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: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
b . Consulates
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO006
Question: Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
Answer:
a . No
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO007
Question: If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
Answer(s):
a . At special advance polling centers
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO008
Question: If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), specify who:
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: f) Citizens residing in French Polynesia, Electoral code, article L. 197 The Parliament is currently discussing a bill authorizing citizens residing in the American continent or in French overseas departments or "collectivities" situated in the Atlantic Ocean to vote on Saturday.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO009
Question: Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2007/01/14
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: g) By choosing a ballot. One ballot for each candidate or one ballot for each list.
Source: Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
Verified: 2014/06/04
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