Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis, 1983. Part 4, Sections 49 and 50
Verified: 2020/05/13
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
i . No information available
Comments: Not explicitly stated.
Source:
Verified: 2020/05/13
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 Boundary Commission, which has five members appointed by Governor-General.
Source: Constitution 1983, Section 49.
Verified: 2020/05/13
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: There shall be for Saint Christopher and Nevis a Governor-General who shall be a citizen appointed by Her
Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty’s representative in Saint
Christopher and Nevis.
Source: Article 21, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/14
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: (1) There shall be a Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis who shall be appointed by the
Governor-General.
(2) Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he or she shall appoint a
Representative who appears to him or her likely to command the support of the majority of the Representatives.
Source: Article 52, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/14
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Article 21, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/14
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: There shall be for Saint Christopher and Nevis a Parliament which shall consist of Her Majesty and a National Assembly.
Source: Article 25, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/14
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: 11 members are directly elected by people in single seat constituencies, 3 other -called Senators- are appointed by Governor General, one by advice of Leader of Opposition and two by advie of Prime Minister. In addition there is a Speaker of the Assembly, that could be elected from among members who are not part of the Cabinet or Paralmentary Secretaries or from among persons who are not members of the Assembly but could qualify as one of them.
Source: Article 29, 30 and 32, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/14
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation
Comments: There are two basic pieces of legislation which govern the electoral process: Firstly, the saint Christopher and Nevis Constitution Order 1983 of 23rd June 1983 no. 881. Secondly, the National Assembly Election Act cap. 162. The House of Assembly Election Ordinance Amendment Act 1983 no. 16 of 1983 and the Elections Registration Regulations of 1984 were made under the provision of section 104 of the National Assembly Act cap. 162.
Source: Article 28, National Assembly Election Act
Verified: 2020/04/15
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections d . Referendums
Comments: The National Electoral Laws also cover the management/delivery of the Nevis Island Assembly Elections, referendum and by-elections.
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/15
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Article 29, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
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 High Court
Source: Article 36, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
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: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: Articles 70 and 71， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/09
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: Period may be specified by the Governor General
Source: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Electoral Commission is composed of 3 members;
(a) a chairperson appointed by the Governor-General, acting in his or her own deliberate
judgment;
(b) one member appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the
Prime Minister; and
(c) one member appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the
Leader of the Opposition.
Source: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments:
Source: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
b . Head of Government d . Opposition
Comments: Members are appointed by the Governor general on advice of the Prime Minister and the leader of opposition.
Source: Article 33， Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/09
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
Comments: The observer group noted that the voter education was not impartial, the political parties were biased in their educational activities.
Source: Commonwealth election observation group, 2004
Verified: 2020/04/15
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments: Not explicitly stated.
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/15
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments: Not explicitly stated.
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/15
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Every Commonwealth citizen of the age of eighteen years or upwards who possesses such qualifications relating to residence or domicile in Saint Christopher and Nevis as Parliament may prescribe shall, unless he or she is disqualified by Parliament from registration as such, be entitled to be registered as a voter for the purpose of electing Representatives in one (but not more than one) constituency in accordance with the provisions of any law in that behalf and no other person may be registered as such.
Source: Article 29, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
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: Every Commonwealth citizen of the age of eighteen years or upwards who possesses such qualifications relating to residence or domicile in Saint Christopher and Nevis as Parliament may prescribe shall, unless he or she is disqualified by Parliament from registration as such, be entitled to be registered as a voter for the purpose of electing Representatives in one (but not more than one) constituency in accordance with the provisions of any law in that behalf and no other person may be registered as such.
Source: Article 29, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
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: Supervisor of Elections
Source: Article 34, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: However, one must be registered in order to vote.
Source: Article 34, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
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) Support of at least two electors from the constituency concerned
b) Deposit of a sum equivalent to US$ 55, which is reimbursed on obtaining at least 1/8 of votes cast in the constituency.
Source: National Assembly Elections Act
IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2267.htm
Verified: 2020/04/15
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 c . Country of birth e . Citizenship of parents f . Registration j . Other
Comments: Subject to section 28, a person shall be qualified to be elected or appointed as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he or she is a citizen of the age of twenty-one years or upwards and he or she or one of his or her parents was born in Saint Christopher and Nevis and he or she is domiciled there at the date of his or her nomination for election or his or her appointment, as the case may be.
Source: Article 27, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: A person shall be qualified to be elected or appointed as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he or she is a citizen of the age of twenty-one years or upwards and he or she or one of his or her parents was born in Saint Christopher and Nevis and he or she is domiciled there at the date of his or her nomination for election or his or her appointment, as the case may be.
Source: Article 27, Constitution
Verified: 2020/04/15
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments: Political party and campaign financing in St. Kitts and Nevis is wholly private; there is no government funding for campaigns, whether direct or indirect.
Source: Electoral Observation Mission Final Report
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Verified: 2020/04/16
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
f . No information available
Comments: There is no public funding for political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Verified: 2020/04/16
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Political parties and candidates are expected to raise their own campaign funds, which they do both locally and internationally from groups, individuals, and the private sector.
Source: Electoral Observation Mission Final Report
Verified: 2020/04/16
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: After all the ballot boxes have been received they shall be opened for the count of votes and in the presence of such of the candidates or their agents.
Source: Article 88, National Assembly Elections Act
Verified: 2020/04/19
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/19
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:
Verified: 2020/04/27
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:
h . Not applicable
Comments: No official information provided.
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/27
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Source:
Verified: 2020/04/27
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: Every person who, at the time when a referendum is held for the purposes of this section, would be
entitled to vote in elections of Representatives held in the island of Saint Christopher shall be entitled to vote on that
referendum in that island; every person who, at that time, would be entitled to vote in elections of Representatives
held in the island of Nevis shall be entitled to vote on that referendum in that island: and no other person shall be
entitled to vote on that referendum in the island of Saint Christopher or, as the case may be, in the island of Nevis.
Source: Article 38, Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Every person who, at the time when a referendum is held for the purposes of this section, would be entitled to vote in elections of Representatives held in the island of Saint Christopher shall be entitled to vote on that referendum in that island; every person who, at that time, would be entitled to vote in elections of Representatives held in the island of Nevis shall be entitled to vote on that referendum in that island: and no other person shall be entitled to vote on that referendum in the island of Saint Christopher or, as the case may be, in the island of Nevis.
Not less than two-thirds of all the votes validly cast on that referendum in the island of Saint Christopher and two-thirds of all the votes validly cast on that referendum in the island of Nevis.
Source: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
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: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Verified: 2020/04/20
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2020/04/26
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The main issue being Nevis independence.
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2020/04/26
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2020/04/26
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: National Assembly Elections Act
Final report of the OAS on the 2010 General Election: http://www.oas.org/sap/docs/DECO/2010/SAINT_KITTS_NEVIS_JAN_25_2010.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
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: Final report of the OAS on the 2010 General Election, p. 11: http://www.oas.org/sap/docs/DECO/2010/SAINT_KITTS_NEVIS_JAN_25_2010.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Final report of the OAS on the 2010 General Election, p. 11: http://www.oas.org/sap/docs/DECO/2010/SAINT_KITTS_NEVIS_JAN_25_2010.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: National Assembly Elections Act
Final report of the OAS on the 2010 General Election: http://www.oas.org/sap/docs/DECO/2010/SAINT_KITTS_NEVIS_JAN_25_2010.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
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