Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Elections Act Part 1, Section 3 (4) states; For the purposes of the election of members to the House, Saint Lucia shall be divided into 17 electoral districts or such number of electoral districts as may be determined under section 58 of
the Constitution.
Source: Constitution of Saint Lucia, Part 5, Section 58(1) and Elections Act Part 1, Section 3 (4).
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 g . Other
Comments: All constituencies shall contain as nearly equal numbers of inhabitants, but the Constituency Boundaries Commission may depart from this principle to such extent as it considers expedient to take account of the following factors: a) the density of population, and in particular the need to ensure the adequate representation of sparsely populated rural areas b) the means of communication c) geographical features and d) the boundaries of administrative areas.
Source: Constitution of Saint Lucia, Part 5, Section 58(1) and Second Schedule.
Verified: 2011/05/31
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Constituency Boundaries Commission is responsible of reviewing the number and boundaries of the constituencies.
Source: Constitution of Saint Lucia, Part 5, Section 58(1)
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 head of state is the British monarch, represented by Governor General who is appointed by Her Majesty.
Source: Constitution, art. 19
Verified: 2011/06/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is appointed by Governor General. Whenever the Governor-general has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall appoint a member of the House who appears to him likely to command the support of the majority of the members of the House.
Source: Constitution, art. 60
Verified: 2011/06/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 19
Verified: 2011/06/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: There shall be a Parliament of Saint Lucia which shall consist of Her Majesty, a Senate and a House of Assembly.
Source: Constitution, art. 23
Verified: 2011/06/28
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. 30 & 33
International IDEA: Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide http://www.idea.int/esd/world.cfm
Verified: 2011/06/28
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: Laws pertaining to elections are legislated both in the Constitution of Saint Lucia and in a House of Assembly Elections Act.
Source: Constitution,art. 30-33. Elections Act, 2001
Verified: 2011/08/03
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: “election” means the election of a member or members to serve
in the House;
Source: Elections Act, Part 1
Verified: 2011/08/03
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: a) Citizens must be registered to be entitled to vote.
Source: Elections Act.
Verified: 2011/08/03
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: 90. TRIAL OF ELECTION PETITION
(1) An election petition shall be tried before the High Court in the
same manner as a suit commenced by a writ of summons.
Source: Elections Act, art. 88-90.
Verified: 2011/08/03
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: The Electoral Commission is responsible for the
registration of voters for the purpose of electing members of the
House and for the conduct of elections of members of the
House.
Source: Elections Act, Art. 3(1), Constitution, Art. 37
Verified: 2012/02/16
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/24
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: 2012/02/24
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 57 (9)
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: (3) The Electoral Commission shall consist of—
(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: Constitution, art. 57 (3)
Verified: 2012/02/24
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: Constitution, art. 57 (3)
Verified: 2012/02/24
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State b . Head of Government d . Opposition
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 57 (3)
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: Both the print and electronic media are used to disseminate information.
EMB website has electoral information available at all time.
Source: St Lucia electoral commission website. http://www.electoral.gov.lc/electoral/registration
Verified: 2013/07/16
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments: EMB website has electoral information available at all time.
Source: St Lucia electoral commission website. http://www.electoral.gov.lc/electoral/registration
Verified: 2013/07/16
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: EDSL.
Verified: 2013/07/16
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art 33(c)
Verified: 2012/01/26
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 e . Other
Comments: Commonwealth citizen, resident of Saint Lucia and registered as voter.
Source: Constitution, Art. 33
Verified: 2012/01/26
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: 37(1) The Electoral Commission shall be responsible for the
registration of voters for the purpose of electing members of the
House and for the conduct of elections of members of the
House and shall have such powers and other functions relating
to such registration and elections as may be prescribed by law.1
Source: Constitution, Art. 37
Verified: 2012/01/26
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):
g . No information available
Comments: Presently, there are no provisions made for the registration of political parties.
Source: Electoral Department of St Lucia.
Verified: 2013/07/16
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 d . Residence i . Minimum level of literacy j . Other
Comments: Is a citizen of Saint Lucia ;
Is not under twenty-one years of age;
Was born-
(i) In Saint Lucia and he or she is domiciled and resident there at the date of his nomination for election; or
(ii) Outside Saint Lucia but has resided in Saint Lucia for a period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of his or her nomination for election;
Is able to speak and read the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him or her to take an active part in the proceedings of the House of Assembly;
Is not by virtue of his or her own act under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;
Is not a minister of religion
Is not an undischarged bankrupt having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of the Commonwealth;
Is not a person certified to be in sane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law in force in Saint Lucia.
Is not under sentence of death impose on him or her by a court in any part of the Commonwealth or is serving a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) exceeding 12 months imposed upon him or her by such a court or substituted competent authority for some other sentence of imprisonment the execution of which has been suspended;
Is not disqualified for member ship of the House of Assembly by any law enacted by parliament of Saint Lucia by reason of his or her having any such interest in any such government contact as may be prescribed by law;
Is not disqualified for membership of the House of Assembly by virtue of any law enacted by the parliament of Saint Lucia relating to offences connected with elections;
Does not hold, nor is he or she acting in any public office;
Is not disqualified for election by any law enacted by the Parliament of Saint Lucia by reason of his or her holding or acting in any office the functions of which involved responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of any election; or for the compilation or revision of any electoral register.
Source: Electoral Department of St Lucia website. http://www.electoral.gov.lc/candidates-parties/eligibility
Verified: 2013/07/16
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Being a part of a political party is not a requirement.
Source: Electoral Department of St Lucia website. http://www.electoral.gov.lc/candidates-parties/eligibility
Verified: 2013/07/16
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Verified: 2013/07/16
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
f . No information available
Comments: Political parties do not receive public funding.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Verified: 2013/07/16
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: EDSL.
Verified: 2002/12/17
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: Upon the close of the poll, in the presence and in full view of
the poll clerk and the candidates or their agents, and if the
candidates or any of them are absent, then in the presence of
such as are present, and of at least 2 electors if none of the
candidates is represented, the presiding officer shall—
(a) count the number of voters whose names appear in the
poll book as having voted and make an entry thereof on
the line immediately below the name of the voter who
voted last, thus;
“the number of voters who voted at this election in this
polling station is....”
Source: St. Lucia Elections Act, art 63
Verified: 2013/07/16
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
b . Always recounted
Comments: All ballots are recounted from 8:30 a.m. the day after the taking of the poll.
Source: Elections Act, art 65
Verified: 2013/07/16
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: 2013/07/16
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2013/07/16
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: 2013/07/16
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:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2009/10/26
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 (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2009/10/26
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: 2009/10/26
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: 2009/10/26
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: 2009/10/26
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: 2009/10/26
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 (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2009/10/26
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:
a . Constitutional changes only
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2009/10/26
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2009/10/26
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: House of Assembly (Elections) Act, 1979, art. 6 (1): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Lucia/lucia.html (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: House of Assembly (Elections) Act, 1979: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Lucia/lucia.html (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: Voting outside the country is not permitted.
Source: House of Assembly (Elections) Act, 1979: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Lucia/lucia.html (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: House of Assembly (Elections) Act, 1979, art. 59: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Lucia/lucia.html (2013)
Verified: 2013/01/18
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