Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
c . Not applicable
Comments: Due to its limited territory, the whole country forms one constituency.
The parliament is elected for five years under a single nationwide constituency.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE) Principality of Monaco Parliamentary Elections (February 2023) https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/f/3/536503.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/11
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Due to its limited territory, the whole country forms one constituency.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002;https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE) Principality of Monaco Parliamentary Elections (February 2023) https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/f/3/536503.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/11
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Due to its limited territory, the whole country forms one constituency.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE) Principality of Monaco Parliamentary Elections (February 2023) https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/f/3/536503.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/11
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
g . Inherited monarchy
Comments: The head of state is the Prince and the position is hereditary.
Source: Constitution, Art. 2, 3
Art. 2. The principle of government is a hereditary and constitutional monarchy.
The Principality is a State under the rule of law, committed to fundamental freedoms and
rights.
Art. 3. The executive power is exercised by the highest authority of the Prince.
The Prince’s persona is inviolable.
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2013)021-e
Verified: 2023/09/11
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The head of government is the Minister of State who represents the Prince and exercises the executive power. He is appointed by the Prince and reports to him.
Source: Constitution, Art. 43, 44, 50
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2013)021-e
Verified: 2023/09/11
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 10 - 16
Verified: 2023/09/11
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Legislative power is jointly exercised by the Prince and the National Council.
Source: Constitution, Art. 4, 53
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2013)021-e
Verified: 2012/04/27
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
e . Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
Comments: e) 2/3 of the seats are allocated according to the majoritarian system and the remaining 1/3 is allocated under the proportional representation system.
Elections to the National Council are by list, multi-member, one-round ballot, with the possibility of mixing and without preferential voting. The lists present must include a number of candidates at least equal to that corresponding to the figure of the absolute majority within this assembly, i.e. thirteen, classified in alphabetical order.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 20-1; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/11
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:
Source: Constitution, Art. 53-56;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002
Verified: 2023/09/11
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002
Verified: 2023/09/11
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 1;
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Constitution, Art. 53; https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2013)021-e
International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Verified: 2023/09/11
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: a) The Court of First Instance
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 52; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Constitution, Art. 55
Verified: 2023/09/11
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: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
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: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
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: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002
Verified: 2023/09/12
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
a . For the election period only
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
Verified: 2023/09/12
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
c . Mixed
Comments: It consists of the Mayor, a representative of the Minister of State and two members of the Municipal County chosen by this assembly.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: 4 members: The Mayor as the chairperson, a government delegate and two members of the Communal Council
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
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: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
Verified: 2023/09/12
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
i . Other
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
Verified: 2023/09/12
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 f . Local Governments k . Other
Comments: The Office of the Mayor ran an election-awareness campaign which produced leaflets and posters which explained to voters the complicated voting procedures in a mixed voting system which allows votes to be cast for candidates from different lists.
During the 2008 elections, the City Council conducted a campaign of voter education, distributing leaflets and posters that
specified voting procedures.
Source: Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Observation of the elections to the National Council of Monaco (10 February 2013)
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
Verified: 2023/09/12
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Observation of the elections to the National Council of Monaco (10 February 2013)
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
Verified: 2023/09/12
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 d . Yes, conducted by the Local/County Electoral Management Bodies
Comments: The Office of the Mayor ran an election-awareness campaign which produced leaflets and posters which explained to voters the complicated voting procedures in a mixed voting system which allows votes to be cast for candidates from different lists.
Source: Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Observation of the elections to the National Council of Monaco (10 February 2013)
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
Verified: 2023/09/12
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Monegasques who have reached the age of 18 are entitled to vote
Source: Constitution, Art. 53;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 1
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
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: Monegasques of either sex aged eighteen or over are eligible to vote, with the exception of those who are deprived of the right to vote for one of the reasons provided for by law.
a) individuals convicted of crime and those sentenced to an unconditional prison term of more than five days or to a suspended prison term of more than three months for theft, fraud or misappropriation, for a lesser offense punishable by one of the penalties applicable to those offenses, or for embezzlement by a person responsible for public funds.
Source: Constitution, Art. 53; https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2013)021-e
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 1
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Observation of the elections to the National Council of Monaco (2013):
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
Verified: 2023/09/12
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
e . Other
Comments: e) A special commission, consisting of: The Mayor, a representative from the government and two members of the Communal Council
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 6
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The electoral list includes all voters who are not deprived of the right to vote.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art.
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/12
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):
f . Other
Comments: Submission of candidatures at least sixteen days and at most twenty days before polling day to the General Secretariat of the Town Hall. They must submit a declaration of candidacy drawn up in handwriting on a pre-established form.
For municipal elections, in the event of second round of voting, the declaration of candidacy must be submitted no later than the Tuesday following the first round.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 25
Amended Law No. 1.409 of 2014
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/13
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 j . Other
Comments: a) 25 years
b) Monegasque citizenship for at least 5 years
j) Qualified electors
Source: Constitution, Art. 54; https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mnc135209E.pdf
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 13; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Neither in presidential nor legislative elections
Comments: Candidates have to be included in a party list.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 13, 14, 15, 25; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Council of Europe, Group of States against corruption, Evaluation Report parties in Monaco (2016): http://rm.coe.int/fourth-evaluation-round-corruption-prevention-in-respect-of-members-of/16807313bb
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments: Political associations are governed by the Associations Act of 23 December 2008. Under section 16 of the act, only recognised associations are entitled to public financial support. No political associations had been granted such recognition
and, accordingly, none received any public funding.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 33;
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Council of Europe & Group of States against Corruption Third Evaluation Round Report on the Monaco Transparency of Party Funding (2012)
https://rm.coe.int/16806c9434
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: Political associations are governed by the Associations Act of 23 December 2008. Under section 16 of the act, only recognised associations are entitled to public financial support. No political associations had been granted such recognition
and, accordingly, none received any public funding.
Source: Council of Europe & Group of States against Corruption Third Evaluation Round Report on the Monaco Transparency of Party Funding (2012)
https://rm.coe.int/16806c9434
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Monegasque legislation currently imposes no restrictions on contributions – in cash or in kind – to
political parties and election campaigns. Individuals and legal persons may make unlimited
contributions, anonymously if they so choose.
Source: Council of Europe & Group of States against Corruption Third Evaluation Round Report on the Monaco Transparency of Party Funding (2012)
https://rm.coe.int/16806c9434
Verified: 2023/09/13
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 counting is done in public, under the supervision of the polling station.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended Art. 45-46
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
e . Court order
Comments: Any voter has the right to argue that the elections are invalid before the court of first instance. If he considers that the legally prescribed conditions and forms have not been observed, the Minister of State may also refer these elections to the said court.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended, Art. 52, 58
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/13
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:
Source: Law No. 1299 of 15 July 2005 on freedom of expression;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended;
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Report on the observation of the legislative elections in Monaco (2008): http://assembly.coe.int/mainf.asp?Link=/documents/workingdocs/doc08/fdoc11535.htm (2012)
Verified: 2023/09/13
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments:
Source: Law No. 1299 of 15 July 2005 on freedom of expression;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended;
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Report on the observation of the legislative elections in Monaco (2008): http://assembly.coe.int/mainf.asp?Link=/documents/workingdocs/doc08/fdoc11535.htm (2012)
Verified: 2023/09/13
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 pr-election opinion polls are carried out.
Source: Law No. 1299 of 15 July 2005 on freedom of expression;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended;
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Report on the observation of the legislative elections in Monaco (2008): http://assembly.coe.int/mainf.asp?Link=/documents/workingdocs/doc08/fdoc11535.htm (2012)
Verified: 2023/09/13
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:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended;
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Report on the observation of the legislative elections in Monaco (2008): http://assembly.coe.int/mainf.asp?Link=/documents/workingdocs/doc08/fdoc11535.htm (2012)
Verified: 2023/09/13
Direct Democracy
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
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:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution
Verified: 2012/04/27
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
c . At any polling station in the same country h . By proxy
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 43 bis; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Decree no. 927 of 23/01/2007 laying down detailed rules for proxy voting
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country e . Students
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 43 bis; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Decree no. 927 of 23/01/2007 laying down detailed rules for proxy voting, Art. 12
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
d . By proxy
Comments:
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 43 bis; https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Decree no. 927 of 23/01/2007 laying down detailed rules for proxy voting, Art. 12
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: g) By putting the ballot of his/her choice into an envelope and sliding it into the ballot box.
Source: Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended in 2002, Art. 40, 44 https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
Verified: 2023/09/13
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
Forgot your password?
