Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: 14 village constituencies established by the Constitution.
Source: Constitution, Art. 16 (2-3).
Verified: 2014/06/23
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population f . Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Comments: "Any determination or redetermination of the boundaries of any
village constituency shall, so far as practicable, having due regard
to local community interest, be made in accordance with the
principle that the number of electors in that village constituency
should not be substantially greater or smaller than the number of
electors in any other village constituency."
Source: Constitution, Art. 16 (3).
Verified: 2014/06/23
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: The Constitution allows for constituencies to be modified by law, though there must always be 14 constituencies respecting traditional communities of interest and must have relatively equal populations.
Source: Constitution, Art. 16; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Sec. 5.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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 executive authority of Niue is vested in Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand, and the Governor-General of New Zealand is accordingly the representative of Her Majesty the Queen in relation to Niue."
Source: Constitution, Art. 1.
Verified: 2014/06/23
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Premier is elected by an absolute majority of the members present and voting at the first meeting of the Niue Assembly after a general election.
Source: Constitution, Art. 4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The head of state of Niue is the British monarch.
Source: Constitution, Art. 1.
Verified: 2014/06/23
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Niue Assembly consists of the Speaker and 20 elected members.
Source: Constitution, Art. 16.
Verified: 2014/06/23
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: Each of the 14 village constituencies elects one member to the Niue Assembly. 6 members are elected by all voters in Niue on a common roll. Voters vote for as many seats as there are to be elected in each contest (1 for village constituencies, 6 for the common roll).
Source: Constitution, Art. 16 & 69 (2).
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended; Constitutional Polls Act 1977, as amended.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended; Constitutional Polls Act 1977, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments: There are national provisions for elections of the Village Councils through the Village Councils Act 1967.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended; Constitutional Polls Act 1977, as amended; Village Councils Act 1967, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: No provision for compulsory voting. There is a provision for a compulsory registration.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 14.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: "Where any candidate has reason to believe that the public declaration by the Chief Electoral Officer of the number of votes received by each candidate is incorrect, and that on a recount of it the first-mentioned candidate might be found to be elected, he may within 3 days after the public declaration apply to a Judge for a recount of the votes."
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Sec. 71.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: The Chief Electoral Officer has jurisdiction over elections at the village council level as well as the national level.
Source: Village Councils Act 1967, as amended, Sec. 15.
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The Chief Electoral Officer and his delegation are members of the public service. All public expenditure is authorized by the Niue Assembly.
Source: Constitution, Art. 59 (2).
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments: There is no formal electoral management body. According to the Constitution, all expenditure of public money shall originate from the Niue Assembly in an Appropriation Act.
Source: Constitution, Art. 58.
Verified: 2012/07/03
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: The Chief Electoral Officer and his deputy and staff are public servants, and are appointed for an indefinite period of time.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 3-4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments: The Chief Electoral Officer, as well as his subordinates, are all public servants.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 3-4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments: There is no formal EMB.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 3-4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The Chief Electoral Officer as well as his subordinates are all chosen by the Public Service Commission.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 3-4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
i . Other
Comments: The Chief Electoral Officer and his subordinates are all chosen by the Public Service Commission.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 3-4.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 12.
Verified: 2012/07/03
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: An elector must be either a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Niue. In addition, an elector must be ordinarily resident in Niue for the 12 months preceding an election and have lived in Niue at some point for longer than three years. An elector may not have lived abroad for more than three years unless a student, or in the service of the Government of Niue.
"...[A] person shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident in Niue if, and only if (a) [h]e is actually residing in Niue; or (b) [h]aving been actually resident in Niue with the intention of residing there indefinitely, he is outside Niue but has, and has ever since he left Niue an intention to return and reside there indefinitely."
Source: Constitution, Art. 17; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 12.
Verified: 2012/07/04
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: The Registrar appointed for each Constituency is in charge of the registration of voters.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 4.
Verified: 2012/07/04
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: "Every person who is or becomes qualified to be registered as an elector shall make application in the prescribed form to the Registrar in charge of the roll for the constituency for registration as an elector."
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 14.
Verified: 2012/07/04
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):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Candidates run as individuals, not with political parties.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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 d . Residence f . Registration
Comments: "...[E]very person registered as an elector of any constituency, but no other person, is qualified to be a candidate and to be elected a member for that or any other constituency."
Qualification for registration includes New Zealand citizenship or Niue permanent residence, having lived in Niue continuously for three years at some point, and being ordinarily resident in Niue for the 12 months before the election.
Source: Constitution, Art. 17; Niue Assembly Act, as amended, Art. 6 & 12.
Verified: 2014/06/23
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Independent candidates may compete in legislative elections. Candidates run as individuals. There is no political party requirement for candidacy in legislative elections.
Source: Niue Assembly Act, as amended, Art. 33.
Verified: 2014/06/23
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
e . No information available
Comments: No provisions for public funding of political parties.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
f . No information available
Comments: No provision for public funding in Constitution or Electoral Law.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: There is no regulation of political party funding.
Source: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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 presiding officer for each polling place counts the votes immediately after the polling place closes.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 65.
Verified: 2014/06/23
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
e . Court order
Comments: A petition filed with a judge for a recount must be filed within three days of the release of the results.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 71.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: No provisions for free printed advertisement.
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: 2014/06/23
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: No formal political parties. No provisions for the regulation of political organizations.
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: Referenda are conducted for proposed constitutional changes.
Source: Constitution, Art. 35; Constitutional Polls Act 1977, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: All matters concerning constitutional changes must be passed in a referendum. Proposed amendments concerning sections 2-9 of the Constitution must pass with a 2/3 majority to take effect. All other proposed Constitutional changes must pass with a simple majority.
Source: Constitution, Art. 35.; Constitutional Polls Act.
Verified: 2014/06/23
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Only proposed constitutional changes may be put to referendum. There are no provisions for other forms of referenda.
Source: Cosntitution.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: 2014/06/23
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution.
Verified: 2014/06/23
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution.
Verified: 2014/06/23
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: All Constitutional referenda are binding. Proposed amendments addressing Sections 2-9 of the Constitution must pass in a referendum with a two-thirds majority. All other proposed amendments require a simple majority in a referendum.
Source: Constitution, Art. 35.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: Constitution, Art. 35.
Verified: 2014/06/23
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No provisions for direct democracy at the local level.
Source: Constitution; Village Councils Act 1967, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
b . At any polling station in the same voting district
Comments: Each village has this own polling station, eg community hall, pastors house etc.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 53.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
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: Constitution; Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended.
Verified: 2014/06/23
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: The elector crosses out the names of all the candidates that you do not want to vote for, leaving one name only, which is the candidate for whom the electors wants to vote for.
Source: Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Act. 59.
Verified: 2014/06/23
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
Forgot your password?
