Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2009/07/09
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: "33.—(1) The executive authority of Pitcairn is vested in Her Majesty.
(2) Subject to this Constitution, the executive authority of Pitcairn shall be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor, either directly or through officers subordinate to the Governor."
Source: Constitution Part 4, Article 33(1-2)
http://www.government.pn/Pitcairn%20Islands%20Constitution%20Order%202010.pdf
Verified: 2010/01/12
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
a . Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: Constitution
"27.—(1) There shall be a Governor of Pitcairn, who shall be appointed by Her Majesty by Commission under Her Sign Manual and Signet and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure.
(2) The Governor shall have such functions as are conferred or imposed on him or her by this Constitution or any other law and such other functions as Her Majesty may from time to time be pleased to assign to him or her through a Secretary of State."
Laws of Pitcairn
"3.—[(1) There shall be the following elected officials to be known as Island Officers—
(a) the Mayor, who shall be:
(i) elected for a term of 3 years;
(ii) eligible, upon expiry of his or her term of office, to be elected Mayor for a second term of 3 years;
(b) the Deputy Mayor, who shall be elected for a 2 year 197
Island Officers."
(c) [five Councillors, who shall each be elected for a
2 year term.]
Source: Constitution Part 3, Article 27(1-2)
http://www.government.pn/Pitcairn%20Islands%20Constitution%20Order%202010.pdf
Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part II, Article 3(1)
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: "33.—(1) The executive authority of Pitcairn is vested in Her Majesty.
(2) Subject to this Constitution, the executive authority of Pitcairn shall be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor, either directly or through officers subordinate to the Governor."
Source: Constitution Part 4, Article 33(1-2)
http://www.government.pn/Pitcairn%20Islands%20Constitution%20Order%202010.pdf
Pitcairn Order 1970, art. 4
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1970/1434/made
Verified: 2010/01/08
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Island Council is composed of 10 seats, out of which 5 are elected by popular vote.
"6. (1) There shall be an Island Council which shall consist of:
(a) the following voting members, namely—
(i) the Island Officers, who shall be elected
members;
(b) the following non-voting, ex officio, members,
namely-
(i) the Governor;
(ii) the Deputy Governor; (iii) the [Administrator.]"
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part II, Article 3(1)
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
c . Block Vote
Comments:
Source: International IDEA: Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide http://www.idea.int/esd/world.cfm
Verified: 2010/01/08
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:
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: PART II—ISLAND OFFICERS, ISLAND COUNCIL
3. Island Officers.
3A. Suspension from office.
4. Election of Mayor and provisions relating to casual vacancies.
5. Election of other Island Officers and provisions relating to casual vacancies.
6. Island Council.
7. Powers and duties of Council.
8. Incorporation of the Council.
9. Internal Committee.
10. Chief Executive Officer, Island Secretary, and Government Treasurer.
PART III—ELECTION OF ISLAND OFFICERS
10A. Interpretation.
11. Qualification of voters.
11A. Election year defined.
12. Preparation of Register of Voters.
13. Election day.
14. Qualification for election of Island Officers.
14A. Disqualifications for election and holding office as an Island Officer.
15. Nomination of candidates.
16. Elections.
17. Absentee voting.
18. Appointment of proxy to vote.
PART IV—ELECTION OFFENCES
19. Interferingwithorinfluencingvoters.
20. Offences in respect of official documents.
21. Voting offences.
22. Bribery.
23. ndueinfluence.
24. Infringement of secrecy. 25. Criminal proceedings.
PART V—DISPUTED ELECTIONS
26. Application for recount.
27. Scrutineers.
28. Conduct of recount.
29. Application for leave to bring petition for inquiry. 30. Hearing of election petition.
31. Who may be respondent. 32. Time for inquiry.
33. Powers of Magistrate. 34. Result of inquiry.
35. Election not void by reason of certain irregularities. 36. Costs of inquiry.
37. New election if declared void.
38. Ordertobefinal.
39. Elections not to be questioned other than by petition.
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: "11. The following persons being of or over the age of eighteen years shall be qualified to vote—
(a) [every person who has the right of abode on Pitcairn, who at the time of the elections is normally resident on the Island and has been so resident for a continuous period of not less than one year, and who intends to remain on the Island indefinitely;
(b) every person who at the time of the elections is
ualification of voters."
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part II, Article 11
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
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: "30.–– (1) If the Magistrate grants leave to file a petition the hearing of the petition may then proceed in such manner, and at such time and place, as the Magistrate specifies.
(2) No grounds other than those stated in the application for leave to file a petition may be investigated, except with the leave of the Magistrate hearing the petition.
(3) Leave may be given under subsection (2) on such terms and conditions (if any) that the Magistrate considers just."
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part IV, Article 30(1-3)
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/05
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
e . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2019/11/05
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: 2019/11/05
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: 2019/11/05
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
f . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/12
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/12
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/12
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
d . Not Applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/12
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
j . Not Applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/12
Voter Education
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: "11. The following persons being of or over the age of eighteen years shall be qualified to vote..."
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III, Article 11
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pc.html
Verified: 2019/11/06
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: "11. The following persons being of or over the age of eighteen years shall be qualified to vote—
(a) [every person who has the right of abode on Pitcairn, who at the time of the elections is normally resident on the Island and has been so resident for a continuous period of not less than one year, and who intends to remain on the Island indefinitely;
(b) every person who at the time of the elections is normally resident on the Island and has been so resident for a continuous period of not less than three years and intends to remain there indefinitely; the spouse of any person qualified to vote under paragraphs (a) or (b) who lives with that person on the Island as his or her spouse and has done so for a continuous period of not less than one year regardless of the nationality of such spouse;
the de facto marital partner of any person qualified to vote under paragraph (a) or (b) who lives with that person on the Island as his or her partner and has done so for a continuous period of not less than two years regardless of the nationality of such partner.]"
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III, Article 11
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
Parties and Candidates
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 e . Citizenship of parents
Comments: "[14. Only persons who are qualified to vote under section
11 and not disqualified under section 14A shall be eligible for election to the office of Councillor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayor."
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III, Article 14
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2019/11/06
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: "26.––(1) [Subject to subsection (1A)] if any candidate has reason to believe that the public declaration by [a Recorder] of one or more of the elected candidates is incorrect, and that on a recount of votes the first-mentioned candidate might be elected, he or she may, within 72 hours after the public declaration and the affixing of the notice of elected candidates referred to in section 16(10), apply to the Island Magistrate for a recount of the votes.
(Amended by Ordinance No. 1 of 2013)
[(1A) If the Island Magistrate is a candidate in the election, a candidate may instead apply to the [Administrator] for a recount of the votes, and the rest of this section and section 28 apply as though references to the Island Magistrate were references to the [Administrator].]
(2) An application under subsection (1) must be in writing
and specify the grounds upon which it is believed that the counting of votes might be incorrect and shall be deemed to have been made when the application is delivered by hand to the Island Secretary.
(3) Upon receiving an application under subsection (2) the Island Secretary shall immediately transmit it to the Island Magistrate.
(4) If the Island Magistrate is satisfied that the applicant has reasonable grounds to believe that the declaration is incorrect and that on a recount the applicant might be elected, the Island Magistrate must, as soon as practicable after receiving the application—
(a) cause a recount of the votes to be made; and
(b) give notice in writing to the [Recorders], Island Secretary and to each of the candidates of the time
and place at which the recount will be made."
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part V, Article 26
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
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:
Verified: 2019/11/06
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:
Source:
Verified: 2019/11/06
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: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
Voting Operations
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d . Members of the armed forces f . Diplomatic staff
Comments: "[18. A person who intends to be temporarily absent from the Island at the time of the election and who would if present be entitled to vote may, in accordance with the following conditions, apply for appointment of a named person as his or her proxy to cast a vote on election day on his or her behalf:
(a) The application for appointment of a proxy must be made in the form set out as appendix 1 to this
(b) The person sought to be appointed as proxy must
be on the Register of Voters.
(c) The application form must be signed and delivered
to the Island Secretary not earlier than 15 [October] in the year of the election nor later than 7 days before the election day.
(d) The form may be delivered by hand or by the electronic transmission of a scanned copy of the original form sent to the email address isec@ pitcairn.gov.pn (or such other email address as may be prescribed by regulations made under this Ordinance) and if delivered by electronic transmission must contain a return email address to which notification of approval of appointment may be sent.
(e) The Island Secretary must approve an application on the prescribed form if he or she is satisfied that the applicant is a person who if present would be entitled to vote and that the named proxy is on the Register of Voters.
(f) The Island Secretary shall advise the applicant if the application is approved, either in person (when or shortly after the application is delivered by hand) or by email (when the application is delivered in that manner).
(g) Not less than 2 days before election day the Island Secretary shall notify the [Recorders] in writing of the names of all persons in respect of whom a proxy vote has been approved (save in respect of appointments that were subsequently revoked in accordance with subparagraph (j) and (k)) and in each case shall name the person who is appointed proxy.
(h) On election day [a] Recorder shall distribute a voting card to each appointed and approved proxy and shall receive and record the vote of the proxy as if it were the vote of the person who appointed the proxy.
(i) A person’s appointment as a proxy under this section shall end when his or her proxy vote has been made, received and recorded in accordance with subparagraph (h). However, if for any reason that election were disputed in accordance with this Ordinance and a new election ordered, then the appointed proxy may vote in that new election without need for a further appointment unless his or her appointment as a proxy has been terminated in accordance with subparagraph (j).
The appointment of a proxy in accordance with this Ordinance may be revoked only in the following manner:
(i) when a Recorder has been appointed under s 16(5), by notice to the Recorder provided that such notice is given not later than 2 days before election day;
(ii) when a Recorder has not been appointed, by notice to the Island Secretary;
(iii) such notice must be signed and state that the person wishes to revoke the appointment of his or her proxy, and the notice shall either be delivered by hand (to Recorder or Island Secretary as applicable) or by way of a scanned copy sent by email to the address specified in subparagraph (d) above, or any replacement address that may be notified by regulations made under this Ordinance.
Any revocation of the appointment of a proxy shall be effective only upon its receipt by the Island Secretary or Recorder in accordance with subparagraph (j).]"
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III, Article 18
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
d . By proxy e . By mail
Comments: "[18. A person who intends to be temporarily absent from the Island at the time of the election and who would if present be entitled to vote may, in accordance with the following conditions, apply for appointment of a named person as his or her proxy to cast a vote on election day on his or her behalf:
(a) The application for appointment of a proxy must be made in the form set out as appendix 1 to this
(b) The person sought to be appointed as proxy must
be on the Register of Voters.
(c) The application form must be signed and delivered
to the Island Secretary not earlier than 15 [October] in the year of the election nor later than 7 days before the election day.
(d) The form may be delivered by hand or by the electronic transmission of a scanned copy of the original form sent to the email address isec@ pitcairn.gov.pn (or such other email address as may be prescribed by regulations made under this Ordinance) and if delivered by electronic transmission must contain a return email address to which notification of approval of appointment may be sent.
(e) The Island Secretary must approve an application on the prescribed form if he or she is satisfied that the applicant is a person who if present would be entitled to vote and that the named proxy is on the Register of Voters.
(f) The Island Secretary shall advise the applicant if the application is approved, either in person (when or shortly after the application is delivered by hand) or by email (when the application is delivered in that manner).
(g) Not less than 2 days before election day the Island Secretary shall notify the [Recorders] in writing of the names of all persons in respect of whom a proxy vote has been approved (save in respect of appointments that were subsequently revoked in accordance with subparagraph (j) and (k)) and in each case shall name the person who is appointed proxy.
(h) On election day [a] Recorder shall distribute a voting card to each appointed and approved proxy and shall receive and record the vote of the proxy as if it were the vote of the person who appointed the proxy.
(i) A person’s appointment as a proxy under this section shall end when his or her proxy vote has been made, received and recorded in accordance with subparagraph (h). However, if for any reason that election were disputed in accordance with this Ordinance and a new election ordered, then the appointed proxy may vote in that new election without need for a further appointment unless his or her appointment as a proxy has been terminated in accordance with subparagraph (j).
The appointment of a proxy in accordance with this Ordinance may be revoked only in the following manner:
(i) when a Recorder has been appointed under s 16(5), by notice to the Recorder provided that such notice is given not later than 2 days before election day;
(ii) when a Recorder has not been appointed, by notice to the Island Secretary;
(iii) such notice must be signed and state that the person wishes to revoke the appointment of his or her proxy, and the notice shall either be delivered by hand (to Recorder or Island Secretary as applicable) or by way of a scanned copy sent by email to the address specified in subparagraph (d) above, or any replacement address that may be notified by regulations made under this Ordinance.
Any revocation of the appointment of a proxy shall be effective only upon its receipt by the Island Secretary or Recorder in accordance with subparagraph (j).]"
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III, Article 18
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Laws of Pitcairn Chapter XI Local Government Ordinance, Part III
http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government%20Ordinance.pdf
Verified: 2019/11/06
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