Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
c . Not applicable
Comments: For the election of the members of the National Assembly, the entire country is counted as one voting district. This came with constitutional changes passed in 2023 ahead of elections scheduled for 2025. Previously, the country was divided into electoral districts whose boundaries correspond with the boundaries of the current district division
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 24: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
https://freedomhouse.org/country/suriname/freedom-world/2024
Verified: 2025/03/28
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 24: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
https://freedomhouse.org/country/suriname/freedom-world/2024
Verified: 2025/03/28
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: g) The division of Suriname in electoral districts shall be determined by law.
Source: Constitution, Art. 60: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
https://freedomhouse.org/country/suriname/freedom-world/2024
Verified: 2025/03/28
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government d . Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments: The President is Head of State of the Republic of Suriname, Head of Government, Chairman of the Council of State and of the Security Council. He is elected by the National Assembly for five years.
Source: Constitution, Art. 90, 91: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The President is Head of State of the Republic of Suriname, Head of Government, Chairman of the Council of State and of the Security Council. He is elected by the National Assembly for five years.
Source: Constitution, Art. 90, 91: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 90: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The National Assembly consists of 51 members, elected for a five-year term.
Source: Constitution, Art. 55, 56, 61: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: The system of proportionate representation on the basis of largest average formula with preferential votes. With the new changes creating a single voting district, voters will be able to cast their ballot for any eligible candidate.
Source: Constitution, Art. 61, 131 (1): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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:
Source: Constitution: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012);
Electoral Law of 1987: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 3, 4: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 57: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012);
Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 3: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
b . EMB
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 122 (3), 125 (2), 132 (6): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The remunerations for the Chairman and the members of the Electoral Council, as well as the fee attendance money for the substituting members for each meeting in which they participate shall be determined by state decree.
The salary of the secretary of the Electoral Council shall be determined by State Decree.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 2 (8): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Before 1 April of each year, the Electoral Council shall draw up a report for the Government and the National Assembly regarding its activities in the past official year.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 2 (6): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: b) For a term of six years.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1 (2): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Independent Electoral Council shall consist of at least 7 members and 3 substitute members.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1 (2): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: Residents of Suriname who are Surinamese nationals, are at least 23 years of age, and have not been excluded from their right to vote, may be appointed as members of the Electoral Council.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1 (7): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State
Comments: The members of the Independent Electoral Council are appointed and discharged by the President. The President shall appoint the Chairman and deputy Chairman, as well as the secretary.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 1 (2, 3, 4): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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):
g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations j . Religious Institutions
Comments:
Source: Final Report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: Final Report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations k . Yes, conducted by Religious Institutions
Comments:
Source: Final Report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: The members of the National Assembly shall be elected directly by the inhabitants having Suriname nationality and having reached the age of eighteen years.
Source: Constitution, Art. 57: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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:
Source: Constitution, Art. 57: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012);
Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 3: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: The Electoral Council supervises the careful compilation and continual updating of the voters’ lists is referred to in Article 16 of this decree, and ascertains that the corrections and additions which prove to be necessary, or were instructed by court order, are made.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 2: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 13, 14, 16: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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) f . Other
Comments: Two persons who have been authorized thereto in writing by the political organization or party shall submit an application for entry in the register.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 31: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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 j . Other
Comments: a) 21 years
d) Residence in the constituency where running for at least 2 years
j) Qualified electors
Source: Constitution, Art. 59: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Neither in presidential nor legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 38, 40: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: Political parties are not entitled to public funding.
Source: International IDEA Political Finance Database: http://www.idea.int/parties/finance/db/country_print.cfm?CountryCode=SR
Verified: 2025/03/28
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 116 - 118: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: d) If the objections submitted by a voter are deemed not implausible and are of such a serious nature that the legitimacy thereof could be of such a serious nature that there would be an appreciable difference in the result of the counting, the main polling station may decide to recount the voters of one or more of the polling stations of the electoral district or constituency.
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 126, 125 (2): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: 2025/03/28
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: There is no limit on paid advertising imposed by law.
Source: Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: The only legal provision with regard to direct democracy mechanisms refers to the constitutional referendum held in 1987 for the approval of the Constitution of Suriname.
Source: Constitution, Art. 186: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 186: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 186: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 186: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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:
d . No information available
Comments: The only referendum in Suriname was held in 1987 for the approval of its Constitution.
Source: Constitution, Art. 186: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no legal provisions in this regard.
Source: Constitution: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Suriname/english.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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 h . By proxy
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 87 (1), 89 (2), 110, 111, 112: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 87 (1), 89 (2), 110, 111, 112: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012);
Final Report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 87 (1), 89 (2), 110, 111, 112: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012);
Final Report of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the General Elections in the Republic of Suriname on May 25, 2010: http://www.oas.org/es/sap/docs/deco/2010/SURINAME_%20MAY25_%202010_e.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 99: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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