Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: 33. (1) For the purpose of the election of Representatives, Saint Vincent shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section, be divided into thirteen constituencies having such boundaries as may be prescribed by order made by the Constituency Boundaries Commission.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979: Section 33(1)
Verified: 2021/12/26
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population g . Other
Comments: All constituencies should contain as nearly equal numbers of inhabitants as appears to the Constituency Boundaries Commission to be reasonably practicable, but the Commission may depart from this principle to such extent as it considers expedient in order to take account of the following factors:
a. the density of population and in particular the need to ensure adequate representation of adequate representation of sparsely populated rural areas;
b. the means of communication;
c. geographical features; and
d. the boundaries of existing administrative areas.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979: Section 33(2)
Verified: 2021/12/26
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Boundaries Commission is composed of three members, all appointed by the Governor General: the chairman appointed on his own deliberate judgement: one member acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, and one member acting in accordance with the advice of the leader of the opposition.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979: Section 33(1)and (4)
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: There shall be a Governor-General of Saint Vincent who shall be appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty's pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty's representative in Saint Vincent.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art. 19 & 50
Verified: 2021/12/26
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General. Whenever the Governor General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall appoint a Representative who appears to him likely to command the support of the majority of the Representatives.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art, 51
Verified: 2021/12/26
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The executive authority is vested on Her Majesty, exercised on her behalf by the Governor General.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art. 19 & 50
Verified: 2021/12/26
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines consists of Her Majesty and the House of Assembly. In addition to the directly elected members of the House, there are also 6 senators, (4 appointed by the Governor-General, in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister; and 2 appointed by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the leader of the opposition).
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art. 23-24 & 28
Verified: 2021/12/26
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 of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art. 24 & 27
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: Some basic provisions about the electoral regime are embodied in the Constitution, but a separate and specific legislation details aspects related to the preparation, organization and running of elections. (The Representation of the People Act, cited for the purposes of this document as RPA).
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, art 27, 32-34, Representation of the People Act
Verified: 2021/12/26
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: The Representation of the People Act regulates only the elections for the House of Assembly. No other type of elections (regional or local) are held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law: https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html
Verified: 2021/12/26
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Subject to the provisions of this Act or of any written law imposing any disqualification for registration as a voter, every person, who has attained the age of eighteen years or upwards, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter in a constituency for the purpose of electing a representative for that constituency if, on the qualifying date.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, art. 5: https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: Any petition complaining of an undue return or undue election of a member of the House of Assembly should be submitted to the Supreme Court.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, art. 57 -59.
Verified: 2021/12/26
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 Supervisor of Elections is responsible to exercise the general supervision over the registration of voters in elections of Representatives and over the conduct of such elections. The Supervisor of elections is appointed by the Public Service Commission in consultation with the Prime Minister.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 34.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, article 25.
Verified: 2021/12/27
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: Ministry of Finance allocates funds for the Elections Office.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, PART III.
Verified: 2021/12/27
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: All expenses properly incurred by and all remuneration and travelling allowances payable to election officers shall be paid out of monies voted for the purpose by the House of Assembly.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, article 69.
Verified: 2021/12/27
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:
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 34.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, article 25.
Verified: 2021/12/27
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
c . Mixed
Comments: While there is government control at the level of finances, terms and conditions of employment and the other routine administrative matters; the electoral Office is legally an independent body as it relates to the conduct of elections to the House of Assembly.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 and St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The EMB is composed of the "election officer": the Supervisor of Elections, Deputy Supervisor of Elections, returning officer, presiding officer, registering officer and any other officer duly authorised to perform any function relating to the registration of voters, the proceedings on polling day or the counting of the votes.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, ARTICLE 2
Verified: 2021/12/27
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
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:
Source: Electoral Office's website has some basic voter education information available. http://www.caribbeanelections.com/vc/education/default.asp
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: Electoral Office's website has some basic voter education information available. http://www.caribbeanelections.com/vc/education/default.asp
Verified: 2021/12/27
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2021/12/27
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, Art 27(2)
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: A person is qualified to be registered as an elector for a polling district if he is a citizen of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; if he is a Commonwealth citizen who has resided in San Vincent for a period not less than twelve months immediately prior to the qualifying date; and in either case has resided in that constituency for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the qualifying date.
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, Art 27(2)
Verified: 2021/12/27
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 Supervisor of Elections exercise general supervision over the registration of voters
Source: Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979, article 34: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines_1979.pdf?lang=en
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, article 15: https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html
Verified: 2021/12/27
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Only in order to be able to exercise the right to vote.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Electoral Law, article 5: https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: An affidavit must be signed by each candidate running for national elections. In addition, a minimum of 30% of the candidates for elected offices and in proportion with possibilities of being elected must be women.
Source: Political Parties’ Law: “Ley Orgánica de los Partidos Políticos — Ley 23298”, art. 7 & 8: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-23298-organica-pp-pp-2017/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: In order to be eligible, one must be 25 years old, have Argentinian citizenship for at least four years and originate from the constituency where he/she seeks to be elected or have two consecutive years of residence in it.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución de la Nación Argentina — Ley 24430, texto oficial ordenado”, art. 48: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-constitucion-nacional-reformas-1994/ (2019);
Law for the Democratisation of political representation, transparency, and electoral equity: “Ley de Democratización de la representación política, la transparencia y la equidad electoral — Ley 26571”, art. 21: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26571-democratizacion-transparencia-equidad-2019/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: “Constitución de la Nación Argentina — Ley 24430, texto oficial ordenado”, art. 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-constitucion-nacional-reformas-1994/ (2019);
Political Parties’ Law: “Ley Orgánica de los Partidos Políticos — Ley 23298”, art. 2: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-23298-organica-pp-pp-2017/ (2019);
Law for the Democratisation of political representation, transparency, and electoral equity: “Ley de Democratización de la representación política, la transparencia y la equidad electoral — Ley 26571”, art. 21: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26571-democratizacion-transparencia-equidad-2019/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments: The state guarantees the funding of political parties by contributions through the Permanent Supporter Fund.
Source: Law for Financing Political Parties: “Ley de Financiamiento de los partidos políticos — Ley 26215”, art. 5: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26215-financiamiento-pp-pp-2019/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance b . Based on result of previous election
Comments: 20% of available resources are distributed in an egalitarian way between all recognized parties, while 80% are distributed in proportion with the results of the previous national deputies election.
Source: Law for Financing Political Parties: “Ley de Financiamiento de los partidos políticos — Ley 26215”, art. 9: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26215-financiamiento-pp-pp-2019/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Private funding can be designated to the Permanent Supporter Fund (managed by the Ministry of Interior) or directly to political parties.
Source: Law for Financing Political Parties: “Ley de Financiamiento de los partidos políticos — Ley 26215”, art. 14: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26215-financiamiento-pp-pp-2019/ (2019)
Verified: 2021/12/26
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: Forthwith 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 two electors if none of the candidates is represented, the presiding officer counts the number of votes.
Source: HAER: 39.
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979
Verified: 2021/12/27
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
b . Always recounted
Comments: After the ballot boxes have been received by the returning officer, they are opened at the place, date and time specified for the final count of the votes (not necessarily a recount) , and in the presence of the candidates or their agents.
The returning officer, count the votes contained therein cast for each candidate, the votes rejected by the presiding officer and determine the valid votes, the total number of votes. The candidate who, on final count of the votes, is found to have secured the largest number of votes, is declared elected in writing and a copy of such declaration shall be forthwith delivered to each candidate or his agent.
Besides, an additional recount can be requested by a candidate, but the returning officer may refuse to do so if, in his opinion, the request is unreasonable.
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law, Article 42: https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html
Verified: 2021/12/27
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:
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
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:
a . Constitutional changes only
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Electoral Law
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: The Representation of the People Act, art. 34 (1): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html (2013)
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: The Representation of the People Act, art. 34 (1): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html (2013)
Verified: 2021/12/27
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: The Representation of the People Act, art. 34 (1): http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html (2013)
Verified: 2021/12/27
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: The Representation of the People Act, art. 31: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/StVincent/StV&Gr.html (2013)
Verified: 2021/12/27
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