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ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK

Legal Framework Boundary Delimitation Electoral Systems

ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION

Gender and Elections Parties and Candidates Disability and Elections Media and Elections Civic and Voter Education Direct Democracy

ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT

Electoral Management Cost of Elections

ELECTORAL INTEGRITY

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Dominican Republic

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Comments: For electoral purposes, the political and administrative division of the country (thirty provinces and the national district) is used. Each province is assigned a seat per 50,000 inhabitants or a fraction above 25,000, although they must have at least two. Each province is a single constituency with a variable amount of seats. However, the law sets forth that as of the legislative and municipal elections of the year 2002 on, special districts be created. For this purpose, the JCE approved two resolution, one in July, 2001 (RJCE-05), and the other in december of the same year(RJCE-11), establishing the boundaries of the new districts in the provinces where more than five deputies are elected.
Source: EL: 79 to 81. Resolution of the JCE No. 05-2001, July, 2001 (RJCE-05) Resolution of the JCE No. 11-2001 December, 2001 (RJCE-11)
Last updated: 2007-11-12 20:00:57 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
b. Respecting natural barriers
c. Compactness of constituencies
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
e. Geographic size of district
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns

Source: EL: 79 to 81. RJCE-05 RCJE-11
Last updated: 2007-11-12 20:00:57 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
d. Electoral management body

Source: EL: 80 and 81 RJCE-05 RCJE-11
Last updated: 2007-11-12 20:00:57 UTC

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Carlos Navarro
b. Job Title: Director of Electoral Studies
c. Organisation: Federal Electoral Institute
d. Contact Address. Viaducto Tlalpan 100, Arenal Tepepan, Mexico City, 14610
e. Telephone: (5255) 5628-4234
f. Facsimile: (5255) 5655-7012
g. Email: [email protected]

Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:18:28 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
f. None

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:19:13 UTC

DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:19:37 UTC

DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:19:50 UTC

DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:20:10 UTC

DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:20:41 UTC

DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:21:13 UTC

DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:21:35 UTC

DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:21:52 UTC

DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:22:09 UTC

DD25 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:22:32 UTC

DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Source: 2002 Constitution.
Last updated: 2005-10-14 18:22:46 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Junta Central Electoral
b. Full Address Av. 27 de febrero esq. Luperón, Santo Domingo
c. Telephone (809) 539- 5019
d. Facsimile (809) 530 0302
e. Email jce(a)codetel.net.do
f. Website Address http://www.jce.do
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Dr. Julio César Castaños Guzmán, Magistrado Presidente
h. Information Officer Dr. Alejandro Vicini
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish

Source: Junta Central Electoral
Last updated: 2007-11-12 17:06:05 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level

Source: C: 92 EL: 3
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:17:13 UTC

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature

Comments: The budgetary needs are determined by the JCE. After this, they are submitted to the Executive Branch, which sends it to the National Congress for approval. The budget may be modified both by the President and by the National Congress.
Source: C: 37, 55 EL: 6
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:17:13 UTC

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
e. Another organ within the national government

Comments: The electoral body's expenses are approved by the plenum of the Judges of the JCE and controlled by the Financial Directorate, under the surveillance of the Internal Audit. Said processes are verified and audited by the General Comptrollership of the Republic and the Accountability Chamber, whenever this organization deems it adequate.
Source: EL: 6
Last updated: 2007-11-12 19:41:35 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: For a term of four years. The Senate elects the nine magistrates of the JCE (a chair and eight members) to serve for a four year term.
Source: EL: 4
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:17:13 UTC

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
a. estimated total: USD $ 1, 136 ,276. 00 (RD $18,708,785.60) Exchange rate: 1 USD = 17.93 RD pesos

Comments: 1 136 276 USD (1 USD = 17.93 RD pesos)
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:17:13 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 4, 647, 839

Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:17:13 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?
a. USD/registered voter $0.24
b. Exchange rate used 1 USD = 17.93 RD pesos

Last updated: 2007-11-09 20:09:07 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?

Last updated: 2007-11-09 20:09:07 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government

Source: C: 49 and 55
Last updated: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 22:16:58 GMT

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)

Comments: If necessary, runoff is held 45 days after first round. Reelection of the president is permitted for one more term, with the impossibility of ever contending again for the presidency or the vicepresidency. The presidential term lasts four years.
Source: C: 49 EL: 162
Last updated: 2007-11-09 19:40:04 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term.
Source: C: 49
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:05:28 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers

Comments: The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Source: C: 16
Last updated: 2007-11-09 18:08:10 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation

Comments: According to the Constitution, each deputy is elected for every 50,000 inhabitants or a fraction above 25,000. Deputies are elected taking into account the political division of the country into provinces (thirty-one in all), including the so called national district (capital district). At least two deputies must be elected in every province, regardless of the size of its population. By resolution of the JCE (Junta Central Electoral), the Provinces with less than 250,000 inhabitants can only make up a single constituency or multimember district. Thus, they are allocated from two to five seats. The provinces with more than 250,000 inhabitants can be divided into two or more multimember districts. Deputies are elected for a four year term and immediate reelection is permitted.
Source: C: 24 EL: 79 to 81, and 164.
Last updated: 2007-11-09 19:40:04 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable X

Last updated: Tue, 09 Jul 2002 22:49:12 GMT

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
e. Not applicable X

Last updated: Tue, 09 Jul 2002 22:50:29 GMT

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation

Comments: The basic provisions about the electoral regime are embodied in the Constitution, but a separate and specific legislation details all aspects related to the preparation, organization and surveillance of elections, including the legal regime of political parties (Electoral Code). The Electoral Code entitles the electoral management body (JCE) to dictate all the measures it deems adequate for the smooth development of the electoral processes.
Source: C: 91, 92
Last updated: 2007-11-12 15:53:47 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
c. Local elections

Source: C: 90 EL: 86
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:02:52 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
c. Voting is compulsory and regulated in the constitution

Comments: In spite of its compulsory nature, the Constitution establishes voting as a right. There are no sanctions for non-voters.
Source: C: 9, 13 and 88 International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:02:52 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB

Comments: The electoral body -- Junta Central Electoral-- is invested with both powers, administrative and jurisdictional (resolution of challenges). It is empowered to get to know and decide on challenges, appeals, protests, claims, and other resources that result from first degree judgments of the electoral boards.
Source: EL: 6
Last updated: 2007-11-12 16:48:46 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

Source: EL: 94 International IDEA research, February 2007
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:22:17 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X

Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Source: EL: 94 International IDEA research, February 2007
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:22:17 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:41:27 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement

Comments: The signatures of citizens nationwide who accept to affiliate with the party, that must be of at least 2% of the valid votes cast in the previous presidential elections. The party must also have representation (offices) in, at least, the capital cities of all provinces, which ought to be located in urban areas. Once a party is registrated, it can place candidates for every election.
Source: EL: 42
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement

Comments: The signatures of citizens nationwide who accept to affiliate with the party, that must be of at least 2% of the valid votes cast in the previous presidential elections. The party must also have representation (offices) in, at least, the capital cities of all provinces, which ought to be located in urban areas. Once a party is registrated, it can place candidates for every election.
Source: EL: 42
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
d. Residence
j. Other

Comments: a. 25 years old. d. If the candidate is not native to the electoral district, must have resided there for at least 5 years. j. Naturalized citizens are only entitled to be candidates after 10 years of their naturalization and 5 years of residence in the corresponding electoral district.
Source: C: 22 and 25
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
d. Residence
j. Other

Comments: a. 25 years old. d. If the candidate is not native to the electoral district, must have resided there for at least 5 years. j. Naturalized citizens are only entitled to be candidates after 10 years of their naturalization and 5 years of residence in the corresponding electoral district.
Source: EL: 22
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections

Comments: In order to compete, the "accidental political groups" that back the candidacy must inform the JCE of their intention to so 60 days prior to the election and have enough memebers to add up to a certain percentage of the citizens registered in each constituency. Such political groups have to be organized as a registered political party.
Source: EL: 76 and 77
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect

Comments: c. Time on state radio and TV.
Source: EL: 48-55 and 94 International IDEA (2004) "A Challenge for Democracy; Political Parties in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic"
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
b. Based on result of previous election

Comments: 80% of the budget for those parties with more than 5% of valid votes cast in the previous presidential election, and 20% for those with less than 5% of valid votes.
Source: EL: 50
Last updated: 2007-11-13 19:57:44 UTC

PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes

Comments: They must submit an accounting system every year.
Source: EL: 47
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:07:55 UTC

Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations

Source: EL: 126 and 127
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:09:44 UTC

VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request

Source: EL: 140
Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:15:57 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?
a. hours: Within the 48 hours after the closing of voting.

Last updated: 2007-11-13 20:09:44 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
b. Regional Electoral Management Bodies

Source: EL: 6, 39, 100, 104
Last updated: 2007-11-13 16:26:01 UTC

VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only

Source: JCE
Last updated: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 23:29:17 GMT

VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
e. Yes, conducted by the Government

Source: JCE
Last updated: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 23:29:46 GMT

Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections

Source: EL: 34
Last updated: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 00:40:10 GMT

VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country

Comments: The electoral law foresees the possibility that Dominicans residing abroad might vote in the presidential elections, but provisions are subject to the approval of the JCE. Voting from outside the country will be implemented for the first time for the presidential elections on 2008
Source: EL: 82 and 83
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:45:01 UTC

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
f. Other

Comments: The electoral law foresees the possibility that Dominicans residing abroad might vote in the presidential elections, but provisions are subject to the approval of the JCE. It will be implemented for the presidential elections on 2008. It is not yet defined where will it take place.
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:45:01 UTC

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: 400 voters

Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:37:42 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Source: EL: 120
Last updated: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 00:45:10 GMT

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: Five people to each polling station, regardless of its size.
b. The largest polling station: Five people to each polling station, regardless of its size.

Last updated: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 00:46:00 GMT

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: seven hours

Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:37:42 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: seven hours

Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:37:42 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Comments: Citizenship is acquired at the age of 18 or, if the person is younger, when they get married.
Source: C: 12
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:11:17 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship

Source: C: 13
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:09:00 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Comments: The JCE is empowered to set forth every regulation that relates to making up, updating and upkeep of the electoral register.
Source: EL: 6, 39 and 40
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:11:17 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
a. Yes

Source: Maria Gratschew, Voter turnout project, International IDEA EL: 39
Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:11:17 UTC

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?

Last updated: 2007-11-13 17:07:37 UTC

May 20, 2008 08:18 AM