Nicaragua
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
Unitary presidential constitutional republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 6,167,237
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 130,375 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 3,665,141
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 16
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
List Proportional Representation (Chamber 1)
Members of the National Assembly are elected by proportional representation for a five-year term.
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 The President is elected by plurality vote to serve a 5-year term.*
* In order to avoid a run-off, a candidate must obtain either 40 percent of the vote or 35 percent with at least a 5-point lead over the nearest rival.
*** There are 17 multi-member constituencies for 70 seats (District magnitude ranging from 2 to 19) and one nationwide constituency comprising 20 seats. There is no threshold for entering parliament. One seat is reserved for the previous president and one seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election.
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 Nicaraguan general election, 2011
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 6 November 2011
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 90 seats in the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 69%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 2,512,584
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”, art. 2, 140 (5): |
Electoral Law No. 331: “Ley Electoral No. 331 (enmendada por la ley No. 790 del 23/05/2012)”, art. 133 - 138:
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”, art. 2:
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”, art. 140
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”:
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 Nicaragua Supreme Electoral Tribunal
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 MISSION
Organize, direct and supervise elections, plebiscites and referenda in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua, the Electoral Law and decisions issued by the Plenum of the Supreme Electoral Council, ensuring transparent and efficiently exercise the right to vote fairly and competitive.
VISION
Modernizing and technically improve electoral processes with emphasis on integrated civil registry system, Identity Cards Citizen and Electoral Cartography thus guaranteeing the legitimate right to a name and nationality for each of Nicaraguans so that they can fully exercise the mandates of the Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 The legislature - Other
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23
The legislature - Another organ within the national government (The General Comptroller of the Republic is an independent body in charge of controlling the management of the General State Budget.)
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Head of State - Legislature - Civil society
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
divided for administrative purposes into fifteen departments (departamentos) and two autonomous regions (regi?nes aut?nomas):
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23
Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Regional distribution requirement - Other
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23 independent candidates can compete in both presidential and legislative elections
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirement
- Period
- Method
- Application form
- Acceptance and notice
- Restriction/Prohibition on candidate registration
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23
A continuous register (voter data is continuously collected and d between electoral events)
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25
Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 Created by the EMB using its own data collection and/or other sources of data
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 The polling stations
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 By request
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 No
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 The Supreme Electoral Council is the contentious authority in electoral issues.
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
Art. 132:
“De las actas sumatorias municipales o departamentales,los fiscales podr?n interponer recursos que ser?n resueltos en un plazo nomayor de tres d?as. De la resoluci?n de los recursos de impugnaci?n habr?apelaci?n ?nicamente ante el Consejo Supremo Electoral de conformidad con lapresente Ley.”
Art. 163:
“Los fiscales presentar?n su solicitud de correcci?n deerrores aritm?ticos o de nulidad ante la Junta Receptora de Votos. Esta laincluir? en el Acta de escrutinio y enviar? con el resto de documentaci?n de lavotaci?n al Consejo Electoral de su circunscripci?n.”
Article 132:
"From the municipal or departmental summons, prosecutors could file appeals that will be resolved within a three-day period. The resolution of the appeals shall be appealed only to the Supreme Electoral Council in accordance with the present Law. "
Art. 163:
"Prosecutors shall submit their request for correction of arithmetic or nullity to the Voting Board. Is it included In the Counting and Shipping Act With the rest of documentation of the election to the Electoral Council of its circumscription. "
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, eligibility criteria for direct public funding
- If so, how this fund will be allocated
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 Fines - Forfeiture - Deregistration of party - Loss of nomination of candidate - Other
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23
If official election results processed by an electronic tabulation system, results between polling station level and central level are entered into an electronic tabulation system.
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 Female Population: 3,023,064 (July 2015 est.)
· Is Nicaragua a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
· Has Nicaragua ratified CEDAW: Yes (27 October 1981)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 37 (40.22%)
· Human Development Index Position: 125 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Medium (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Is Nicaragua a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Has Nicaragua ratified CRPD: Yes (7 December 2007)
· Population with a disability: 886,182 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
The OAS General Secretariat had been invited to observe every electoral process held in Nicaragua since 1990, for which its respective reports were presented to the Permanent Council.
On August 9, 2005, the government of Nicaragua and subsequently, on January 19, 2006, the Supreme Electoral Council invited the Organization of American States (OAS) to accompany the entire process for the election of regional councils on Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast (March 5) and the presidential and legislative elections (November 5).
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03