Bahamas
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 392,718
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 13,878 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 172,128
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 2 major parties and 4 minor parties
Number of registered political parties-References:
- 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 : 2016-08-29 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
Plurality (FPTP)
The Bahamas shall be divided into thirty-eight constituencies or such greater number as may be provided for by an Order made by the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of Article 70 of this Constitution and each such constituency shall return one member to the House or Assembly.
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 The Queen is the hereditary head of state.
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 Bahamian general election, 2012
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 7 May 2012
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 41
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 91%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 156,987
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 The Constitution of The Bahamas- Art.54 (2.ii and 3.ii) and 63 (3) Constitutional Referendum Act- Art
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Art. 54 (2.ii and 3.ii) and 63 (3) Constitutional Referendum Act, Art. 2
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02 Parliamentary Registration Department
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 The legislature
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-24 A national government department
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 For an unspecified period
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Head of State - Other
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Civil service appointment
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07
There are a total of 32 local government districts: 13 second-schedule districts, which are further sub-divided into town areas, and 19 third-schedule districts, which are all unitary authorities.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 The Bahamas shall be divided into thirty-eight constituencies or such greater number as may be provided for by an Order made by the Governor-General.
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02
"Equality" of population - Respecting natural barriers - Geographic size of district - Other
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Executive - Boundary Commission
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 : 2016-05-03
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (chamber 1)
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07
- Requirement
Age
Citizenship
Residence
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 deposit equivalent to US$ 125, reimbursed if the candidate is elected or obtains more than 1/6 of the total votes cast in the constituency.
Candidate registration deposit-References:
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 No
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-07 Election Management Body
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 : 2016-08-29 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 : 2016-08-29 Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters - Number of ballots reconciled against ballots initially received (minus spoilt and unused) - Tallying by party representative and/or observers as votes are being called out - Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate - Counted by hand - Copies of results are provided to observers - Observers and party agents are permitted to take their own copies of the results - Copies of results are provided to party agents
Counting Procedures-References:
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Always recounted
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-24 Outside the country voting is not permitted
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 : 2016-10-24 Free broadcast time is not allocated to candidates of elections however any Minister responsible for relations with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas may request a limit of 6 hours of time per week for free government use.
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08
PART VII Election Petitions and Inquiriesinto qualifications.
84. (1) Every election petition shall be presented within twenty-one days of the date of the production of the writ for the election to the House of Assembly under the provisions of section 77:
Provided that-
(a) an election petition questioning the return or the election upon the ground of a corrupt practice and specifically alleging a payment of money or other act to have been made or done since the date of the production of the writ by the Member of Parliament whose electionis questioned or by an agent of the Member of Parliament with the privity of the Member of Parliament or his election agent in pursuance or in furtheranceof such corrupt practice shall, so far as respects such corrupt practice, be presented at any time within twenty-eightdays after the date of such payment or act but in no event shall an election petition be presented after the expiration of sixmonths from the date of the production of the writ of election to the House of Assembly as aforesaid;
(b) an election petition questioning the return or the election upon an allegation of an illegal practice shall, so faras respects such illegal practice, be presented within twenty-eight days after the date of the alleged commission of such illegal practice, but in no event shall an election petition bepresented after the expiration of six months from the date of the production ofthe writ of election to the House of Assembly as aforesaid.
(2) An election petition presented in duetime may, for the purpose of questioning the return or the election upon an allegation of a corrupt or illegal practice, be amended, with the leave of theElection Court, within twenty-eight days of its presentation.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-17
The principal piece of legislation governing general elections in The Bahamas is the Parliamentary Elections Act of 1992. This act contains no provisions covering campaign contributions and no other act authorises public funds for campaigns or political parties
Direct public funding-References:
- 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 : 2016-05-03
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voter registration and identification
- E-voting
- Processing of results
- Election administration
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 Female Population: 190,236 (2012)
· Is Bahamas a signatory to CEDAW: No
· Has Bahamas ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (6 October 1993)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 5 (following 2012 elections)
· Human Development Index Position: 55 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 Is Bahamas a signatory to CRPD: Yes (24 September 2013)
· Has Bahamas ratified CRPD: Yes (28 September 2015)
· Population with a disability: 55,858 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Election time only
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-08 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 At the invitation of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Organization of American States (OAS) deployed an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), composed of 12 international observers. This was the first time that the OAS had been invited to observe General Elections in The Bahamas. The OAS/EOM monitored the process in 30 Constituencies and Observers were also present in the country several days before the election.
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