Dominican Republic
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
-Republic
-Presidential system
-Number of Chambers (Unicameral / Bicameral)
and their tenure
: Bicameral, 4 years.
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
10,349,741
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
48,670㎢
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 6,765,245
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29
** Major parties
Dominican Liberation Party (PLD)
Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM)
Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC)
**Other parties
Civic Renovation Party (PCR)
Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD)
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc (BIS)
Revolutionary Social Democratic Party (PRSD)
Partido Uni?n Dem?crata Cristiana (UDC)
Dominican Humanist Party (PHD)
National Progressive Force (FNP)
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc
Alliance for Democracy
Christian Democratic Union
Dominican Workers' Party
Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic
Grand National Alliance
National Unity Party
Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party
Green Party of Democratic Unity
National Civic Veterans Party
Dominican Social Alliance
Popular Democratic Party
Christian People's Party
Independent Revolutionary Party
National Renaissance Party
Alianza Pa?s (ALPAIS)
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 : 2016-08-16 age 18.
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-26 List Proportional Representation (Chamber 1)
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-26
Dominican Republic has a bicameral Congreso Nacional (National Congress) consisting of the Senado (Senate) with 32 seats and the Camara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) with 183 seats. Members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies serve 4-year terms.
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 Dominican Republic general election, 2016
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
15 May, 2016.
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23 32 seats in the Senado (Senate)
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 4,708,746
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 : 2016-11-09 Constitution: Constituci?n de la Rep?blica Dominicana (2010), art. 22 (2, 3), 208, 210, 272, 97:
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-09 Constitution: Constituci?n de la Rep?blica Dominicana (2010), art. 272:
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Constitution: Constituci?n de la Rep?blica Dominicana (2010), art. 22 (2, 3), 97:
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02
Junta Central Electoral(JCE)
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
Responsibilities
i. To ensure that the elections are carried out subject to the principles of freedom and equality in the development of campaigns.
ii. Ensure transparency in the use of funding.
iii. Regulate the times and limits on campaign spending.
iv. Regulate equal access to the media.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 The legislature - Other
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Board (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.
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16 5 members.
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Legislature
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
divided into thirty-one provincias (The provinces are divided into municipalities (municipios), which are the second?level political and administrative subdivisions of the country)
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 29 provinces and the National District. Allocation of seats according to population. Each Deputy represents 50,000 inhabitants or fraction over 25,000.
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 "Equality" of population - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Electoral Management Body (EMB)
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 : 2016-11-29 The organizers must file the application before the Central Electoral Board (JCE) along with the register of their governing bodies; the record of the name or slogan of the political party; the logo drawings; and, various affidavits by the different hierarchies of the structure of the party.
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Nomination by political parties
- Self nomination (independents)
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-09
- Requirement
Age
Citizenship
Country of birth
Residence
Other
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- 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 : 2016-12-16 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 : 2016-11-29 Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 The Central Electoral Board (JCE) is empowered to set forth every regulation that relates to making up, updating and upkeep of the electoral register.
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 : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 By request
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Citizens residing outside the country
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 : 2016-08-29 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 N/A
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 EMB
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29
Art. 20:
“Las acciones que se intenten con el fin de anularlas elecciones ser?n incoadas por el presidente del ?rgano de direcci?nmunicipal de la agrupaci?n o partido interesado, o quien haga sus veces, o porel candidato afectado, por ante la Junta Electoral del Municipiocorrespondiente. Estas acciones deben intentarse dentro de las veinticuatro horas siguientes a la notificaci?n delresultado del c?mputo general, a las agrupaciones y a los partidos pol?ticosque hubieren sustentado candidaturas; ola publicaci?n en la tablilla de publicaciones de la Junta Central Electoral,la difusi?n en un medio de circulaci?n nacional, o dentro de los dos d?as siguientes a la condenaci?n por fraudeselectorales que hayan influido en el resultado de la elecci?n.”
"The actions that are attempted with the purpose of annulling the elections shall be instituted by the chairman of the governing body of the group of the party concerned, or whoever acts, or by the affected candidate, before the Electoral Board Of the corresponding Municipality. These actions must be attempted within twenty-four hours of notification of the result of the general census, to the groups and to the political parties that have supported candidacies; The publication on the Central Electoral Board's publications tablet, the dissemination in a national circulation medium, or within two days following the conviction for fraudulent candidates that have influenced the result Of the election. "
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-17
Yes, regularly provided funding
The amount of the fund is increased (doubled) in election years.
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
N/A
Private funding of political parties-References:
- 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 : 2016-08-16
-
Voter registration and
identification
: Device for Concurrent Registration (DRC in spanish)
Main advantages of using Concurrent recording
devices(DRC)
i.
Confirmation of the identity of the
citizen with the verification of the fingerprint.
ii.
Data verification citizen
digitally, including the photo.
iii.
Consultation of voters who do not
belong to the polling station, the place where to vote in the municipality.
iv.
Generation and transmission pattern
of concurrent polling station at the end of the voting.
v.
Periodic information on voter
turnout.
-
E-voting
:
Counting Units Automated Votes (CVA in Spanish)
The
main features of this process are
i.
Recognition and allocation of votes
of the ballots.
ii.
Adapted to the Dominican electoral
system.
iii.
Printing Voting Relations.
iv.
Automatic transmission of results.
v.
Battery backup power.
vi.
Scanning and transmission ratios
voting after being signed
-
Processing of results
i.
Printer
Relations Voting Results. Data with the election results are consolidated in
the JCE, and will be presented to the public by various media, such as radio,
television and print media. They will also be published on the internet. This
information will be shared automatically with the computer centers of political
parties.
ii.
Difficulties
identified in the above processes
A.
Loss of time in transferring the
results to the collection centers.
B.
Long lines at the collection
centers with the largest number of polling stations, making it difficult
logistics reception and increased time to issue results.
C. Security weakness voting relations to be moved. (Possibility that the document is lost, increasing the possibility of alteration)
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Female Population: 5,173,950 (July 2015 est.)
· Is Dominican Republic a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
· Has Dominican Republic ratified CEDAW: Yes (2 September 1982)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 41 (19.07%)
· Human Development Index Position: 101 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Is Dominican Republic a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Has Dominican Republic ratified CRPD: Yes (18 August 2009)
· Population with a disability: 1,571,813
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-29 No
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) to the general elections of May 15 in the Dominican Republic, headed by former Colombian President Andr?s Pastrana, today presented a preliminary report that proposes an in-depth structural reform in order to help strengthen the electoral process in the country.
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-16
? Major challenges to elections
i. The absence of a Political Parties Law that regulates their actions, whose proposal is pending approval in Congress for years, as well as the necessary amendment to the Electoral Law No. 275-97:
ii. The complexity presented by the large number of candidates, after unified the two levels of voting (Presidential and Congressional / Municipal), which involves the choice of more than 4,000 elected positions.
iii. The process of forming Alliances Pacts between political parties, which presented several drawbacks, reveals the urgency of its regulation.
iv. The process of registration of candidates, is another process that requires legal regulation.
v. The distrust that prevails between the parties, and within political parties
vi. Resistance of Political Parties to changes and implementation of technology in the electoral process
Major challenges to elections-References:
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03