A WEB

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.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the governor-general.

In the Senate 16 members are appointed by the governor-general to serve 5-year terms. In the House of Assembly 41 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms.

 

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