France
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 643,801 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 43,234,000
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05
?UMP - Union for a Popular Movement - (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire)
?PS - Socialist Party - (Parti Socialiste)
?MoDem - Democratic Movement - (Mouvement d?mocrate)
?PCF - French Communist Party - (Parti Communiste Fran?ais)
?Verts - The Greens - (Les Verts)
?NC - New Centre - (Nouveau Centre)
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 : 2016-09-09 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-30 Two-Round System
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-30 The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 5-year term.
In the Senate 331 members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 9-year terms. In the National Assembly 577 members are elected by absolute majority vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 French legislative election, 2012
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 10 and 17 June 2012
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 577
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 53%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 23,957,594
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Constitution, Art. 3, 11, 88-5, 89 Direct Democracy
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Constitution, Art. 11, 60, 88-5, 89 Direct Democracy
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
A limited, indirect form of local initiative was added to the French Constitution (article 72-1, r?f?rendum d'initiative locale) on 28 March 2003 as part of decentralization reforms. However, the only power these "local referendum initiatives" confer on citizens is the ability to add propositions to their local assembly's meeting agenda. The decision as to whether to submit citizen propositions to a popular vote (referendum) rests with the local assembly.
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-09 Conseil Constitutionnel
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30
Mixed
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 The legislature
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-09-30 Another organ within the national government
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Head of State - Legislature
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-08-30 Governmental appointment
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 divided into 18 regions : 13 in metropolitan France and 5 in overseas France
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 constituencies are delimited for election purposes
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 "Equality" of population
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Legislature (1st chamber) - Legislature (2nd chamber)
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 : 2016-11-14
Candidates are only required to announce their participation accompanied by their signatures, their full name, sex, date and place of birth, residence and occupation.
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 : 2016-11-14
- Requirement
AgeCitizenship
Other
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05
N/A
Candidate registration deposit-References:
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 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 : 2016-11-14
Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Local Government Authority
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 : 2016-08-23 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 : 2016-08-23
Separate ballots for different elections - Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box - Tally of voters who voted - Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters - Each ballot paper held up for public scrutiny, with name of party/candidate called out loud - Tallying by party representative and/or observers as votes are being called out - Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate - Counted by hand - Data fed into computer for calculation - Copies of results of the count are publicly posted at the counting site immediately on the completion of the count
Counting Procedures-References:
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Always recounted
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-21 Citizens residing outside the country
Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
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 : 2016-08-23 Based on mixture of principles - As agreed by special committee
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23
presidential elections - legislative elections
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 1 day
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 a) Administrative Courts of First Instance for regional and municipal elections; b) The Supreme Administrative Court for European Parliament elections; c) The Constitutional Court for legislative, presidential and Senate elections.
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
Art. 33
L'?lection d'un d?put? ou d'un s?nateur peut ?tre contest?e devant leConseil constitutionnel jusqu'au dixi?me jour qui suit la proclamation desr?sultats de l'?lection, au plus tard ? dix-huit heures.
The election of a deputy or a senator can be challenged before the Constitutional Council until the tenth day following the announcement of the election results (no later than eighteen hours).
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-21 both regularly provided funding and in relation to campaigns
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
Donations made by a duly identified natural person for the financing of the Campaign of one or more candidates in the same elections shall not exceed 4 600 euros. Any donation of more than 150 euros to a candidate for his campaign must be paid by check, wire transfer, direct debit or credit card. The total amount of cash donations made to the candidate may not exceed 20% of the Authorized expenditure where this amount is equal to or greater than EUR 15 000 under Article L. 52-11.
Private funding of political parties-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-21
Fines - Prison - Loss of public funding - Loss of elected office
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-10-21
Court - institution for this purpose
The Commission Nationale des Comptes De Campagne et Des Financements Politiques (CNCCFP) refers cases of possible irregularities to the public prosecutor, police or tax authorities for further investigation
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
- Direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines with and without voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT)
- Internet voting systems
e-voting is currently used in politically-binding national elections (elections for public office or direct democracy initiatives)
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
Gender Data:
· Female Population: 33,689,339 (2012)
· Is France a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
· Has France ratified CEDAW: Yes (14 December 1980)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 155 (National Assembly) following 2012 election; 49 (Senate) following 2011 election)
· Human Development Index Position: 22 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
Disability Data:
· Is France a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Has France ratified CRPD: Yes (18 February 2010)
· Population with a disability: 9,844,603 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 No
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-05 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Following an invitation from the Permanent Representation of France to the OSCE to observe the forthcoming 2012 parliamentary elections and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 10 to 11 May 2012.
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