A WEB

System of government

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-The British Commonwealth.

- Number of Chambers (Unicameral / Bicameral) and their tenure

: Bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate with 21 seats and the House of Assembly with 30 seats. 5 years.

System of government-References:

 

Total population

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-289,680

 

 

Total population-References:

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- 430㎢

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:

 

Number of registered voters

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-235,510(2013 Election for Hose of Assembly)

 

Number of registered voters-References:

 

Number of registered political parties

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-10 parties.

 

Represented in Parliament.

Barbados Labour Party (BLP)

Democratic Labour Party (DLP)

Others.

People's Empowerment Party (PEP)

Clement Payne Movement (CPM)

Pan-Caribbean Congress (PCP)

Defunct.

Barbados National Party (BNP)

National Democratic Party (NDP)

People's Political Alliance (PPA)

People's Progressive Movement (PPM)

Worker's Party of Barbados (WPB)

 

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 : 2016-08-23

-18 years old.

 

Voting age-References:

 

Elected Offices

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-Senate, House.

 

Elected Offices-References:

 

Election system

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- In the Senate 21 members are appointed by the governor-general. In the House of Assembly 30 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies.

 

 

Election system-References:

 

Terms of office

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- 5 years for both chambers.

 

Terms of office-References:

 

Election

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-Elections for House Assembly

 

Election-References:

 

Date

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-Feb, 21, 2013.

 

 

Date-References:

 

Political parties in the elections

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-Democratic Labor Party

-Barbados Labor Party

 

Political parties in the elections-References:

 

Number of elected candidates

Last Updated : 2016-09-08

30

 

Number of elected candidates-References:

 

Voter turnout

Last Updated : 2016-09-08

66%

 

Voter turnout-References:

 

Number of ballots cast

Last Updated : 2016-09-08

115,204

 

Number of ballots cast-References:

 

Legal framework for elections

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

 

 

 

 Legal framework of elections

Ø  Barbados Constitution (1966)

Ø  Barbados Constitution (2002)

Ø  Barbados Representation of the People's Act (2007)

Ø  Representation of the People (General Elections) Allocation of Broadcasting Time Regulation(1990)

Ø  Elections Offences and Controversies Rules (1959)

Ø  Statistics Act (1985)

Ø  Barbados Referendum Act (2005)

 

 

 

Legal framework for elections-References:

 

Legal provisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-09

N/A

 

Legal provisions-References:

 

Referenda

Last Updated : 2016-11-09

N/A

 

Referenda-References:

 

People’s Initiatives

Last Updated : 2016-11-30

N/A

 

People’s Initiatives-References:

 

Recall Votes

Last Updated : 2016-11-30

N/A

 

Recall Votes-References:

 

Official name

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-The Barbados electoral and boundaries commission.

 

Official name -References:

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-Mission: To maintain accurate registers for the national and electoral registration systems and to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections.

 

- The major functions of the Electoral Department are:

• Management of the permanent and continuous system of national registration which includes issuing the Barbados Identification Card.

 

• Undertaking the constitutional and statutory functions of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission in relation to the registration of voters, the conduct of parliamentary elections and the review of constituency boundaries.

 

 

-Vision: To maintain the position of beacon and leader among electoral institutions in the maintenance and management of national and electoral registration systems and the conduct of parliamentary elections.

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)

Last Updated : 2016-09-08

Independent

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:

 

EMB budget source

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- Technically the final approval falls under the Minister of Finance's responsibility, but officially it is the PM who determines the budget. Once the budget is approved by the Minister the budget must pass Parliament and after that it becomes official.

 

 

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 : 2016-08-23

- The Electoral and Boundaries Commission consists of five members and employs thirty members. Registering Officers while the Department has a staff of thirty five employed by the Public Services Commission.

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- The members of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission serve for a period of five years and are eligible for re-appointment. However the Chief Electoral Officer is appointed for an unspecified period.

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- The prime minister and opposition choose the EMB members.

 

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 : 2016-11-09

divided into eleven parishes

 

Administrative divisions -References:

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- Constituencies are delimited by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Commission submits its report to both Houses of Parliament and once approved by them it is forwarded to the Governor General, who gives final legal effect by making an order for the acceptance of the review of the boundaries.

 

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- The provision of the Third Schedule of the Constitution states that 1.The electorate shall, so far as practicable, be equal in all constituencies: Provided that the electorate in any constituency shall, so far as practicable, not exceed 115%, nor be less than 85%, of the total electorate divided by the number of constituencies therein. 2. Natural boundaries such as highways and rivers shall be used wherever possible.

 

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- The Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Commission consists of a Chairman, a deputy Chairman and three other members. The Chairman and two other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, by instrument under the Public Seal, and the deputy Chairman and one other member shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition after consultation with the Prime Minister, by instrument under the Public Seal.

Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Requirements on the right to vote

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

Under Section 7 (1) of the Representation of the People Act , a person is qualified to be registered as an elector for a constituency if, on the qualifying date, he/she:

(a)   is a citizen of Barbados; or

 

(b)   is a Commonwealth citizen (other than a citizen of Barbados) who has resided in Barbados for a period of at least three years immediately before the qualifying date and

 

 

(c)   is eighteen (18) years of age or over; and

 

(d) has resided in that constituency for a period of at least three months before the qualifying date, or, but for the circumstances entitling him to vote at a Mission, would have been resident at the address at which he was ordinarily resident in that constituency immediately before leaving Barbados.

 

 

 

Requirements on the right to vote-References:

 

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 : 2016-08-23

a) Nomination by 4 electors

b) Deposit equivalent to 250 bb$(Barbados dollars), reimbursed if the candidate is elected or obtains more than 1/6 of the total votes cast in the constituency.

 

Requirements for party registration-References:

 

Candidate nomination

Last Updated : 2016-11-09

independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1)

 

Candidate nomination-References:

 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)

Last Updated : 2016-11-30

Qualified electors
- age: 21 years
- Barbados citizenship
- residence in the country for more than 7 years
- ineligibility: undischarged bankruptcy, allegiance to a foreign State, imprisonment exceeding 6 months, conviction of felony or of an offence involving dishonesty, electoral fraud
- nomination by 4 electors 
                                       

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 : 2016-11-30

N/A

 

Uncontested Election -References:

 

Preparation of the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Who is responsible for the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- The Barbados electoral and boundaries commission. (EMB)

 

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 : 2016-08-23

- The poll is opened from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and no longer; however all persons in line at the polling station at 6:00 p.m. are allowed to cast their votes.Representation of the People Act, Cap. 12, Second Schedule, Rule 12 (2)

 

Voting hours-References:

 

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 : 2016-08-23

- The vote at the poll is given by ballot. The Presiding Officer gives the voter a ballot paper and the voter on receiving the ballot paper, shall forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his paper and fold it so as to conceal his vote, and shall then show to the Presiding Officer the back of the paper so as to disclose the official mark, and put the ballot paper so folded into the ballot box in the presence of the Presiding Officer.

 

Voting Procedures -References:

 

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 : 2016-08-19

Special Counting Centres

 

Counting Location-References:

 

Counting period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Vote counting method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box - Tally of voters who voted - Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters - Number of ballots reconciled against ballots initially received (minus spoilt and unused)

Counting Procedures-References:

 

When are ballots recounted?

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

By request

 

When are ballots recounted?-References:

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?

Last Updated : 2016-10-24

Diplomatic staff

 

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 : 2016-11-09

N/A

 

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:

 

Television debates

Last Updated : 2016-11-09

N/A

 

Television debates-References:

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results

Last Updated : 2016-11-09

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

Petitions

8. Form of petition.

Every petition shall be addressed “To the Supreme Court of Barbados “. It shall be in the formset out in Appendix B to these rules with such variations as the particular circumstances may require.

 

APPENDIX B FORM1

Petition in Respect of a General Assembly Election

The petition of (here name or names and address or addresses)

She weth as follows-

 1. Your petitioner is a person who voted (or had a right to vote, as the case may be) at the above election (or claims to have a right to be elected or returned at the above election) or was a candidate at the above election.

2. Your petitioner states that the election was held on the day of 19 when (name of candidate or candidates) were candidates and the returning officer has returned X as duly elected.

3. Your petitioner states that (here set out the facts and grounds on which petitioner relies).

Wherefore your petitioner prays that it might be determined (here state relief prayed for).

Dated this day of 19 .

Petitioner.

The address forservice for the petitioner is

The attorney-at-law for the petitioner is   serviceis

whose addressfor

Where there is more than one petitioner the plural is to be used.

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-12-16

N/A

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Direct public funding

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

-       If so, eligibility criteria for direct public funding

: Funding is only available to political parties with parliamentary representation. However, under the Parliament (Administration) Act 1989 (CAP. 10), parliament provides an annual subvention of BD$ 300,000 (US$148515), which is shared among the political parties that have a parliamentary presence. In addition, each constituency is entitled to an office and a stipend of BD$ 750 (US$370).

Direct public funding-References:

 

Private funding of political parties

Last Updated : 2016-10-26

No

Private funding of political parties-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies

Last Updated : 2016-10-26

The Management Commission of Parliament

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:

 

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 : 2016-12-08

 Female Population: 147,052 (2013)

·         Is Barbados a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (24 July 1980)

·         Has Barbados ratified CEDAW: Yes (16 October 1980)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 5 (following 2013 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 57 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A 

Gender equality-References:

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

- Blind and incapacitated persons are allowed to vote, if neccessary, with the assistance of an accompanying person. The voter makes an application to the Presiding Officer to be allowed on the grounds of blindness or other physical cause to vote with the assistance of a companion. The Presiding Officer requires the voter to declare orally that he/she is so incapacitated that he/she is unable to vote without assistance. Once the Presiding Officer is satisfied, the companion makes a written declaration that he/she has not assisted more than one blind or incapacitated person to vote. The voter is given the ballot paper and proceeds to vote. Representation of the People Act Cap. 12, Second Schedule, Rule 31(1), (2) and (3).

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:

 

Voter education

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

Continuously

 

Voter education-References:

 

National civic education

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

No

 

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 : 2016-05-03

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