Argentina operates under a presidential system of government and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Argentina:
- Presidential Elections: Argentina’s President is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections occur every four years. A candidate must receive either an absolute majority of votes (over 50%) or at least 45% of the votes with a difference of 10% or more from the runner-up to win in the first round. If no candidate meets these criteria, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates.
- National Congress Elections: The National Congress of Argentina is the legislative body of the country. It consists of two chambers: the Senate (Senado) and the Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados). The Senate has three representatives from each province and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, totaling 72 senators. The Chamber of Deputies has representatives based on population, with a total of 257 deputies. Senators and deputies are elected through a proportional representation system.
- Electoral Process: The National Electoral Chamber (Cámara Nacional Electoral) is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Argentina. It ensures the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. Electoral campaigns are regulated by law, including campaign financing and spending limits.
- Voter Eligibility: Argentine citizens who are at least 16 years old have the right to vote. Voter registration is automatic for citizens aged 18 or older, while those aged 16 and 17 can choose to register voluntarily. Additionally, Argentine citizens living abroad can also vote in national elections.
- Election Results: The presidential candidate who wins either an absolute majority or meets the specified criteria in the first or second round is declared the winner and assumes the presidency. In National Congress elections, seats are distributed among political parties based on the proportion of votes received, with each party presenting candidate lists.
