The Czech Republic operates as a parliamentary republic and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in the Czech Republic:
- Parliamentary Elections: The Czech Parliament, known as the Parliament of the Czech Republic, is the country’s legislative body. It is a bicameral institution consisting of two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecká sněmovna) and the Senate (Senát). Members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected through a proportional representation system, while members of the Senate are elected through a two-round system in single-member constituencies.
- Chamber of Deputies: The Chamber of Deputies has 200 seats, with deputies elected to serve four-year terms. Political parties and movements field candidates, and voters cast their ballots for party lists. Seats in the Chamber of Deputies are allocated to political parties based on the percentage of votes received, with a 5% threshold for representation.
- Senate: The Senate of the Czech Republic has 81 seats, and senators are elected for six-year terms. In the Senate elections, candidates compete in single-member constituencies, and if no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
- Electoral Process: The electoral process is overseen by the Czech Statistical Office (Český statistický úřad). It is responsible for organizing elections, ensuring voter registration, conducting vote counting, and maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the electoral system.
- Voter Eligibility: Czech citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Voter registration is not required; all eligible citizens are automatically included in the electoral roll. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
The Czech Republic has a multi-party system, with several political parties competing for seats in the Parliament. The electoral system aims to ensure proportional representation and provide opportunities for diverse political voices to be heard.
