The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region. It operates as a representative democracy with a presidential system. Here is some information about the election system in the Dominican Republic:
- Presidential Elections: The President of the Dominican Republic is the head of state and is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections are held every four years. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure an absolute majority (50%+1) of the votes. If no candidate achieves this majority, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
- Legislative Elections: The Dominican Congress is the country’s bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate (upper house) and the Chamber of Deputies (lower house). Members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are elected through a proportional representation system. Seats in both chambers are allocated to political parties based on the percentage of votes received.
- Electoral Process: The Central Electoral Board (Junta Central Electoral) of the Dominican Republic is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in the country. It manages voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. The electoral process is designed to be transparent and inclusive, ensuring the integrity of the elections.
- Voter Eligibility: Dominican citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in presidential and legislative elections. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective voting districts.
The Dominican Republic has a multi-party system, with several political parties competing for seats in the Congress and the presidency. The country has a history of alternating between two major political parties, the Dominican Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, PRD) and the Dominican Liberation Party (Partido de la Liberación Dominicana, PLD), although other parties also play significant roles.
