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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso de la República / Congress of the Republic More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Senado / Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1979 - 1992 2005 - LEADERSHIP President Reinaldo Pared Pérez (M)  Notes Re-elected on 16 Aug. 2010. Secretary General Paris Goico (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 32 / 32 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 3 (9.38%) Mode of designation directly elected 32 Term 4 years Notes Under the new Constitution, which came into effect in January 2010, the statutory term of the Congress of the Republic remains four years. However, those members elected in 2010 will serve a six-year term in order to synchronize presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 2016. Last renewal dates 16 May 2010 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Senado Congreso Nacional de la República Centro de los Héroes SANTO DOMINGO (Export mailing lists) Phone (1809) 532 5561 Fax (1809) 535 1482 E-mail oai@senado.gov.do Website http://www.senado.gov.do/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso de la República / Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Senado / Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Last amendment: 21/12/1997 Mode of designation directly elected 32 Constituencies 32 single-member constituencies corresponding to the country's 31 provinces and the National District. Voting system Majority: Simple majority vote. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by substitutes chosen at the same time as titular members. Voting is complusory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years or married - Dominican Republic citizenship - disqualifications: members of the armed forces and police, irrevocable conviction for treason, espionage or conspiracy against the Republic, conviction for taking up arms or lending aid or participating in any attack against the country; right suspended in cases of irrevocable sentence to criminal punishment (until rehabilitation), legally declared judicial interdiction (while in effect) and acceptance, while in the country, of an office or employment from a foreign government without prior authorization from the executive branch CANDIDATES Eligibility - qualified elctors - age: 25 years - Dominican Republic citizenship - full enjoyment of civil and political rights - native of the territorial district where elected or residence therein for at least five consecutive years Incompatibilities - any other public office or position Candidacy requirements - nomination by a political party recognized by the Central Electoral Board; candidates are chosen by a convention of their party, which then submits these names to the competent electoral board - support by a political group which has an organization and a programme similar to that of a political party for independent candidates

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso de la República / Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Senado / Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 16 May 2010 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the Senate on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. At stake in the May 2010 elections were 183 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (up from 178) and 32 seats in the Senate. They were the first to be held under the new Constitution, promulgated by the joint session of the both chambers of the Congress of the Republic in January 2010. The statutory term of the Congress remained at four years, but those members elected in 2010 will serve a six-year term in order to synchronize presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 2016. In the previous elections held in May 2006, President Leonel Fernández' Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) won 96 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 22 in the Senate. The opposition Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) took 82 and 10 seats. Mr. Fernandez was first elected President in 1996, then again in 2004 and 2008. He pledged to construct an underground transport system in the capital, Santo Domingo, to ease traffic congestion. It became operational in January 2009. Mr Fernandez also enjoyed high popularity thanks to a stable economy. The new Constitution - drafted by President Fernandez and PRD leader Miguel Vargas Maldonado - was overwhelmingly adopted by both chambers of the Congress, with only 14 votes against. It provides for an indefinite re-election of the president, but stipulates that the president cannot serve consecutive terms. In all, 26 parties contested the 2010 elections. The PLD and its ally, the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) of Mr. Carlos Morales, were challenged by Mr. Vargas' PRD. The PLD ran on the government's record, arguing that voting for PLD candidates meant voting for progress and development. President Fernandez pledged to amend the country's legislation to bring it in line with the new Constitution that prohibits human trafficking. This was in response to the problems posed by the country's construction and agriculture industries, which depend on labour that is "imported", often illegally, from neighbouring Haiti. The PRD criticized the government for wasting money and failing to stem crime. It accused the PLD of misuse of State funds and massive vote-buying in the municipality of Samaná. The government declared public holidays from 15 May to midday on 17 May to facilitate voting, which took place on 16 May. In all, 56.44 per cent of the 6.1 million registered voters turned out at the polls. The elections were marred by violence, with five persons reportedly killed and 13 injured. President Fernandez condemned the violence. The Organization of American States (OAS) monitored the polls. It recommended more effective control over the use of State funds during elections. It added that ballot papers should be redesigned to facilitate vote counting. The ruling PLD and its allies swept 31 of the 32 Senate seats and the PRSC took the remaining seat. The PRD failed to win a Senate seat. The PLD and its allies took 105 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, while the PRD and its allies took 75. In all, 38 women were elected to the Chamber of Deputies and three to the Senate. The newly-elected Congress held its first session on 16 August and elected Mr. Abel Martínez (PLD) as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies while the Senate re-elected Mr. Reinaldo Pared Pérez of the same party as its President. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 16 May 2010 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 6'116'397 3'451'872 (56.44%) 139'895 3'311'977 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and its allies Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and its allies 31 Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 29 3 9.38% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: Junta Central Electoral de la República Dominicana (02.06.2010) http://www.jce.gov.do/PRENSA/tabid/74/Default.aspx

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso de la República / Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Senado / Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Senate Term - duration: 2 years - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution Appointment - elected by all the Senators - after validation of mandates - before Senators are sworn in Eligibility - any Senator can be a candidate Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - absolute majority in the first round, relative majority in the second round : in the event of a tie in the second round : lots will be drawn Procedures / results - the outgoing President, or the eldest Senator in the case of a newly elected Assembly, presides over the Senate during the voting STATUS Status - in the absence of the President, the Vice President can assume his/her role and functions Board - consists of the President, a Vice President and two Secretaries - elected for one year Material facilities NA (no information received) FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes extraordinary sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Senate - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates Special powers - is responsible for establishing the budget - heads up and oversees all of the Senate Departments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates, provided that he leaves his/her seat and does not resume it until the debate has ended

This page was last updated on 24 May 2011
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