| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| LEGAL FRAMEWORK |
| Electoral Law |
10 March 2016
Last updated: 9 June 2016 |
| Mode of designation |
directly elected 19 |
| Constituencies |
8 multi-member constituencies.
|
| Voting system |
Majority:
Dowdall system (a modified Borda-count system, applied to multi-member constituencies instead of single-member constituencies).
Each voter indicates his/her preferences by marking each box on the ballot paper with sequential numbers, placing a '1' next to their preferred candidate, a '2' next to their second preference and so on. Voters must rank their preference for all candidates listed on the ballot for their vote to be validated.
Every preference carries a value, and the value of all preferences is tallied. A first preference has the value of 1, and second preference is valued at 0.5, a third preference at 0.33 and so on. The total number of values of the various preferences for each candidate is tallied to calculate the total value of the votes they have received. In two-member constituencies, the two candidates with the highest total of votes calculated in accordance with the fractional value of each vote are elected. In the four-member constituency, the four members with the highest total of votes calculated in accordance with the fractional value of each vote are elected.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections.
Voting is compulsory. Failure to vote is punishable by a fine of AU$ 6. |
| Voter requirements |
- age: 20 years
- Nauru citizenship
- residence in the country |
| CANDIDATES |
| Eligibility |
- age: 20 years
- Nauru citizenship
- residence in the country
- ineligibility: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, sentence of death or imprisonment for at least one year.
|
| Incompatibilities |
Not applicable.
Article 31 (e) of the Constitution provides that a person shall be disqualified if he/she "holds an office of profit in the service of Nauru or of a statutory corporation, being an office prescribed by law for the purposes of this paragraph". However, no such law has been passed prescribing prohibited offices, so the paragraph has no effect. |
| Candidacy requirements |
- Non-refundable nomination fee of AU$ 500.
- Written nominations must be submitted at least 14 days prior to polling day, signed by the candidate and two or more electors of his/her district. |
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