NICARAGUA

This page contains the complete text of PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary Chamber or unicameral Parliament

GENERAL INFORMATION

Parliament (generic name):

Asamblea Nacional

Translated name:

National Assembly

Structure:

Unicameral

Chamber:

Asamblea Nacional

Translated name:

National Assembly

President:

René Núñez Téllez ( M)

Secretary General:

Ramón Cabrales ( M)

Members (statutory number):

members
- 90 directly elected
- 1 seat reserved for the runner-up in the presidential election
1 seat reserved for the immediate past president

Members (current number):

Women (current number):

17 ( 18.48%)

Term:

5 years

Last renewal dates:

5 November 2006

Address:

Asamblea Nacional
MANAGUA
Tel.: (5052) 76 84 72, 76 84 82
Fax: (5052) 28 10 21
Cable: Asamblea Nacional, Managua

Web site:

http://www.asamblea.gob.ni

Affiliation to IPU:

Yes

Affiliation date(s):

1965 - 1979
1981

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Electoral Law:

11 November 1812

Last amended: 11.01.2000

Constituencies:

- 17 multi-member constituencies for 70 seats (from 2 to 19 seats each)
- one nationwide constituency comprising 20 seats

Voting System:

Proportional representation, with closed party lists using a national or departmental/regional quotient, depending on the seat. There is no threshold to win a seat.
Each political party or alliance presents a list of candidates in all constituencies.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by substitutes elected at the same time as titular members of the legislature.
Voting is not compulsory. It is compulsory to be on the voters' register.

Voter requirements:

- age: 16
- Nicaraguan citizenship, including naturalized citizens
- residence in the country at the time of the election
- citizens overseas can vote under certain conditions
- full possession of civil and political rights

Disqualifications:
- imprisonment
- conviction for treason, criminal offence, bribery, electoral offence
The above disqualifications are valid while the sentence is being served.
- insanity/mental illness
- undocumented immigrants

Eligibility:

- qualified electors
- age: 21
- Nicaraguan citizenship by birth
- full possession of civil and political rights

Ineligibilities:
- imprisonment
- conviction for treason, criminal offence, bribery, electoral offence
The above disqualifications are valid while the sentence is being served.
- insanity/mental illness
- undocumented immigrants
- executives and members of the Electoral Commission

Incompatibilities:

- government ministers and deputy ministers
- members of the Supreme Court and the judiciary
- judges on the Supreme Electoral Council
- members of the Comptroller General's Office
- the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General
- the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General for Human Rights
- the Director and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions
- mayors, unless they resign their positions twelve months before the election.
- ministers of any religion, unless they resign their office at least twelve months before the election
- members of the armed forces on active service
- government contractors

Candidacy requirements:

- nomination by a registered political party
- no limit to the number of candidates political parties can submit
- the names of substitute members must be submitted at the same time as those of titular members
- deposit amount and reimbursement: for political parties: the State allocates 1 per cent of the general State budget for reimbursement of the campaign expenses of political parties having obtained at least 4 per cent of the valid votes cast.

LAST ELECTIONS

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber

Dates of election / renewal (from/to):

5 November 2006

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats in the National Assembly on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.

Background and outcome of elections:

Parliamentary elections were held at the same time as presidential elections, on 5 November 2006.

In the last elections, in 2001, the main conservative party, the Liberal and Constitutional Party (PLC) of Mr. Enrique Bolaños, obtained the most seats in parliament. Its main rival was the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) led by Mr. Daniel Ortega, who had been President from 1985 to 1990. Mr. Enrique also defeated Mr. Ortega in the 2001 presidential elections.

The bi-partisan system was challenged when former finance minister Eduardo Montealegre Rivas split from the PLC and formed the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) with other PLC members. The new party opposed to former President Arnoldo Alemán's continued control of the PLC even after his conviction for misuse of State funds in December 2003.

The main issue in the 2006 elections was the economy and how to deal with poverty in one of the poorest countries in the Americas, where over 80 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars per day. The media focused on the presidential candidates' programmes. Mr. Ortega (FSLN), who was running for President for the fourth time, pledged to end "unbridled capitalism" while increasing foreign investment to reduce poverty. His plan included establishing development banks for agriculture and small businesses.

The conservative camp was deeply divided. The PLC endorsed former Vice-President José Rizo as its presidential candidate, and pledged to promote employment in the country by favouring rural development. The ALN candidate, Mr. Montealegre, promised to enhance the country's involvement in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). He also pledged to create more jobs in the country in order to prevent emigration. Mr. Montealegre received the backing of outgoing President Bolaños (PLC), while some PLC candidates publicly supported the ALN.

The Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), founded by former FSLN members in 1995, was led by Mr. Edmundo Jarquín, following the death of former leader Herty Lewites in July 2006. The new MRS leader promised to build 10,000 houses per year.

66.73 per cent of the 3.6 million registered voters turned out at the polls, which were monitored by about 17,000 observers. The 150-member EU Observer Mission reported that the elections were generally "peaceful, competitive and adequately administered".

In the elections to the National Assembly, the FSLN came in first with 38 seats, while the PLC won 25. The ALN finished third with 22 seats, and five seats went to the MRS (see note). On 22 November 2006, the Supreme Court confirmed Mr. Ortega's victory in the presidential elections, ahead of Mr. Montealegre.

The new National Assembly held its first session on 10 January 2007 and elected Mr. René Núñez Téllez of the FSLN as its new Speaker for a two-year term. Mr. Ortega was sworn in as President of the country on the same day.

Note
In addition to 90 elected members, one seat is reserved for the runner-up in the presidential election, and a second seat goes to the immediate past President of the country. The ALN candidate, Mr. Montealegre, and outgoing President Bolaños therefore became members of the National Assembly.

STATISTICS


Round no 1 (5 November 2006): Election results

Number of registered electors		3'665'141
Voters		2'445'692 (66.73%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers		208'000
Valid votes		2'237'692

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group

Candidates

Votes

% of votes

Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)

840'851

37.59

Liberal and constitutionalist party (PLC)

592'118

26.47

Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN)

597'709

26.72

Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS)

194'416

8.69


Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group	Total of seats	Number of women
Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)	38	12
Liberal and constitutionalist party (PLC)	25	2
Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN)	22	2
Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS)	5	1

Comments:

Source: National Assembly (07.12.2006, 13.03.2007)

Note on the "Distribution of seats":
The "Distribution of seats" above refers to the 90 directly elected members. The "Distribution of seats according to sex" below includes the two non-elected members.

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men:

Women:

Percent of women:

18.48

Distribution of seats according to age:

Distribution of seats according to profession:

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENT

APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE

Title:

President of the National Assembly

Term:

- duration: 1 year, renewable (elected on 9 January)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly

Appointment:

- elected by all Members of the Assembly on 9 January every year, following the validation of mandates and swearing-in

Eligibility:

- any member may be a candidate

Voting system:

- formal vote by public ballot and absolute majority, in 2 rounds if necessary

Procedures / results:

- the Junta Directiva Provisional, which consists of the 2 oldest Members and the 2 youngest, presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Junta Directiva Provisional supervises the voting
- the Junta Directiva Provional announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged

STATUS

Status:

- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the President, the first Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions

Board:

- the Junta Directiva consists of 6 Members elected for the same period as the President
- it meets at least once a week
- it exercises a collegial presidency

Material facilities:

- allowance
- official car
- secretariat
- bodyguards

FUNCTIONS

Organization of parliamentary business:

- convenes 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
- examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting-up of such committees

Chairing of public sittings:

- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- 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
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly

Special powers:

- appoints the Clerk
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber

Speaking and voting rights, other functions:

- takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- can have laws published
- may be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.)

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Nature of the mandate:

Start of the mandate:

Validation of mandates:

End of the mandate:

Can MPs resign ?

Yes

Can MPs lose their mandate ?

Yes

STATUS OF PARLIAMENT MEMBERS

Rank in hierarchy:

Indemnities, facilities and services:

Obligation to declare personal assets:

Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability:

Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability:

EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE

Training:

Participation in the work of the Parliament:

Discipline:

Code (rules) of conduct:

Relations between MPs and pressure group:

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber