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Parliament name House of Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU No Affiliation date(s) LEADERSHIP President Hendrick Alexander (M)  Secretary General Nicole Herbert (F)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 22 / 22 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 4 (18.18%) Mode of designation Directly elected 15 Appointed 7 Notes Appointed members: appointed by the Governor General. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 7 December 2005 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address House of Assembly KINGSTOWN (Export mailing lists) Phone (1 784) 457 1872 Fax (1 784) 457 1825 E-mail svgparliament@vincysurf.com Website

Parliament name House of Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Mode of designation Directly elected 15 Appointed 7 Constituencies 15 single-member constituencies. Voting system Majority: Simple majority vote. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections or appointment within 90 days. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - British Commonwealth citizenship - ordinary domicile or residence in the country during the preceding 12 months - disqualifications: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, death sentence or imprisonment exceeding 12 months, allegiance to a foreign State CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 21 years - British Commonwealth citizenship - ability to speak and read the English language Incompatibilities - judges of the Supreme Court - public servants - persons having an interest in a government contract - members of the armed or police forces - ministers of religion (may at the same time be Senators but not Representatives) Candidacy requirements - support of six electors of the constituency - deposit of EC$500, reimbursed if candidate obtains at least 1/8 of the votes cast

Parliament name House of Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 7 December 2005 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all directly-elected members of the House of Assembly following its premature dissolution. General elections had previously been held in March 2001. On 7 December 2005, early elections for the 15 directly elected seats in the House of Assembly were contested by 34 candidates representing three political parties: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves' Unity Labor Party (ULP) with 15 candidates, minority leader Mr. Arnhim Eustace's New Democratic Party (NDP) with 15 candidates and and the newly formed Green Party, led by Mr. Ivan O'Neal fielding four candidates. In the previous elections held in March 2001, the ULP won 12 seats while the remaining three went to the NDP. During the election campaign, Prime Minister Gonsalves called on voters to support his party's record in government and his infrastructure projects, such as a new international airport, a cross-island road and a sports stadium. The opposition NDP presented a 90-page document entitled "The key to economic development - unlocking prosperity for all" which listed 14 targets aimed at creating an economy driven by technological innovation and entrepreneurship. The plan includes increasing GDP per capita to US 7,000 dollars, and raising the employment rate to 90 per cent in ten years. A total of 63.67 per cent of the 91,000 eligible voters turned out at the polls. The elections were monitored by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Both organizations concluded that the elections proceeded without major incidents or systemic irregularities. The ULP won a second consecutive term, retaining 12 of the 15 seats in the House of Assembly. The opposition NDP also maintained its three seats. The Green Party did not win any seats. The newly elected House of Assembly held its first session on 29 December 2005 and re-elected Mr. Hendrick Alexander as Speaker. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 7 December 2005 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 91'045 57'982 (63.68%) 342 57'640 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes United Labour Party (ULP) 15 31'848 55.26 New Democratic Party (NDP) 15 25'748 44.68 Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats United Labour Party (ULP) 12 New Democratic Party (NDP) 3 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 18 4 18.18% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Statistics above refer to 15 members directly elected. Among four members, two were elected and two were appointed. (House of Assembly, 13.01.2006) Source: http://www.gov.vc/govt/ELECTIONS05/reports/Summary.asp?cmd=resetall

This page was last updated on 27 January 2010
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