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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 Nacional de la República / National Congress of the Republic More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1979 - 1992 2005 - LEADERSHIP President Radhamés Camacho (M)  Notes Elected on 16 Aug. 2018. Secretary General Ruth Helen Paniagua (F)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 190 / 190 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 51 (26.84%) Mode of designation directly elected 190 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 15 May 2016 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) Congreso Nacional de la República Ave. Jiménez Moya esq. Paul Harris Centro de los Héroes SANTO DOMINGO (Export mailing lists) Phone (1809) 535 2626 ext. 3361, 3591 Fax (1809) 535 0390 E-mail rrii@camaradediputados.gob.do (International Affairs Department) pgalan@camaradediputados.gob.do (Mr. Pablo Valdez Galán, Coordinator, International Affairs Department) Website http://www.camaradediputados.gob.do/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso Nacional de la República / National Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 26 January 2010 (2010 Constitution) Mode of designation directly elected 190 Constituencies - 32 multi-member constituencies in the country (31 constituencies corresponding to the provinces and one to the National District). Each province is represented by no less than two deputies. One member is elected for every 50,000 inhabitants in the constituency. One further member is elected for each additional 25,000 inhabitants in the constituency. - 3 multi-member constituencies abroad. Voting system Proportional: - 178 members are elected under List Proportional Representation (List PR) from constituencies in the National District and provinces. - Five additional seats are allotted to the parties that obtained at least one percent of valid votes nationwide, preferably those that did not win any of the 178 initial seats. - In addition, seven members represent the Dominican community abroad, who also are elected under List PR. If vacancies arise between general elections, the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies chooses a replacement from among three candidates nominated by the party whose member vacated his/her seat. Voting is compulsory. 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 electors - 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 Nacional de la República / National Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 15 May 2016 Timing and scope of renewal President Danilo Medina, elected in 2012, led the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and its allies to a fourth consecutive victory in the 190-member Chamber of Deputies (see note 1) and the 32-member Senate. The Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), led by Mr. Andrés Bautista García, came second. The PRM was formed in 2014 by members expelled from the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), which was the second largest party in the 2010 elections. In the presidential elections, the incumbent President (see note 2) defeated Mr. Luis Abinader (PRM). During the election campaign, the major parties focused on measures to counter crime and address illegal immigration. Note 1: The May 2010 elections were held for 183 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (up from 178) and 32 seats in the Senate. In accordance with transitional measures in the 2010 Constitution, seven members representing Dominicans abroad were elected in May 2012. The number of members in the Chamber of Deputies has thus increased from 183 to 190. Note 2: The 2010 Constitution prohibited consecutive presidential terms. On 12 June 2015, the National Revisory Assembly, composing senators and deputies and tasked with reviewing amendments to the Constitution, adopted constitutional amendments to allow consecutive re-election for the presidency, as was the case before 2010. Date of previous elections: 16 May 2010 Timing of election: Upon normal expiry* *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 served a six-year term in order to synchronize presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 2016. Expected date of next elections: May 2020 Number of seats at stake: 190 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 1,423 (863 men, 560 women) Percentage of women candidates: 39.4% Number of parties contesting the election: 18 Number of parties winning seats: 10 Alternation of power: No Number of parties in government: 2 Names of parties in government: Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 16 August 2016 Name of the new Speaker: Ms. Lucía Medina Sánchez (Dominican Liberation Party, PLD) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 15 May 2016 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 6'765'245 4'708'746 (69.6%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) Liberal Reformist Party (PLR) National Alliance (ALPAIS) Christian People's Party (PPC) Broad Front (FRENTE) Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party (PQDC) Alternative Democratic Movement (MODA) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) 106 Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) 42 Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) 18 Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) 16 Liberal Reformist Party (PLR) 3 National Alliance (ALPAIS) 1 Christian People's Party (PPC) 1 Broad Front (FRENTE) 1 Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party (PQDC) 1 Alternative Democratic Movement (MODA) 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 139 51 26.84% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: Chamber of Deputies (14.07.2016, 17.08.2016) Junta Central Electoral (02.06.2016) http://www.ifes.org http://www.dominicantoday.com/ http://www.dr1.com/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Congreso Nacional de la República / National Congress of the Republic Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Chamber of Deputies Term - duration: 2 years - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution Appointment - elected by all the Deputies - after validation of mandates - before Deputies are sworn in Eligibility - any Deputy 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 Deputy in the case of a newly elected Assembly, presides over the Chamber 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 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 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 Chamber 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 NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 17 September 2018
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