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EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Cámara de los Diputados (Chamber of Deputies)

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlamento / Parliament
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de los Diputados / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1984 - 1992
2011 -
LEADERSHIP
President Gaudencio Mohaba Mesu (M) 
Notes Elected on 12 July 2013, re-elected on 12 Jan. 2018.
Secretary General Bienvenido Ekua Esono (M) 
Notes Re-appointed on 17 Sep. 2013.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 100 / 100
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 20 (20.00%)
Mode of designation directly elected 100
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 12 November 2017
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Cámara de los Diputados
B.P.51
MALABO
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (240) 333 09 25 39
222 24 20 23
Fax (240) 333 09 33 13
333 09 21 22
E-mail parlamento.guineaecuatorial@yahoo.es
Website

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de los Diputados / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 6 May 2012
(Law No.7 / 2012)
Mode of designation directly elected 100
Constituencies Multi-member constituencies corresponding to the country's administrative units.
Voting system Proportional: Closed party-list proportional representation system.
Political parties and coalitions contesting the election must surpass a 10 per cent threshold to win parliamentary representation.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - Citizenship of Equatorial Guinea
- Age: over 18 years old
- Full possession of civil and political rights
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - Be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea over 25 years of age.
- Be in full possession of one's civil and political rights.
- Be a native or have taken up residence in an electoral district and have been registered as living there in the census.
- Know how to read and write properly.
- Have been declared a candidate in accordance with the present Law.
Incompatibilities - Those subject to a sentence depriving them of their liberty, for the duration of the sentence.
- Even if the sentence does not involve imprisonment, those convicted of electoral fraud, rebellion, breaches of State security or attacks on the life, physical integrity or liberty of persons.
- Church ministers of any religion.
- Members of a political party other than the one for which they ran as candidates.
- Persons who, having opted for a foreign nationality, have not given up such a nationality as provided for by law.
Candidacy requirements Candidacy by registered political parties or electoral coalition.

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de los Diputados / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 12 November 2017
Timing and scope of renewal President Teodoro Obiang Nguema's Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies swept all but one of the seats in the 100-member Chamber of Deputies and all the 55 elected seats in the 70-member Senate (see note 1). President Teodoro Obiang Nguema , 74, in power since 1979, is one of the world's longest serving Heads of State. The Citizens' Party for Innovation (CI), led by former Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Nse Obiang Obono (see note 2), took the one remaining seat. The opposition parties denounced multiple "frauds" and "irregularities".

During the election campaign, the PDGE ran on the government's record, citing programmes on health and education. Military personnel were reportedly assaulted by CI militants. The President condemned the violence.

Note 1:
The statutory number of members of the Senate is 70: 55 directly elected and 15 appointed by the President. However, the Senate may comprise ex-officio members, whose number varies during the legislature. The total number of senators may thus be higher than 70.

Note 2:
The CI leader himself did not stand for election, after May 2017 court decision found him guilty of "gross insults" to the PDGE, and sentenced him to 6 months in prison. The court ruling also prohibited him from engaging in political activity for an indefinite period.
Date of previous elections: 26 May 2013

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 15 September 2017

Timing of election: Early elections

Expected date of next elections: November 2022

Number of seats at stake: 100 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: Not available.

Percentage of women candidates: Not available.

Number of parties contesting the election: 3

Number of parties winning seats: 2

Alternation of power: No

Number of parties in government: 1

Names of parties in government: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE)

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 12 January 2018

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Gaudencio Mohaba Mesu (Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, PDGE)
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 112 November 2017
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
325'555
273'502 (84.01%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies
Citizens' Party for Innovation (CI)
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies 98
Citizens' Party for Innovation (CI) 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
80

20

20.00%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Sources:
Chamber of Deputies (18.01.2018)
Acta de proclamación de los candidatos electos
http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/
http://www.africanews.com/

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de los Diputados / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
Appointment - based on lists presented by the political parties
- after validation of mandates
Eligibility NA (no information received)
Voting system - elected by acclamation or by secret ballot
- in the case of a secret ballot : absolute majority in the first round, relative majority in the second round
Procedures / results NA (no information received)
STATUS
Status - represents the House with the public authorities
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
Board - the Board is regulated by the Standing Orders
- consists of the Speaker, two Deputy Speakers, two Members and two Secretaries
- meets at the request of the Speaker
Material facilities NA (no information received)
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda within the framework of the Board
- can convene and chair 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 House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- 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
- The Board can :
* authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
Special powers - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House
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

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlamento / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de los Diputados / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senado / Senate
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 62 of the Fundamental Law of 16.11.1991, Rule 6 of the Rules of Procedure)
Start of the mandate · When the results are declared (Rules 2 (1) and 7 of the Rules of Procedure)
Validation of mandates · Validation by the Constitutional Court only in case of challenge (Art. 95 (d) of the Fundamental Law). See Loss of mandate.

End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends, that is on the day of new elections - or on the day of early dissolution (Rule 9 (1) No. 3 of the Rules of Procedure) (for early dissolution, see Art. 39 (p), 61 (1) and 66 of the Fundamental Law)
Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will (Rule 9 (1) No. 4 of the Rules of Procedure)
· Procedure (Rule 9 (2) of the Rules of Procedure): submission in writing to the President of the House through the Secretariat of the House, debate and decision of the plenary after opinion given by the Board of the House
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the plenary of the House of Representatives
Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter:
1. Decision of the plenary:
- Final court decision declaring the election or proclamation of a Representative invalid (Rule 9 (1) No. 1 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Final court decision declaring the Representative incapable of assuming the office of Representative (Rule 9 (1) No. 2 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Death (Rule 9 (1) No. 2 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Loss of mandate in accordance with Art. 54 of the Law Regulating the Legislative and Municipal Elections and Referenda, in conformity with Art. 62 of the Fundamental Law)
- Loss of mandate for indignity, with the consent of the House and at the request of the parliamentary groups or of at least twenty Representatives after hearing of the Representative concerned (Rule 9 (1) No. 6 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Loss of mandate for unjustified absence at three sittings without recognised reason and prior leave (Rule 9 (1) No. 7 of the Rules of Procedure)
- General procedure (Rule 9 (2) of the Rules of Procedure): decision by the plenary after opinion given by the Board of the House
2. Decision of the Board of the House:
- Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (Rules 16 and 49 (2) of the Rules of Procedure)
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy
Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport for the President and the First and Second Vice-President. The other Representatives receive official passports (Rule 10 (4) of the Rules of Procedure)
· Basic salary (Rule 11 (1) and (2) of the Rules of Procedure): CFA 325,000 ($ 542)
· No exemption from tax
· No special pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Official car for the President and the First and Second Vice-Presidents
(b) Security guards for the President
(c) Travel and transport when on official mission
(d) Others: social security (Rule 11 (3) to (5) of the Rules of Procedure)
Obligation to declare personal assets Yes
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 68 (1) of the Fundamental Law, Rule 17 (1) of the Rules of Procedure).
· Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament, during and after the exercise of the mandate (see also Rule 20 of the Rules of Procedure).
· Derogations: offence or insult (Rules 87 No. 1 and 90 of the Rules of Procedure, see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 68 (2) of the Fundamental Law, Rule 17 (2) of the Rules of Procedure).
· It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest and from being held in preventive custody, and from the opening of judicial proceedings against them.
· Derogations: in cases of flagrante delicto, the Representative can be arrested.
· Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal.
· Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 68 (2) of the Fundamental Law, Rule 17 (2) of the Rules of Procedure):
- Competent authority: the Board of the House
- Procedure (Rule 19 of the Rules of Procedure). In this case, MPs must be heard. They do not have means of appeal.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament can suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members (Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure):
- Competent authority: the President
- Procedure (Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure)
· In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament since their mandate is suspended (Rule 8 No. 5 of the Rules of Procedure).
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training · There is no training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs.
· There is no handbook of parliamentary procedure.
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings and other meetings (Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure).
· Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation:
- Loss of one or all the rights granted by Rules 7 to 11 of the Rules of Procedure (Rule 83 (1) No. 1 of the Rules of Procedure; see Discipline)
- Loss of mandate (Rule 9 (1) No. 7 of the Rules of Procedure)
· Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Loss of one or all the rights granted by Rules 7 to 11 of the Rules of Procedure: the Board
- Loss of mandate: the plenary
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Rules 8 No. 4, 14, 32 (1), 57 (2) and (5), 58, and 83 to 92 of the Rules of Procedure.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen:
- Interruption (Rule 57 (2) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Call to order, to the Chamber or to the public (Rules 57 (2), and 87 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Warning for irrelevance (Rules 57 (2) and 86 (1) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Withdrawal of the floor (Rules 57 (5), 86 (2), and 88 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Order to withdraw (Rules 84, 88, 89 (1), and 92 (1) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Suspension (Rules 8 No. 4, 84, 85, 89 (2), and 92 (2) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Loss of one or all the rights granted by Rules 7 to 11 of the Rules of Procedure (Rule 83 (1) No. 1 of the Rules of Procedure)
· Specific cases:
- Offence or insult (Rules 87 No. 1 and 90 of the Rules of Procedure): call to order, order to withdraw the words, deletion from the records, successive calls to order, order to withdraw, suspension for more than two sittings
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (Rules 32 (1) and 91 of the Rules of Procedure):
- Interruption, call to order, to the Chamber or to the public, warning for irrelevance, withdrawal of the floor, order to withdraw, offence or insult: the President
- Suspension: the President; the plenary, on recommendation of the Board or the Commission on the Status of the Deputy in the House
- Loss of one or all the rights granted by Rules 7 to 11 of the Rules of Procedure: the Board
· Procedure:
- Interruption, call to order, to the Chamber or to the public, warning for irrelevance (Rule 57 (2), 86 (1), and 87 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Withdrawal of the floor, order to withdraw (Rule 57 (5), 84, 86 (2), 88, 89 (1), and 92 (1) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Suspension (Rules 8 No. 4, 84, 85, 89 (2), and 92 (2) of the Rules of Procedure)
- Loss of one or all the rights granted by Rules 7 to 11 of the Rules of Procedure (Rule 83 (1) No. 1 of the Rules of Procedure)
- Offence or insult (Rules 87 No. 1 and 90 of the Rules of Procedure)
Code (rules) of conduct This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there are some relevant provisions (Rules 9 (1) No. 6, (2), 15 (1), 16, and 49 (2) of the Rules of Procedure).
· Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct:
- Loss of mandate (Rule 9 (1) No. 6 of the Rules of Procedure, indignity)
- Loss of mandate (Rules 16, and 49 (2) of the Rules of Procedure, incompatibilities)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Loss of mandate (indignity): the plenary, on recommendation of the Board
- Loss of mandate (incompatibilities): the Board
· Procedure:
- Loss of mandate (Rule 9 (2) of the Rules of Procedure, indignity).
- Loss of mandate (Rules 16, and 49 (2) of the Rules of Procedure, incompatibilities).
Relations between MPs and pressure group There are some legal provisions in this field (Art. 9 (2) of the Fundamental Law, Art. 3 and 17 (1) of the Law on Political Parties; prohibition to create parties based on certain criteria)

This page was last updated on 22 January 2018
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