| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Asamblea Nacional / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| LEGAL FRAMEWORK |
| Electoral Law |
11 November 1812
Last amended: 11.01.2000 |
| Mode of designation |
directly elected 90
other 2 |
| Constituencies |
- 17 multi-member constituencies for 70 seats (from 2 to 19 seats each)
- one nationwide constituency comprising 20 seats |
| Voting system |
Proportional:
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. Each list must comprise 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women, ensuring that women and men candidates alternate throughout the list (a "zebra" system). This must apply to both titular and substitute members.
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 |
| CANDIDATES |
| 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. |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Electoral system module
