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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
House of Representatives
ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Electoral system module

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral Law 1 January 1900
Mode of designation directly elected 41
other 1
Constituencies 41 single-member constituencies.
Voting system Majority: Single member plurality systems ("first past the post")
Vacancies arising within the first four years of Parliament's term are filled through by-elections held within 90 days.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: 18 years
- Trinidad and Tobago citizens
- residence in country for at least one year and in home district and for at least two months prior to poll
- disqualifications: insanity, electoral offence, sentence of death or imprisonment exceeding 12 months
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - age: 18 years
- Trinidad and Tobago citizenship
- residence in country for at least two years immediately before nomination or on election date
- ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State, undischarged bankruptcy, insanity, sentence of death or imprisonment exceeding 12 months, conviction for election-connected offence
Incompatibilities - certain public offices and posts connected with administration of elections
- the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House may not be a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary
Candidacy requirements - nomination by six or more registered electors of the constituency (district)
- deposit of TT$ 5000.00, which is reimbursed if the candidate polls at least one-eighth of the vote in his/her district

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