Nicaragua - Political and electoral system
Political and administrative structure
Divided politically and administratively into departments, autonomous Atlantic regions and municipalities. Comprised of 15 departments, 2 autonomous regions and 153 municipalities (Law N/1989, Art. 175).
National parliament
El Poder Legislativo lo ejerce la Asamblea Nacional por delegación y mandato del pueblo. La Asamblea Nacional está integrada por noventa (90) Diputados con sus respectivos suplentes, elegidos por voto universal, igual, directo, libre y secreto. También forman parte de la Asamblea Nacional como Diputados, propietario y suplente respectivamente, el Expresidente de la República y Exvicepresidente electos por el voto popular directo en el periodo inmediato anterior; y, como Diputados, propietario y suplente los candidatos a Presidente y Vicepresidente de la República que participaron en la elección correspondiente, y hubiesen obtenido el segundo lugar.
Municipal government
Each municipality is governed and administered by a municipal council - a deliberative, normative and administrative body. Municipal councils are presided by a mayor elected from among their members. Municipalities Law. Law No. 40/1988, Art. 18.
Duration of terms
Mayors and vice-mayors serve four-year terms. They may not stand for re-election to a consecutive term for the same position (Electoral Law, Chap. V, Art. 154).
Representation system
"Mayors and vice-mayors shall be elected by relative majority in each municipality." (Electoral Law, Chap. V, Art. 154). "The election of councilpersons referred to in the preceding article shall be carried out by municipal constituency, through proportional representation by electoral quotient, using the same greater-mean methodology employed for the election of departmental or regional representatives." (Electoral Law, Chap. V, Art.157).
Type of list
Closed lists in constituencies of variable size.
Electoral constituency
Uninominal for mayors, although councilperson lists are headed by mayoral candidates. Plurinominal for councilpersons.
Quota and parity laws
None.
Legal instruments applicable to municipalities
1987 Constitution; 1988 Municipalities Law and amendments enacted in 1997; Law on Regional Autonomy of Atlantic Territories (1987).
Electoral Justice
"The Electoral Branch shall organize, direct and supervise the election of the aforementioned authorities (....), as well as plebiscites and referenda, in accordance with the Constitution, relevant laws and the regulations enacted by the Supreme Electoral Council." Art. 2. http://www.cse.gob.ni