Dominica

An independent nation and member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is a unitary constitutional parliamentary republic. The Head of State is the President, appointed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, and elected by the House of Assembly. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, designated by the President.

Dominica is divided into ten parishes.

The House of Assembly is a unicameral body with 32 seats. Of these, 21 are representatives elected directly by universal suffrage in single-member constituencies. Nine members are senators appointed by the President: five on the advice of the Prime Minister, four on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, plus two ex officio members—the Speaker of the House and the Attorney General.

There are five types of councils: (i) Roseau City Council (capital): 13 seats, 8 elected directly by residents and 5 appointed; the council chair is designated as Mayor; (ii) Portsmouth Local Council: same configuration as Roseau City Council; (iii) Canefield Urban Council: 8 seats, with 5 elected by residents and 3 appointed by the Ministry responsible for local governments; (iv) Village Councils: same configuration as Canefield Urban Council; and (v) Carib Council: administers the territory of the indigenous Carib people.

Presidency: five years; House of Assembly and Carib Council: five years; Roseau City Council, Portsmouth Town Council, Canefield Urban Council, and Village Councils: three years.

House of Assembly: single-member plurality system (first-past-the-post).

Not applicable.

House of Assembly: 21 single-member constituencies.

None.

Town Council Act 1937; Village Council Ordinance 1954; Carib Council Act 1978; City Council Act 1984; Canefield Urban Council Act 1984.

An independent Electoral Management Body separate from the Executive Branch: Electoral Office.