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Saint Kitts and Nevis

Electoral political system

Political and administrative structure

An independent nation, part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Its form of government is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the British Monarchy, represented in the country by a Governor General. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Governor General based on their position as leader of the majority party or coalition in an electoral process.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into 14 administrative regions called “parishes,” with 9 on the island of Saint Kitts and 5 on Nevis.

National parliament

The National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis has a total of 15 or 16 members, 11 of whom are elected by simple majority vote in single-member constituencies, and 3 or 4 are appointed by the Governor General, generally 2 of them on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, and the third on the recommendation of the leader of the opposition. The President, usually someone from outside the Assembly, becomes an ex officio member of the Assembly.

Municipal government

The island of Saint Kitts is entirely administered by the national government and has no local forms of government. The island of Nevis has its own local government, which is part of the federation. The Nevis Assembly is a unicameral body composed of eight members, five of whom are directly elected from single-member constituencies and three appointed by the governor general: two on the recommendation of the prime minister and one on the recommendation of the leader of the opposition. The Assembly is presided over by the prime minister, who is appointed by the governor general through indirect elections.

Duration of terms

Prime Minister and National Assembly: five years.

Representation system

National Assembly: first-past-the-post system.

Type of list

Non applicable.

Electoral constituency

Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into 11 electoral districts or constituencies: 8 constituencies on the island of Saint Kitts and 3 constituencies on the island of Nevis.

Laws on parity and gender quotas

Does not have.

Legal instruments applicable to municipalities

The Constitution of 1983, and in the case of Nevis, Chapter X of the Constitution and the regulations of Nevis Island Administration.

Electoral Justice

The electoral management body has a mixed system. Electoral Commission (Article 33 of the Constitution of 1983).