Elections in Trinidad and Tobago
In today's world, Elections in Trinidad and Tobago has become a topic of general interest to many people. From its impact on society to its relevance in daily life, Elections in Trinidad and Tobago has captured the attention of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Whether due to its influence on popular culture, its importance in history, or its relevance in the scientific field, Elections in Trinidad and Tobago is a topic that calls us to reflect and explore deeply. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Elections in Trinidad and Tobago, analyzing its meaning, its impact and its evolution over time.
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 Trinidad and Tobago portal |
Trinidad and Tobago elects its House of Representatives (the lower house of its legislature) on the national level. The head of government, the prime minister, is chosen from among the elected representatives on the basis of his or her command of the support of the majority of legislators. The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 41 members, elected for a maximum five-year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 31 members: 16 government senators appointed on the advice of the prime minister, six opposition senators appointed on the advice of the leader of the opposition and nine so-called independent senators appointed by the president to represent other sectors of civil society. The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of the members of both houses of Parliament. Other elected bodies include the local government bodies in Trinidad (two cities, three boroughs, nine regional corporations) and the Tobago House of Assembly, which handles local government in the island of Tobago and is entrenched in the constitution.
Until 1925 Trinidad and Tobago was a British colony ruled through a pure, unelected Crown Colony system, although elected borough and municipal councils existed in Port of Spain and San Fernando. The first elections to the Legislative Council took place in 1925. Seven of the thirteen unofficial members were elected, six unofficials were nominated by the governor, and twelve official members sat in the Legislative Council on an ex-officio basis. The governor had the right to an ordinary vote and an additional casting vote, to break any tie. The franchise was determined by income, property and residence qualifications, and was limited to men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30. The 1946 elections were the first with universal adult suffrage, during which time there existed an even number of elected and unelected members (excluding the governor).
Latest elections
- 2019 Trinidadian local elections
- 2020 Trinidad and Tobago general election
- 2020 United National Congress internal election
- 2020 Tobago Council of the People's National Movement leadership election
- January 2021 Tobago House of Assembly election
- December 2021 Tobago House of Assembly election
- 2022 United National Congress internal election
- 2022 People's National Movement leadership election
- 2023 Trinidadian local elections
Upcoming elections
Tobago elections
See also
Further reading
- Adam Carr's Election Archive
- Vote Trinidad & Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago elections, KnowledgeWalk online
- Election Profile - Trinidad & Tobago, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
- Matthias Catón: "Trinidad and Tobago" in: Elections in the Americas. A Data Handbook, vol. 1, ed. by Dieter Nohlen. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005: pp. 627–646 ISBN 0-19-928357-5
- Kirk Meighoo: Politics in a Half Made Society: Trinidad and Tobago, 1925-2002, 2003 ISBN 1-55876-306-6
References
- ^ Julien, Joel (26 July 2010). "T&T goes to the polls again". Trinidad and Tobago Express. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
There are 14 municipalities comprising two cities, three boroughs and nine regional corporations up for grabs today. There are 134 electoral districts in all and a councillor has to be elected for each district.
