• General elections are held every 3 years, on the 1st Saturday of March. Elections are held for Counsellors of the Community Councils, Counsellors of the Supreme Council and the Head of State (i.e. President).

 

• All Counsellors are elected for a term of six years. However, every 3 years only half of a council is elected.Therefore, on election day, the People elect only 6 Counsellors for their Community Council and only 6 Counsellors for the Supreme Council. 

 

• The People will elect the Head of State at every second Election (i.e. every 6 years)

 

• At election time (i.e. every 3 years), the Regional Electoral College (REC) will present each local community with 3 qualified candidates per available position. Using a yellow ballot paper, the People will number 3 boxes for each available position according to their candidate preference (i.e. 1 through to 3). The  candidate who scores the highest preferences will be elected to that position in the Community Council. (In the event a counsellor resigns or dies during term, the REC will appoint one of the remaining three candidates to the Council according to their votes polled or call for a by-election).

 

• At election time (i.e. every 3 years), the National Electoral College (NEC) will present the People with 3 qualified candidates per available position for the Supreme Council. Using a blue ballot paper, the People will number 3 boxes for each available position according to their candidate preference (i.e. 1 through to 3). The candidate who scores the highest preferences will be elected to the Supreme Council. (In the event a counsellor resigns or dies during term, the NEC will appoint one of the remaining three candidates to the Council according to their votes polled or call for a by-election).

 

• At election time (i.e. every 6 years), the National Electoral College (NEC) will present 3 qualified candidates for the Presidency. Using a white ballot paper, the People will number 3 boxes according to their candidate preference (i.e. 1 through to 3). The candidate who scores the highest preferences will be elected as President. (In the event the President resigns or dies during term, the NEC will appoint one of the remaining two candidates to the Presidency according to their votes polled).

 

• For each position (seat) in a Council or for the Head of State, a sitting candidate may be chosen for re-election provided s/he still meets the selection criteria.

 

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The Electoral College

The Electoral College comprises of one National Electoral College (NEC) and approximately eighteen Regional Electoral Colleges (RECs) (i.e. one for each region). All Electoral colleges report to the State Ombudsman.

Regional Electoral Colleges interviews applicants who wish to contest the seats in the Community Councils within the region. The National Electoral College interviews applicants who wish to contest the seats in the Supreme Council as well as for the Presidency. For each position, potential candidates must demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitude against the selection criteria for that position. (The selection criteria is stipulated in the constitution). The interview process is transparent and is accountable to the constitution and the rule of law. All candidates must be of good standing.

Every 3 years, the REC will present the People with suitable candidates for positions in their Community Council, 3 months prior to the election date. The candidates then have the opportunity campaign for their respective seats up to 3 days before the election.

Every 3 years, the NEC will present the People with suitable candidates for the Supreme Council, 3 months prior to the election date. The candidates then have the opportunity campaign for their respective seats up to 3 days before the election.

Every 6 years, the NEC will present the People with 3 suitable candidates for the Presidency, 3 months prior to the election date. The candidates then have the opportunity campaign for the presidency up to 3 days before the election.