Electoral process Flashcards
What is a government?
A set of elected and appointed officials given the responsibility and authority to make laws and decisions on behalf of the citizens
What does politics involve?
- the activities of a government
- lawmakers and citizens in an attempt to gain power and influence governance structures
List the order of the electoral process (6)
- Polling day announced
- Candidates announced
- Nomination day announced
- Campaigning
- Voting
- Winners announced
Who approves the date of the election?
The president on the advice of the prime minister
What does it mean by “the parliament is dissolved”
All seats are vacant and all unfinished parliamentary business will be reviewed when the next government is formed and new members are sworn in
What is a political party?
An organization of people who share similar views and work together to get their candidates elected
How do political parties select a nominee to run for a constituency?
They host screenings and interviews
What are independent candidates and what can they choose to do?
Independent candidates are non-aligned and may choose to run against the main parties
Definition of constituency
A geographic area that sends an elected candidate to the House of Representatives
What is a constituent?
An individual voter/elector within an electoral district (constituency)
What’s the difference between a constituent and a constituency?
A ‘constituent’ is a citizen/member of the public who is represented by an elected representative/ government official. A ‘constituency’ is the district where constituents live.
How many constituencies are there in Trinidad+Tobago?
there are 41 constituencies
What is an elector?
A person who had a right to vote in an election
To be eligible to become an elector what do you neeeeed? (5)
- 18 and over
- A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago
- Have lived in the constituency for at least 2 months
- A commonwealth citizen who has lived in Trinidad and Tobago for at least one year
- Must have a national identification card
What is an ELECTORATE?
The electorate is all the people in the country who are eligible and registered to vote in an election
