Elections and Suffrage Overview

Elections

• A fundamental process of selecting government officials through the will of the electorate.
• Serves as a mechanism for political recruitment, government formation, power transfer, representation, and policy determination.

Types of Elections

• General Election: Simultaneous election for both national and local officials.
• National Elections: Elections for the President, Vice-President, and members of Congress.
• Local Elections: Elections for officials in regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities.
• Special Elections: Held on a date different from regular elections to fill vacancies or address specific issues.

Suffrage

• Right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens in national and local elections and on public issues.

Nature of Suffrage

• Privilege: Not a natural right, but a privilege granted by law with constitutional limitations.
• Political Right: Enables participation in the government, ensuring its legitimacy through the consent of the governed.

Scope of Suffrage

• Election: Choice of officials for fixed terms, granting them representational power.
• Plebiscite: Popular vote on proposed laws or enactments.
• Referendum: Submission of a law for ratification or rejection by citizens.
• Initiative: People propose and enact laws directly.

Political Party

• An organized and durable association aiming to place its members in government positions to advance its preferred policies.
• Differentiated from other associations by its goal of securing electoral or appointive wins for its personnel.
• Consists of individuals sharing a vision for the country, guiding their actions and policies.

Functions of Political Parties

• Contesting elections.
• Formulating policies.
• Forming government or opposition.
• Shaping public perception.

Characteristics of Political Parties

• Primary: Objective of controlling government power through member placement in decision-making roles.
• Secondary: Intention to utilize governmental power for purposes approved by its leaders and members.

Types of Electoral Systems

• One-party System: A single party dominates, holding near-exclusive control of government.
• Two-party System: Two major parties compete for power, with one usually in majority and forming the government.
• Dominant Party System: A party consistently wins elections with unlikely foreseeable defeat.
• Multiparty System: Several parties have the potential to gain control, either independently or in coalitions.

Political Parties in the Philippines

• Registered parties: Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, Lakas-CMD, PDP-LABAN, Nationalist People's Coalition, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, Akbayan, Philippine Democratic Socialist Party.
• Parties require registration with COMELEC, with chapters in a majority of regions, provinces, towns, and barangays.

Current Structure of the Electoral System in the Philippines

• Based on the 1987 Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code.
• COMELEC enforces election laws and oversees candidate qualifications, party accreditation, and vote canvassing.
• Three independent branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.
• President and Vice-president are elected separately through a direct, plurality vote (first-past-the-post system) for a six-year term.
• Senate: 12 senators elected every three years, with a six-year term.
• House of Representatives: 200 elected through district representation and 50 from party-lists on a proportional basis. The total number of representatives is 250, with the possibility of increasing based on population growth and constitutional provision.
• Party-list system: Closed list system where voters choose a party, seats allocated based on votes obtained (2% threshold, maximum 3 seats per party).
• Local Government Code (1991) governs local elections:
  • Punong barangay, vice mayor, mayor, vice governor, and governor elected through plurality vote.
  • Local assemblies (city and municipal councils, provincial board) elected by district through plurality vote.
  • Barangay assembly members elected at large.
  • Local government officials serve a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms.

Explore the fundamental aspects of elections, including their types and the concept of suffrage. This quiz outlines the processes involved in selecting government officials and the rights associated with voting. Test your knowledge on the electoral mechanisms that shape democratic governance.