Elections and Suffrage Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum population required for a city to have at least one representative in the House of Representatives?

300,000

150,000

200,000

250,000 (correct)

How often must Congress reapportion legislative districts following a census?

Within three years after each census (correct)

Every five years

Every year

Every two years

What type of electoral system is used for electing the punong barangay?

Proportional representation

Two-round system

Ranked voting

Plurality vote (correct)

According to the Local Government Code, how many consecutive three-year terms can local government officials serve?

Three terms Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the local assembly elections is accurate?

Members are elected by district through a plurality vote. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of elections in a government system?

To fill government offices through choices made by the electorate Signup and view all the answers

Which type of election is specifically designed to elect the President, Vice-President, and members of congress?

National Elections Signup and view all the answers

How is suffrage defined in a political context?

The right and obligation to vote by qualified citizens Signup and view all the answers

What is the major difference between a plebiscite and a referendum?

A plebiscite involves direct voting on proposed laws, while a referendum is about ratifying laws already passed Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the nature of suffrage?

Suffrage is a privilege not permanently guaranteed to citizens Signup and view all the answers

What is an initiative in the context of political processes?

A process where citizens propose and enact laws directly Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of election as defined?

Regional Election Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of elections in determining government policy?

To reflect the will of the electorate through elected representatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the deadline for filing a certificate of candidacy for national elections?

One day prior to the campaign period Signup and view all the answers

How many voters is each election precinct allowed to have at most?

300 voters Signup and view all the answers

When is the registration of voters held for those turning 18?

On the 5th Saturday before the election Signup and view all the answers

What authority does the COMELEC have regarding common poster areas?

To establish designated areas for campaign posts Signup and view all the answers

How many watchers are entitled to each political party in each polling place?

One watcher Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of a political party?

To contest elections Signup and view all the answers

What body is constituted in every province, city, and municipality for canvassing votes?

Board of Canvassers Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic that defines a political party?

Their ability to secure government positions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of a political party?

To control the exercise of governmental powers Signup and view all the answers

Which electoral system is characterized by the dominance of two major political parties?

Two-party system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a one-party system?

North Korea Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a dominant party system from other types?

A category of political organizations winning elections successively Signup and view all the answers

In which electoral system do parties compete on relatively equal terms?

Multiparty system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following political party systems is least likely to face challenges to its dominance?

Dominant party system Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of a two-party system?

Majority party typically holds power in the legislature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parties is not mentioned as one of the largest in Congress?

Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for both the president and the vice president in the Philippines?

Six years Signup and view all the answers

How are candidates for the House of Representatives elected through party lists?

By voting for the party as a whole Signup and view all the answers

What is required for political parties to register with the COMELEC?

A verified petition with attachments Signup and view all the answers

What governs the allocation of seats for the party-list representatives in the House of Representatives?

A maximum of three seats per party based on the Party-List Act Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options describes the election method used for electing senators in the Philippines following the 1995 elections?

Direct voting with a six-year term Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the COMELEC in the Philippine electoral system?

To enforce election laws and oversee candidate qualifications Signup and view all the answers

In the elections of 1992, how did the term structure work for newly elected senators?

The first 12 served for six years while the remaining 12 served for three years Signup and view all the answers

How many members of the House of Representatives in the Philippines are elected through district proportional representation?

200 members Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

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.