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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Political Rights and Association
- EnglishWhereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-
…
(d) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association,
… (Sec. 11)
Political Rights and Association
- English(1) Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to political parties or to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.
… (Sec. 21)
Electoral Bodies
- English(1) The registration of voters and the conduct of elections in every constituency or any matters that appear to the Commission to be incidental to or consequential upon either, shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Commission.
(2) In the exercise of its functions under this section, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. (Sec. 41C)
Electoral Bodies
- English(1) There shall be an Electoral and Boundaries Commission for Barbados (in this Part referred to as the “Commission”).
… (Sec. 41A)
Head of State
- English
(1) The executive authority of Barbados is vested in the President.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive authority of Barbados may be exercised by the President either directly or through officers subordinate to him.
... (Sec. 63)
Head of State
- English
(1) Whenever the office of President is vacant, or if the term of office of the President is due to expire within not more than ninety days, the Prime Minister shall consult with the Leader of the Opposition with a view to their joint nomination of a candidate for election as President.
(2) If the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition make in writing to the Speaker a joint nomination of a qualified candidate for election as President, being a nomination to which that candidate has consented, the Speaker shall notify both Houses of the joint nomination and, at a joint meeting of both Houses, shall ask the members whether any member has an objection to the candidate being declared duly elected, if no member objects thereto, the Speaker shall declare the candidate duly elected.
(3) If there is an objection under subsection (2) the Speaker shall not declare the candidate duly elected but shall suspend the joint meeting.
(4) The members of each House shall, immediately following the suspension, resume in their respective House and the presiding officer of each House shall put the question referred to in subsection (2) to a vote.
(5) Immediately upon announcing the result of the vote in each House, the joint sitting shall resume and the President of the Senate and the Speaker shall each announce the result of the vote.
(6) If the candidate receives not less than two-thirds of the votes cast in each House, the Speaker shall then declare the candidate duly elected.
... (Sec. 32)
Head of State
- English
(1) There shall be a President who shall be the Head of State.
... (Sec. 28)
Head of State
- English
A person is qualified to be nominated for election as President if he is a citizen of Barbados by birth or descent. (Sec. 29)
Government
- English(1) There shall be a Cabinet for Barbados which shall consist of the Prime Minister and not less than five other Ministers appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 65.
(2) The Cabinet shall be the principal instrument of policy and shall be charged with the general direction and control of the government of Barbados and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament. (Sec. 64)
Government
- English
(1) Whenever the President has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall, acting in his discretion, appoint the member of the House of Assembly who, in his judgment, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House.
(2) The other Ministers shall be appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, from among the members of the two Houses.
… (Sec. 65)