Summary
Highlights
Explanation of the 5-year legislative term, the definition of a single legislative year, and that elections for both the Parliament and the President are held simultaneously every 5 years.
Details on the conditions for early elections (renewing elections before the 5-year term ends). Both the Parliament and the President have the authority to trigger this, which results in both elections being renewed.
Under the 1982 Constitution, parliamentary elections can only be postponed for one year due to war, and the decision must be made by the Parliament itself.
Explains bye-elections, which are held to fill vacant seats rather than renewing the whole parliament. It covers strict rules, such as the 30-month waiting period and the prohibition during the final year of a term.
Discusses special circumstances such as a 5% vacancy rate in seats or situations where a province has no representation at all, which allow for emergency bye-elections.
Clarifies that MPs represent the whole nation, not just their constituency, and explains that the status of an MP is acquired via the Provincial Election Board's report, while the oath is required to exercise parliamentary rights.