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Article 81: Determining the Presidential Election Result

Chapter VIHigh

Constitution Text

“The candidate for the post of the President of the Republic who, during the first round of voting in which not less than half of all the voters participate, receives the votes of more than half of all the voters who participate in the election shall be deemed elected. If less than half of all the voters participate in the election, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes, but not less than 1/3 of the votes of all the voters, shall be deemed elected. If, during the first round of voting, no single candidate gets the requisite number of votes, the second round of voting shall be held two weeks later with the two candidates who have received the greatest number of votes standing against each other. The candidate who receives more votes shall be deemed elected. If no more than two candidates take part in the first round, and neither of them receives the requisite number of votes, a repeat election shall be held.”

Summary

This article sets when a candidate is deemed elected President. In the first round a candidate needs more than half of the votes cast, provided at least half of all voters take part. If no one reaches the required majority, a second vote between the two leading candidates is held two weeks later.

Key Points

  • •In the first round a candidate is elected if at least half of all voters take part and he or she receives more than half of the votes cast.
  • •If fewer than half of all voters take part, the candidate with the most votes is elected, but only with at least 1/3 of the votes of all voters.
  • •If no candidate reaches the required majority, a second round between the two candidates with the most votes is held two weeks later.
  • •In the second round the candidate with more votes is elected.
  • •If no more than two candidates ran in the first round and neither received the required number of votes, a repeat election is held.

Practical Example

Lithuanian presidential elections often go to a second round: when no candidate wins more than half of the votes in the first round, voters choose between the two leaders two weeks later.

Exam Tips

Remember three things: more than half of the votes in the first round, the 1/3 threshold at low turnout, and the second round two weeks later between two candidates.

Test Your Knowledge

Practice with questions about this article