2002 Czech Senate election
2002 Czech Senate election
Senate elections were held in the Czech Republic on 25 and 26 October 2002, with a second round on 1 and 2 November.[ 1] Voter turnout was just 24.1% in the first round and 31.7% in the second.[ 2]
The results saw the Civic Democratic Party emerge as the most successful party, winning nine seats. Independent candidates were also successful, winning eight seats. The parties of the former Four-Coalition were heavily defeated.[ 3]
Electoral system
One third of the 81-member Senate is elected every two years, giving Senators six year terms. The seats are elected in single-member constituencies using the two-round system .[ 4]
Background
Czech Social Democratic Party held 11 Seats in the elected part of Senate. Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party held second highest number of seats - 6. Both parties were part of governing coalition. Opposition Civic Democratic Party held only 5 Seats. Election was considered important due to 2003 Presidential election . Czech Social Democratic Party was considered front-runner of the election while the Civic Democratic Party was expected to be second strongest party.[ 5]
Composition of contested seats prior to the elections
Opinion polls
Date
Polling firm
ČSSD
KDU-ČSL
ODS
ODA
KSČM
US–DEU
2 November 2002
Result
7
1
9
0
1
1
7 October 2002
SC&C[ 6]
12
4
4
0
1
1
November 1996
Previous election
11
6
5
3
1
0
Results
Nominating party First round Second round Total seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Civic Democratic Party 165,794 24.88 0 284,537 34.60 9 9 Czech Social Democratic Party 122,397 18.37 0 224,386 27.29 7 7 Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 110,171 16.53 0 57,434 6.98 1 1 KDU-ČSL 58,858 8.83 0 47,049 5.72 1 1 Freedom Union – Democratic Union 48,879 7.33 0 36,294 4.41 1 1 SNK Union of Independents 44,112 6.62 0 45,096 5.48 2 2 Independents 27,533 4.13 1 23,812 2.90 1 2 Civic Democratic Alliance 8,846 1.33 0 0 Liberal Reform Party 7,592 1.14 0 20,069 2.44 1 1 Vote for the City 7,242 1.09 0 12,587 1.53 0 0 Path of Change 4,967 0.75 0 18,087 2.20 1 1 HNHRM 4,576 0.69 0 16,915 2.06 1 1 Your Vote 3,177 0.48 0 0 Right Bloc 3,044 0.46 0 0 Hope 2,858 0.43 0 0 Green Party 2,639 0.40 0 0 Party for the Open Society 2,576 0.39 0 0 United Democrats – Association of Independents 2,165 0.32 0 0 Active Independent Citizens 1,734 0.26 0 0 Balbín's Poetic Party 1,455 0.22 0 0 Rural Party – United Civic Forces 1,240 0.19 0 0 Moravané 1,181 0.18 0 0 Civic Coalition – Political Club 1,043 0.16 0 0 Moravian Democratic Party 532 0.08 0 0 Choice for the Future 496 0.07 0 0 Party of Common Sense 489 0.07 0 0 Conservative Party 480 0.07 0 0 Party for Life Security 352 0.05 0 0 Czech National Social Party 187 0.03 0 0 Democratic League 64 0.01 0 0 Independents 29,776 4.47 0 36,021 4.38 1 1 Total 666,455 100.00 1 822,287 100.00 26 27 Valid votes 666,455 98.91 822,287 95.89 Invalid/blank votes 7,366 1.09 35,204 4.11 Total votes 673,821 100.00 857,491 100.00 Registered voters/turnout 2,797,846 24.08 2,708,764 31.66 Source: Nohlen & Stöver, Volby
References