Suriname
National Assembly
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
25.05.2020
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
51
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
597
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
346
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
251
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
42.04%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
17
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
383,333
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
283,834
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
74.04%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
No party won an outright majority in the 51-member National Assembly in the 2020 elections. The Progressive Reform Party (VHP, led by former Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi) came first with 20 seats, winning four more seats than the National Democratic Party (NDP), led by President Desi Bouterse (see note 1). The VHP subsequently formed a four-party coalition (see note 2) in advance of the indirect election of the President by the National Assembly.
On 29 June, the newly elected National Assembly elected Mr. Ronnie Brunswijk (General Liberation and Development Party, ABOP) as its new Speaker. He thereby became the first Maroon (descendant of African slaves) to assume the post. On 15 July, the National Assembly elected Mr. Santokhi (VHP) as the new President of the Republic. Speaker Ronnie Brunswijk was elected as the new Vice President and was replaced as Speaker by Mr. Marinus Bee (ABOP).
The 2020 elections were held amid various corruption scandals and a partial lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many parties ruled out coalition with NDP.
Note 1:
In November 2019, a court convicted Mr. Bouterse over the executions of 15 opponents in December 1982 when he was the country's military ruler and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. No arrest warrant was issued.
Note 2:
The coalition included the VHP, the General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), the National Party of Suriname (NPS, led by Mr. Gregory Rusland) and the Pertjajah Luhur (PL, led by Mr. Paul Somohardjo) which jointly held 33 seats in total.
On 29 June, the newly elected National Assembly elected Mr. Ronnie Brunswijk (General Liberation and Development Party, ABOP) as its new Speaker. He thereby became the first Maroon (descendant of African slaves) to assume the post. On 15 July, the National Assembly elected Mr. Santokhi (VHP) as the new President of the Republic. Speaker Ronnie Brunswijk was elected as the new Vice President and was replaced as Speaker by Mr. Marinus Bee (ABOP).
The 2020 elections were held amid various corruption scandals and a partial lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many parties ruled out coalition with NDP.
Note 1:
In November 2019, a court convicted Mr. Bouterse over the executions of 15 opponents in December 1982 when he was the country's military ruler and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. No arrest warrant was issued.
Note 2:
The coalition included the VHP, the General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), the National Party of Suriname (NPS, led by Mr. Gregory Rusland) and the Pertjajah Luhur (PL, led by Mr. Paul Somohardjo) which jointly held 33 seats in total.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
6
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
35.29%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
39.22%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
4
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Progressive Reform Party (VHP), General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), National Party of Suriname (NPS), Pertjajah Luhur (PL)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| Progressive Reform Party (VHP) | 20 |
| National Democratic Party (NDP) | 16 |
| General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) | 8 |
| National Party of Suriname (NPS) | 3 |
| Pertjajah Luhur (PL) | 2 |
| Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP) | 2 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
36
Number of women elected
15
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
29.41%
Sources
National Assembly (25.06.2020)
http://www.verkiezingen.sr
http://www.chs.gov.sr/rc_images/verslag_chs_verkiezingen_25_mei_2020.pdf
AFP
BBC
https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com
https://today.caricom.org
http://www.verkiezingen.sr
http://www.chs.gov.sr/rc_images/verslag_chs_verkiezingen_25_mei_2020.pdf
AFP
BBC
https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com
https://today.caricom.org
Women Directly Elected
15
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
36
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
15
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
32
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
29.06.2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Ronnie
Brunswijk
(Male)
Political party
General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP)
Date of election
29.06.2020