SECTION 218

(1) Senatorial elections shall be a mixed single ballot, comprising a majority system and a proportionate representation system. (2) Every political party taking part in the election shall present a full list of 7 (seven) candidates selected from among its members. For each seat, there shall be a substantive candidate and his alternate, both of whom shall appear before the Electoral College at the same time. (3) The composition of each list must reflect: - the various sociological components of the Region; - gender aspects. (4) Where a list obtains an absolute majority of the votes cast, it shall be declared the winner of the elections, filling all 7 (seven) seats. (5) Where no list obtains an absolute majority of the vote cast, the list with a relative majority shall be awarded half of the seats to be filled rounded up to the next whole number, that is, 4 (four) seats. (6) In case of a tie among winning lists, the 4 (four) seats shall be shared equally among the said lists; where applicable, the remaining seat shall be awarded to the list with the highest age average. (7) After the sharing of the seats as stipulated in sub-sections (4), (5) and (6) above, the remaining 3 (three) seats shall be shared amongst all the lists, including those that obtained a relative majority in proportionate representation, following the highest remainder rule. List with less than 5% of the votes cast in the Region shall be excluded from the sharing. (8) Seats shall be awarded to candidates in the order in which they appear on each list. (9) Where several lists have the same average for the award of the last seat, the seat shall be awarded to the list having obtained the highest number of votes. Where there is a tie in the number of votes obtained, the seat shall be awarded to the eldest candidate.