Electoral Circuits of Panama: How Deputies Are Elected.

Panama's deputies to the National Assembly are elected by electoral circuits, a territorial division that sets how many seats are contested in each area and under what system. Understanding this organization is key to understanding the country's political representation. This guide explains it with the current figures.

Informational guide. The electoral organization is run by the Electoral Tribunal, an autonomous body of constitutional rank.

Single-member and multi-member circuits

Electoral circuits are of two kinds:

• Single-member: elect one deputy, by majority. They correspond to less populated areas.
• Multi-member: elect two or more deputies by proportional representation. They correspond to more populated areas.

Current figures (2024 elections)

The distribution of circuits for the May 5, 2024 general election was set by Law 299 of May 5, 2022:

• 39 electoral circuits in total: 26 single-member and 13 multi-member.
• Each circuit is identified by a province-circuit code; for example, 8-10 is the province of Panama, circuit 10.
• The magnitude of each circuit (how many seats it elects) is adjusted according to the latest National Census, hence the periodic reconfigurations.

The 2024 reconfiguration

Law 299 of 2022 introduced concrete changes from the prior election:

• Three circuits gained a deputy: 8-10 (to 5) and 8-1 and 8-5 (to 4 each).
• Three circuits lost a deputy: 8-6 (from 7 to 6) and 8-7 and 8-8 (from 5 to 4).
• Panamá Oeste, upon becoming a province, renumbered its four circuits from the "8" prefix (Panama) to province 13: 13-1 (Arraiján), 13-2 (Capira), 13-3 (Chame and San Carlos) and 13-4 (La Chorrera).

The role of the Electoral Tribunal

The Electoral Tribunal organizes, directs and oversees the process: it runs the Civil Registry and the electoral register, defines and updates the electoral geography, and proclaims those elected. The Electoral Prosecutor's Office pursues electoral offenses. The periodic review of circuits (so that each citizen's vote carries comparable weight) is part of its function.

Relacionado: Judicial circuits of Panama: districts, circuits and competence