Senate elections were held in the Czech Republic for the first time on 15 and 16 November 1996, with a second round on 22 and 23 November.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p471 the first after independence. The Civic Democratic Party emerged as the largest party, winning 32 of the 81 seats. Voter turnout was 35% in the first round and 31% in the second.Nohlen & Stöver, p472
This was the only time Senate elections were held in all 81 single-member constituencies at the same time. Senators elected in 1996 were divided into three classes depending on number of their constituencies to determine which Senate seats would be up for election in 1998, 2000 and 2002. Senators in the Czech Republic are elected for six-year terms, with one-third being renewed every two years.
The elections were held using the two-round system, with an absolute majority required to be elected.
Opinion polls Date Polling firm ODS ČSSD KSČM KDU-ČSL ODA SPR-RSČ Others/Undecided August 1996 IVVM 15.7 10.4 3.0 2.6 1.5 0.9 65.9 September 1996 IVVM 38.4 21.0 15.3 8.4 6.6 2.3 8.0 October 1996 IVVM 34.6 25.7 12.3 11.2 8.6 1.1 6.6 November 1996 IVVM 40.8 24.1 11.8 9.9 8.0 1.6 3.8
Results
References