Portuguese legislative election, 1822
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Parliamentary elections were held in Portugal on 22 November 1822.[1]
Electoral system
The elections were the only vote held under the 1822 constitution, which provided for a unicameral legislature.[2] Unlike in 1820, when an indirect system was used, members of the new 118-seat legislature were elected directly by secret vote according to the electoral law passed on 11 July 1822;[1][2] 111 were elected from multi-member constituencies (102 on the mainland and 9 on islands) with between three and six seats, with an additional seven single-member constituencies representing overseas colonies.[1][3]
A two-round system was used, with candidates needing to receive at least 50% of the vote in the first round to be elected; in the second round only a plurality was required.[3]
All men over the age of 25 were enfranchised except members of religious orders, servants, vagabonds and those still dependent on their parents.[2] Men who were married, serving in the military, had graduated from university or were part of the secular clergy were allowed to vote if they were aged 20 or over.[2]