Elections in Barbados are held to choose members to fill elective offices in the House of Assembly. Elections are held on Election Day. These general elections do not have fixed dates, but must be called within five years of the opening of parliament following the last election. A former minister of the DLP, Warwick Franklin summed up the general elections process in Barbados as saying it is really just, "30 by-elections on the same day." Barbadian election rules are bound by certain parts of the local Constitution, various other separate legislation, and other regulations or administrative rules, or Regulations made by the Commission. The politics in recent years are two-party, dominated by the centre-left Barbados Labour Party and the social-democratic Democratic Labour Party. Presently, it is difficult for other parties to achieve electoral success. Authority Elections in Barbados are the responsibility of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (E&BC) The E&BC is an independent body under the Prime Minister's Office (in his or her capacity as Minister of Finance.), which is responsible for the E&BC's actual financial administration. The E&BC is headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, and has five members/commissioners, who are chosen based solely on expertise. These members are chosen by both the prime minister and opposition, and can serve for a term of 5 years. Voting eligibility Voting in Barbados by law is voluntary, with registration for elections undertaken by the Election Management Body (EMB). The requirements for voter eligibility are the following : A citizen of Barbados, who is 18 years of age or older, and has resided in an electoral constituency for at least three months prior to the Qualifying Date. A Commonwealth citizen, 18 years of age or older, who has resided legally in Barbados for a period of at least three consecutive years and has resided in an electoral constituency for a least three months prior to the Qualifying Date. A Non-Commonwealth Citizen, who is 18 years of age or older, who has resided legally in Barbados for a period of at least seven years and has resided in an electoral constituency for a least three months prior to the Qualifying Date. Polling For an election to take place the President must formally issue a writ thus requiring an election be held. Shortly before Election Day, a card will be mailed to Constituents indicating the location of their polling station. To take part during