Dimension: 7.1.1 Voting and election rights
This dimension concerns the provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework that establish the basis for democratic elections.
The constitution establishes fundamental electoral principles such as the electoral system, universal suffrage, the frequency of elections and the use of secret ballots.
Electoral law addresses issues related to election management, such as the composition of the administration, boundary delimitation and other procedural matters, as well as fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and access to information during the electoral process. The stability of electoral law is important for the credibility of the electoral process.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Constitution and/or legal framework
The constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework establish fundamental electoral principles. These provisions are clear, consistent and unambiguous and are in line with international electoral standards.
No 2: Stability of electoral law
Changes to electoral law are made in a timely manner and at least one year in advance of any elections.
No 3: Practice
In practice, elections take place regularly. A significant proportion of citizens participate in these elections. Elections are competitive and citizens’ fundamental rights are respected before, during and after election day.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework establishing the electoral system, the frequency of elections and the use of secret ballots
- Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework guaranteeing universal and equal suffrage for all citizens above a certain age
- Details of adaptations for specific groups in society, such as accessible polling stations and electoral materials translated into minority languages
- Relevant provisions of electoral law
- Provisions of the legal framework establishing effective mechanisms and remedies for violations of voting rights
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Sources and further reading
- European Commission for Democracy Democracy The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is held either by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. Also, a basic right of citizenship to be exercised under conditions of freedom, equality, transparency and responsibility, with due respect for the plurality of views, and in the interest of the polity. through Law Law A body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by a controlling authority (usually passed by parliament), which has a binding legal force and must be obeyed and followed by citizens, subject to sanctions or legal consequences. Also, the whole body of binding customs, practices or rules of a community prescribed or formally recognized and enforced by a controlling authority. See also: Act of parliament, Bill, Law-making Law-making The legislative process or the act of legislating, i.e. the process by which laws are made. See also: Act of parliament, Law and Legislation Legislation A law or a set of laws that have been passed by parliament. The word is also used to describe the act of making a new law. See also: Act of parliament, Law and Law-making. . and Legislation Legislation A law or a set of laws that have been passed by parliament. The word is also used to describe the act of making a new law. See also: Act of parliament, Law and Law-making. . (Venice Commission), Code of good practice in electoral matters: Guidelines and explanatory report (2002).
- Guy S. Goodwin-Gill, Free and Fair Elections: New expanded edition (2006).
- International Institute for Democracy Democracy The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is held either by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. Also, a basic right of citizenship to be exercised under conditions of freedom, equality, transparency and responsibility, with due respect for the plurality of views, and in the interest of the polity. and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), International Electoral Standards: Guidelines for reviewing the legal framework of elections (2002).
- International IDEA, Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook (2007).
- International IDEA, Electoral Justice: The International IDEA Handbook (2010).
- International IDEA, Electoral Management Design: Revised Edition (2014).
- International IDEA, International Obligations for Elections: Guidelines for Legal Frameworks (2014).
- International IDEA, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Stockholm University, Atlas of Electoral Gender Quotas (2013).
- IPU, “Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections”, adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Council at its 154th session (1994).
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), International Standards and Commitments on the Right to Democratic Elections: A Practical Guide to Democratic Elections: Best Practice (2002).
- United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Human Rights and Elections: A Handbook on the Legal, Technical and Human Rights Aspects of Elections (1994).
Get help with this assessment
The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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