Obligation
Periodic Elections
This obligation is generally understood to mean that elections must take place at reasonable intervals.[1] Any postponement of the election must be necessary because of the unique exigencies of the situation.[2] The obligation to hold periodic elections has been interpreted to mean that the interval between elections should not be unduly long, such that the authority of the government is no longer representative of the will of the electors.[3] Other sources, indicative of state practice, suggest that in most cases elections should be held between two and five years apart.[4]
Issues
The Election Calendar and Enjoyment of Rights
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
- Electoral System and Boundary Delimitation
- Election Management
- Voter Education
- Candidacy and Campaigning
- Voting Operations
- Vote Counting and Tabulation
- Electoral Dispute Resolution
The election calendar provided sufficient time for a review of the boundaries to take place as necessary
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
- The delimitation of boundaries should be reviewed frequently enough to ensure equal voting rights and account for population movements. [?]
- Review of boundaries should be conducted sufficiently in advance of the elections as to avoid instability. [?]
The election schedule provided adequate time for the registration of candidates and campaigning, as well as the resolution of any complaints prior to election day
- The electoral calendar should provide adequate time for campaigning and public information efforts. [?]
The electoral calendar allowed sufficient time for all aspects of the electoral process to take place, including vote counting
- Elections are to be held at periodic intervals. [?]
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
The scheduling of elections granted sufficient time for a complete and comprehensive voter education program
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
- The electoral calendar should provide adequate time for campaigning and public information efforts. [?]
An electoral management body implemented elections with adequate time to implement all parts of the electoral process
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
The electoral calendar included adequate time to implement all parts of the electoral process, including the electoral dispute resolution processes
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
The legal framework included a realistic electoral calendar that allowed adequate time to successfully implement all aspects of the election
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
The legislative calendar related to the development of electoral laws was published well in advance of deadlines
- The legislative calendar related to the development of electoral laws should be published well in advance of deadlines. [?]
The electoral calendar provided adequate time to prepare for and implement all aspects of the election process, including voting operations and election-day procedures
- The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
The legal framework provided for regular elections and should require that they are held within a reasonable time period after they are called.
Voter Registration and the Fulfillment of Human Rights
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Registration
There was adequate time for the voter registration process, including exhibition of preliminary lists and opportunities for challenges and corrections
- The voter register and its maintenance must be conducted within a realistic timeframe. [?]
Regularity of Elections
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
Elections have been held periodically
- Elections are to be held at periodic intervals. [?]
The period between elections was not unduly long
Postponement of Elections
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
The legal framework only allowed for temporary postponement of the election in times of declared public emergency
- Temporary postponement of voting processes due to a public emergency is permitted, but only to the extent required by the circumstances, provided that such measures are not contrary to a state's obligations under international law. [?]