Obligation
Right and Opportunity to Participate in Public Affairs
International and regional treaties protect the ability of citizens to participate in the public affairs of their country.[1] Women as well as men have the right to participate in the public affairs of their country. International treaties also explicitly protect the rights of people with disabilities and members of minority groups to participate in public affairs. State practice sources suggest that states have the obligation to respect the right of civil society groups (including citizen observer organizations) to engage in the political and electoral process, including granting accreditation to allow such activities.[2]
Observation: Regional treaties are clear that the participation of observers, both citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process and should be facilitated.[3]
Issues
- The Legal Framework for Electoral Systems and Boundary Delimitation
- Candidature
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Vote Counting and Tabulation
- Citizen Participation in the Boundary Delimitation Process
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of the Voter Registration Process
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Voter Education
- Provision of Voter Education by Civil Society and Political Parties
- Observation of the Campaign Period
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Voting Operations
- Election Observation
- Transparency in Electoral Management Body Decision Making and Procurement
- Access to Information and Electoral Documents
The Legal Framework for Electoral Systems and Boundary Delimitation
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Electoral System and Boundary Delimitation
There were clear legal provisions regarding the electoral system and boundary delimitation
- Electoral legislation should be made widely available to the public for review. [?]
Candidature
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Candidacy and Campaigning
Citizens were able to support any and all candidates of their choice
- Voters should be allowed to sign ballot qualification petitions for more than one candidate or party. [?]
Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Vote Counting and Tabulation
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Vote Counting and Tabulation
Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
- Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
If electronic voting systems were used, there was an open and comprehensive audit
- The audit system for electronic technologies should be open and comprehensive. [?]
Party agents and accredited observers were given copies of the protocols and tabulation sheets from the results center
- Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
The vote-counting process was transparent and observable
- Suspension or exclusion of participatory rights is prohibited except on grounds established by law and which are objective and reasonable. [?]
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
- Women have the right to participate in the public affairs of their country. [?]
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
- Candidates, party agents, and accredited observers should have access to polling stations. [?]
- Candidates and party agents should have access to polling stations. [?]
- Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
- The audit system for electronic technologies should be open and comprehensive. [?]
Citizen Participation in the Boundary Delimitation Process
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Electoral System and Boundary Delimitation
The boundary delimitation process was subject to independent scrutiny by civil society, candidates and political parties, or other groups
- There should be public participation in the delimitation process. [?]
- Candidates' agents should be guaranteed access to monitor all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
The right to participate in public affairs was protected, including during the boundary delimitation process
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
- Women have the right to participate in the public affairs of their country. [?]
- States should pursue policies encouraging the participation of the youth in public affairs and decision-making processes affecting them. [?]
Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of the Voter Registration Process
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Registration
Candidates and parties were able to monitor the elections and had access to the voter list without undue cost
- Candidates' agents should be guaranteed access to monitor all aspects of the electoral process, including voter registration. [?]
- Parties should have access to the voter roll without undue cost. [?]
Citizen observers were able to access and comment on all parts of the electoral process, including voter registration
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
- Women have the right to participate in the public affairs of their country. [?]
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
- Candidates' agents should be guaranteed access to monitor all aspects of the electoral process, including voter registration. [?]
- Observers should be permitted to follow all aspects and stages of an electoral process. [?]
Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Voter Education
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Education
Citizens were able to participate in public affairs through nongovernmental organizations
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
Observers, citizen and international, were given access to the voter education process
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
Provision of Voter Education by Civil Society and Political Parties
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Education
Civil society organizations participated in voter education
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
- Political parties, civic organizations, and international organizations may contribute to voter education efforts. [?]
- Media and information literacy education should be promoted to enable individuals to access, understand, and critically analyze information, including online. [?]
Political parties and/or candidates were permitted to provide voter education
- Political parties, civic organizations, and international organizations may contribute to voter education efforts. [?]
Observation of the Campaign Period
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Candidacy and Campaigning
Citizens were able to participate in public affairs through political parties and nongovernmental organizations
- Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
Election observers were able to observe the campaign process
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
- Candidates, party agents, and accredited observers should have access to polling stations. [?]
- Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
- Observers should be permitted to follow all aspects and stages of an electoral process. [?]
Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Voting Operations
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voting Operations
Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting
- The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
If electronic voting systems were used, there was an open and comprehensive audit
- Technologies should be introduced gradually, based on prior planning, testing, evaluation, and certification. [?]
Candidates and their representatives were able to observe polling and counting as means of protecting their right to be elected
Election Observation
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
Citizen observers were able to access and comment on all parts of the electoral process, including voter registration
- Observers should be permitted to follow all aspects and stages of an electoral process. [?]
Transparency in Electoral Management Body Decision Making and Procurement
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Election Management
The electoral management body ensured transparency in its decision making; for example, through open meetings and the use of public and competitive tenders
Access to Information and Electoral Documents
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Vote Counting and Tabulation
The electoral management body provided citizens with access to information throughout the electoral process
- Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]
Universal Suffrage, the Right to Vote, and Voter Education
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Education
The state took proactive measures to promote voting by the broadest pool of eligible voters and ensure votes cast were counted
- States should pursue policies encouraging the participation of the youth in public affairs and decision-making processes affecting them. [?]
The state took the steps necessary to give effect to rights during voter education
- States should pursue policies encouraging the participation of the youth in public affairs and decision-making processes affecting them. [?]
Campaigning Without Interference
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Candidacy and Campaigning
Citizens were able to participate in public affairs through political parties and nongovernmental organizations
- States should pursue policies encouraging the participation of the youth in public affairs and decision-making processes affecting them. [?]
Voter Eligibility and Barriers to Registration
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Voter Registration
Voter registration promoted universal suffrage
- States should pursue policies encouraging the participation of the youth in public affairs and decision-making processes affecting them. [?]
The Right to Vote, and Voting Operations
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
The legal framework for elections included guarantees of equality before the law
- The right to vote should not be restricted based on any perceived or actual disability and mental health status, including pursuant to an individualized assessment. [?]
Internet and Exercise of Rights Online
- Relevant Election Parts:
- Legal Framework
Internet freedom and the exercise of human rights online were protected. Restrictions imposed were based in law, proportionate, and necessary in a democratic society
- Internet freedom, including access to online resources and digital tools, should be protected as essential to the exercise of human rights online, with any restrictions based in law, proportionate, and necessary in a democratic society. [?]