Election Obligations & Standards Database

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Election Part

Electoral Dispute Resolution

The credibility of the electoral process is determined to a large degree by the capacity of the state to effectively resolve electoral disputes. Challenges to election results, or the conduct of elections, should not be considered a weakness of the electoral system but a sign of its resilience. Electoral dispute resolution mechanisms vary greatly country by country, based largely on historical and political context. They can include formal judicial proceedings or more informal alternative dispute resolution procedures. While this section of the database addresses obligations related to electoral dispute resolution processes, it is important to note that dispute resolution and the right to remedy regarding other parts of the electoral process are included in previous sections. Therefore, to get a full picture of the obligations and issues related to dispute resolution it is necessary to cross-reference this section with other parts of the database.

Relevant Obligations

Key

  • Macro-Level Obligation
  • Foundational Obligations
  • Individual Rights and Freedoms
  • Process-Focused Obligations

Issues

    The Legal Framework and Dispute Resolution

    • Key Obligations:
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
    • Rule of Law

    Electoral dispute resolution took place in accordance with the principles of the rule of law

    • All are equal before the law, and laws should be equally enforced. [?]
    • Laws must be consistent with international human rights. [?]
    • States have a duty to protect the fundamental human rights of all within their jurisdiction. [?]
    • States should take measures to promote the principles of the rule of law. [?]
    • Laws and procedures must not be arbitrarily applied. [?]

    Laws and procedures were not arbitrarily applied

    • Laws and procedures must not be arbitrarily applied. [?]
    • Suspension or exclusion of participatory rights is prohibited except on grounds established by law and which are objective and reasonable. [?]

    The law was clear regarding legal standing for electoral disputes

    • States must ensure that, in regard to human rights violations, individuals, groups of individuals, and non-governmental organizations have standing before judicial bodies. [?]
    • The law should clearly state who has standing to file an election dispute. [?]

    The state implemented sanctions against those who violated the electoral law

    • Effective implementation of electoral law requires sanctions against the infringement of electoral law. [?]
    • Where a violation is found to have occurred states have a duty to punish those guilty of the violation. [?]
    • The state has a duty to punish cases of electoral fraud. [?]

    The Election Calendar and Enjoyment of Rights

    • Key Obligations:
    • Periodic Elections
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights

    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. [?]
    • States must take the steps necessary to give effect to human rights. [?]

    Freedom from Discrimination and Electoral Dispute Resolution

    • Key Obligations:
    • Freedom from Discrimination and Equality Before the Law

    Everyone was treated equally before the law and courts

    • Equality before the courts includes equality in arms and equal access to the courts. [?]
    • The guarantee to equality before the courts extends to judicial bodies entrusted with any judicial task (including customary and religious courts). [?]
    • Fees that de facto prevent access to the courts may violate the obligation of equal access to the courts. [?]
    • Procedures for the filing and adjudication of disputes must be understandable and easily accessible to all parties. [?]

    The electoral dispute resolution process did not discriminate on the basis of prohibited grounds

    • Discrimination must not be practiced based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity and expression, migrant, refugee, repatriate, stateless or internally displaced status, genetic trait, mental or physical health condition, including infectious contagious condition and debilitating psychological condition, or other status at any time. [?]
    • The state must perform both its "negative duty" to refrain from discrimination and its "positive duty" to prevent discrimination. [?]
    • All are equal before the law, and laws should be equally enforced. [?]

    Transparent Dispute Resolution Process

    • Key Obligations:
    • Transparency and Access to Information
    • Right to a Fair and Public Hearing

    The state proactively put in the public domain government information of public interest

    • States should proactively put in the public domain government information of public interest. [?]

    Complaints processes were transparent, and the opportunity to present evidence in support of a complaint existed

    • Proceedings on complaints and appeals must be transparent. [?]
    • The opportunity should exist to present evidence in support of a complaint. [?]

    Parties to the complaints had access to factual information regarding the alleged violations

    • An effective remedy requires access to the factual information concerning the violations. [?]

    Potential complainants were informed of the means of filing a complaint and the timeframe of its resolution

    • Complainants should be informed of the means by which to file a complaint and the timeframe for its resolution. [?]

    The judgments, findings, and evidence of judicial proceedings, and legal reasoning for judgments, were made public

    • The judgment, findings, and evidence of judicial proceedings and legal reasoning of the judgment must be made public except in cases involving juveniles and/or matrimonial disputes. [?]

    Transparency and access to information were respected during the dispute resolution process

    • Everyone has the right to seek and receive information. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of national security. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of territorial integrity. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of public safety. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting the reputation and rights of others. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting personal data. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of preventing crime or disorder. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence. [?]
    • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including when an expression seeks to destroy other established rights. [?]
    • The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]

    Right to a Fair and Public Hearing by an Impartial and Independent Tribunal

    • Key Obligations:
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
    • Right to a Fair and Public Hearing

    The legal framework provided the right for a fair and public hearing by a competent, impartial, and independent tribunal in the determination of rights

    • Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, impartial, and independent tribunal in determination of his/her rights. [?]
    • The notion of fair trial includes the guarantee of a fair and public hearing. [?]
    • A fair trial entails the absence of influence. [?]
    • The right to a public hearing must be protected except for specific and objective reasons as determined by law. [?]
    • The obligation for a public hearing does not necessarily apply to appellate proceedings. [?]
    • The right to appeal is not guaranteed in the determination of a suit at law. [?]
    • In the determination of suits at law the independence and impartiality of tribunals is an absolute right. [?]
    • Any body that meets the criteria of impartiality and independence can be considered a tribunal. [?]
    • A situation in which the executive and the judiciary are not clearly distinguishable is incompatible with the notion of an independent and impartial tribunal. [?]
    • Independence of the judiciary requires proper procedures detailing appointment, term limits, security, and remuneration. [?]
    • Impartiality requires that judges act without bias, and that the tribunal appears unbiased to the reasonable observer. [?]
    • States should protect the independence of the judiciary. [?]

    Misuse of State Resources

    • Key Obligations:
    • Prevention of Corruption

    The electoral management body maintained and implemented policies to prevent, address, and penalize acts of corruption, including during the voting process

    • A designated independent body should oversee compliance with regulations against misuse of public resources and of official position. [?]

    The state acted to investigate and address violations of rights. It provided appropriate judicial and administrative means for addressing claims of rights violations, including allegations of electoral fraud

    • Misuse of public resources and of official position should be subject to appeals to a judicial or another authorized body. [?]

    Sanctions for violations of the electoral law were proportionate, appropriate, and effectively enforced

    • Effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions should be envisaged for misuse of public resources and of official position. [?]

    The Right to an Effective Remedy, Including Challenging Election Results

    • Key Obligations:
    • Right to an Effective Remedy
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
    • Right to a Fair and Public Hearing

    Forum shopping was discouraged

    • Appeal channels, when available, should be narrowly constructed to avoid "forum shopping." [?]

    A remedy was available for violations of the right to a fair and public hearing

    • A violation of the right to a fair and public hearing requires an effective remedy. [?]

    An effective and timely remedy was available for all citizens for violations of their rights throughout the electoral process

    • Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by a competent national tribunal for acts that violate his or her rights or freedoms. [?]
    • Individuals must have the right to a remedy for violation of their participatory rights relating to the election process. [?]
    • Remedy should be available for complaints arising throughout the electoral process. [?]
    • An effective remedy requires reparation for harm done. [?]
    • States must enforce a remedy when granted. [?]
    • At times, an effective remedy may require States Parties to take interim measures. [?]
    • Effective redress requires disputes to be dealt with in a timely manner. [?]
    • Electors and candidates may both be given standing in appeals of election results. [?]

    The ability to challenge the results of the election was provided by law and was available to complainants as appropriate

    • The right to challenge election results should be provided for by law. [?]

    The state acted to investigate and address violations of rights. It provided appropriate judicial and administrative means for addressing claims of rights violations, including allegations of electoral fraud

    • States Parties are obliged to prevent a recurrence of the violation to the covenant. [?]
    • Cessation of a violation is an essential element of an effective remedy. [?]
    • States have a duty to investigate alleged rights violations. [?]
    • The duty to investigate includes the investigation of acts by private persons and entities. [?]
    • States have a duty to provide appropriate judicial and administrative means for addressing claims of rights violations. [?]
    • Malfeasance, unlawful actions or omissions by public security providers should be promptly investigated and entail appropriate liability set by law. [?]

    The state took the steps necessary to give effect to rights during the electoral process, including through the dispute resolution process

    • States must take the steps necessary to give effect to human rights. [?]
    • The requirement to take steps to give effect to human rights is unqualified and of immediate effect. [?]
    • Necessary steps to give effect to human rights include education of the population and state officials in human rights. [?]
    • Necessary steps to give effect to human rights include a requirement to prevent, punish, investigate, or redress violations of human rights by non-state actors. [?]
    • All branches of the government and other public or governmental authorities are responsible for meeting the obligation to give effect to human rights. [?]
    • States are required to give effect to internationally recognized human rights in domestic law. [?]

    Right to an Effective Remedy and the Media

    • Key Obligations:
    • Right to an Effective Remedy
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights

    The legal framework provided citizens with an effective (timely and enforceable) remedy throughout the electoral process

    • Safety and ability of journalists and other media actors to work in full freedom should be protected, with any harassment and violence, offline and online, promptly investigated and liability imposed. [?]

    A system to file complaints related to the media was available for all citizens

    • Internet intermediaries should recognize and protect human rights online, including through accessible and effective complaint and redress mechanisms. [?]

    Safety, Security, and Electoral Dispute Resolution

    • Key Obligations:
    • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
    • Right to Security of the Person

    Electoral stakeholders were free from arbitrary arrest and detention as well as intimidation and coercion

    • Everyone has the right to security of the person without arbitrary arrest or detention. [?]
    • Law enforcement should behave in a neutral manner. [?]

    Law enforcement bodies were neutral in their work

    • Law enforcement should behave in a neutral manner. [?]
    • Malfeasance, unlawful actions or omissions by public security providers should be promptly investigated and entail appropriate liability set by law. [?]

    Security personnel played a positive role during the electoral process, providing protection for voters, candidates, and electoral management body personnel without interfering in the process

    • Malfeasance, unlawful actions or omissions by public security providers should be promptly investigated and entail appropriate liability set by law. [?]

    Business and Protection of Human Rights

    • Key Obligations:
    • Right to an Effective Remedy

    Business enterprises embraced, in policy and practice, their international and/or national human rights obligations. Accessible and effective complaint and redress mechanisms were established to protect these rights

    • Internet intermediaries should recognize and protect human rights online, including through accessible and effective complaint and redress mechanisms. [?]