Summary
States should involve civil society organizations and facilitate their effective participation in public decision-making processes.
Election Parts
Issues
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Vote Counting and Tabulation
- Provision of Voter Education by Civil Society and Political Parties
- Voter Registration Activities by Civil Society
- Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Voting Operations
- Transparency in Electoral Management Body Decision Making and Procurement
Criteria
- Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting
- Civil society organizations participated in voter education
- Civil society organizations were permitted to conduct voter registration free from unreasonable restrictions
- The state accredited citizen observer organizations and facilitated their ability to conduct their activities
- The electoral management body ensured transparency in its decision making; for example, through open meetings and the use of public and competitive tenders
Quotes
- States parties should aim to: (...) (d) Support and engage with representative organizations of persons with disabilities in political participation process at the national, regional and international levels, including by consulting with such organizations in matters that concern persons with disabilities directly.
- States parties should aim to: (...) (d) Support and engage with representative organizations of persons with disabilities in political participation process at the national, regional and international levels, including by consulting with such organizations in matters that concern persons with disabilities directly.
- Democracy requires the practice of dialogue at all levels, between citizens, between social partners, between political parties, and between the State and civil society. Democracy implies participation by citizens in political life and allows them to exercise their right of control.
- We, Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the States and Governments of Countries using French as a common language, (…) 4 - Undertake the following commitments: (…) C. For a peaceful political life (...) 17. To recognize the role and facilitate the constant involvement of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, the media and traditional moral authorities, enabling them, in the public interest, to make their contribution to a balanced political life.
- Democracy requires the practice of dialogue at all levels, between citizens, between social partners, between political parties, and between the State and civil society. Democracy implies participation by citizens in political life and allows them to exercise their right of control.
- We, Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the States and Governments of Countries using French as a common language, (…) 4 - Undertake the following commitments: (…) C. For a peaceful political life (...) 17. To recognize the role and facilitate the constant involvement of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, the media and traditional moral authorities, enabling them, in the public interest, to make their contribution to a balanced political life.
- Member States should: (…) f. ensure timely and transparent public consultations in policy development and draft legislation, especially where it may affect civil society.
- The Assembly calls on all member States to: (...) 10.5. ensure that NGOs are effectively involved in the consultation process concerning new legislation which concerns them and other issues of particular importance to society, such as the protection of human rights.
- The General Assembly, (…) 17. Reiterates the role of civil society and the importance of its active engagement in the promotion of democratization, and invites Member States to facilitate the full participation of civil society in electoral processes.
- Individuals must be free to participate in shaping decisions that will effect them and in policy formation during times of crisis as at other times; public participation is crucial to surmount any crisis, and civil society must be regarded as an essential partner of governments in this endeavor.
- A vibrant and free civic space with channels for safe and effective participation enables societies to be more peaceful and prosperous. The right to participate in the conduct of public affairs, protected and guaranteed by international law, is a cornerstone of civic space.
- With regard to the promotion of civic space, international human rights imply a State obligation to support institutional, legal and policy frameworks that enable effective and safe civil society participation in national decision-making processes and access to information.
- Ongoing policy monitoring is crucial to assess the performance of systems and processes and to adapt them as needed. It is important that consultations and monitoring be broadly based and not confined to habitual partners. Integrating new civil society organizations or grass-roots networks, irrespective of whether they are formally registered, can energize such processes.