Summary
Discrimination means any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference on the basis of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, or national or social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Election Parts
Issues
- Equal Treatment of Candidates and Parties
- Special Measures
- Freedom From Discrimination and the Electoral Management Body
- Freedom From Discrimination in the Electoral System and Boundary Delimitation Process
- Freedom From Discrimination and the Media
- Freedom From Discrimination in the Voter Registration Process
- Freedom From Discrimination in Voting Operations
Criteria
- Regulations for candidacy and campaigning were not discriminatory
- Special measures were taken to ensure de facto equality for people with disabilities
- Special measures were taken, as necessary, to promote equality for minorities
- The state took steps to ensure de facto equality between men and women
- The electoral management body treated all citizens equally
- The electoral system did not discriminate against citizens on grounds prohibited by international law
- The regulation of the media promoted equality and absence of discrimination
- Eligibility requirements for voter registration were reasonable and objective and did not discriminate on the basis of prohibited grounds
- The voting process did not discriminate against anyone on the basis of prohibited grounds
Quotes
- The enjoyment of rights and freedoms on an equal footing, however, does not mean identical treatment in every instance…Furthermore, article 25 guarantees certain political rights, differentiating on grounds of citizenship.
- The Committee observes that not every differentiation of treatment will constitute discrimination, if the criteria for such differentiation are reasonable and objective and if the aim is to achieve a purpose which is legitimate under the Covenant.
- The term "discrimination" as used in the Covenant should be understood to imply any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference which is based on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, and which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal footing, of all rights and freedoms.
- Persons with disabilities should be enabled, freely and without discrimination, particularly of a legal, environmental and/or financial nature, to: - vote and stand for election at all levels; - have access to communication, information, procedures and facilities related to their political rights; - have equal access to public duties; - meet, join or found associations; - meet, join or found political parties; - express their opinions; - be closely consulted and actively included in the development and implementation of legislation and policies, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues that affect them.
- There should be no discrimination against any candidate or political party.