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EOS EOS

Election Obligations & Standards Database

Summary

Limits on the right to vote may be based on military service.


Obligations

  • Right and Opportunity to Vote

Election Parts

  • Voter Registration

Issues

  • Voter Eligibility and Barriers to Registration

Criteria

  • Limitations on universal suffrage imposed during the voter registration process were reasonable and objective

Quotes

  • Some countries...disqualify military personnel from voting, a practice particularly common in Latin America. Such limitations, provided they have a rational basis, remain proportional and are not used as a device to disenfranchise significant sections of the population, arguably fall within the margin of appreciation left to States. Discriminatory disenfranchisement, however, would violate general principles of international law.
  • It is common and acceptable for the electoral framework to provide for members of the military and the police to be able to exercise the right to vote while on active duty. Although protecting the right of a member of the military or the police is appropriate, the provisions must be written carefully to avoid abuse.
EOS EOS

Election Obligations & Standards Database

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