AESF-II 2015

 Indicators of Democratic Elections

Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum II  Dili, Timor:Leste

18 – 19 March 2015

 

 Preamble

Recognizing that the holding of periodic, free, and fair elections based on secret ballots and universal suffrage is the  true  expression  of  the  sovereignty  of  the  people;

Adhering  to  the  principles  enshrined  in   the   Bangkok   Declaration on Free and Fair Elections and to the  rights  and  principles  proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International   Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights, and the Universal Declaration on Democracy;

Recognizing that the adoption of  common indicators respecting democratic elections can help measure democratic   progress and show the strengths and areas of needed improvement of each nation’s electoral processes;

Now, therefore, we, Asian  electoral stakeholders from both government and civil society   gathered   together   at   the   2nd   Asian   Electoral   Stakeholders  Forum  on 18-19   March   2015 in Dili, TimorQLeste, commit and agree to utilize the  following  Indicators  of  Democratic  Elections:

Indicators of Democratic Elections 

I. Legal Framework

  1. The overall legal framework provides for universal suffrage and guarantees basic  freedoms.

  2. The   legal   framework   is   consistent   with   international   human   rights   instruments such  as  the  UDHR  and  the  ICCPR.

  3. The legal framework provides for the regularity of elections, with intervals clearly  defined  and  set  out  in  law.

  4. The legal framework  provides  for  an  inclusive  process  that  is  fair  to  all  people  of   the   nation   without distinction  of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language,  religion, political or other opinion,  national or  social origin, property, birth or other status.

  5. The  laws  governing  the  conduct  of  elections  are  applied  impartially and  without discrimination.

  6. There  is  respect  for  the rule of law by all election stakeholders.

II. Level Playing Field

Electoral constituency boundaries are drawn on the basis of the  size of  the population  and  geographic  area.

a. Fair Constituency Delimitation

Electoral constituency boundaries are drawn on the basis of the size of the population and geographic area.

b. Participation of Political Parties and Candidates

  1. Requirements  for political  party and  candidate registration are reasonable and  clear.

  1. Regulations  for  political  party  and  candidate  registration are  non discriminatory.

  1. There are no   legal   candidate   registration   requirements   which   discriminate against persons as candidates on the   basis of gender, sex, race,  religion, or political views.

  2. Independent  candidates  are  allowed  to  compete  in  elections.

 c. Free and Fair Campaigning 

  1. All  political  parties  and  candidates  can  campaign  freely without fear of intimidation or threats of violence.

  1. A code  of  conduct is signed  by political parties  and other  stakeholders  to commit to the prevention  of  election  conflict  and  violence.

  1. There is no abuse of government resources in order  to advantage  or disadvantage  any  political  party  or  candidate.

  1. Political  parties and candidates are  required to   make  detailed,  timely disclosures  of  their  campaign  contributions  and  expenditures.

  1. Appropriate sanctions  are  in  place for violations by political parties  and candidates.

 d. Fair  Coverage  of  Media 

  1. The media are  able  to  freely  cover  campaigns  and  other  election  activities.

  2. The media, both public and private, are impartial  in  their  programming, reporting  on  and  covering  all  phases  of  the electoral process.

 III.       Professional Electoral Management Body  EMB)

 a. EMB as a Democratic Institution that is Independent and  Impartial 

  1. Appointment of  EMB  officials  is based on a just, impartial and transparent process.

  2. All  EMB  officials  and  staff  are  professional,  independent  and  impartial.

  3. The EMB maintains  transparency  in  the  entire  electoral  process.

  4. EMB staff is equipped with sufficient training and adequate resources to discharge their duties effectively and   impartially without favoring or disfavoring any particular  political party or candidate.

b. Efficient,  Transparent  PreAelection  Preparations 

  1. The voter registration list is prepared in a manner free from fraud.

  2. The voter registration list is available for inspection by interested groups.

  3. Mechanisms to correct errors on the voter registration list are available in advance  of  election  day.

  4. Polling places are conveniently located for voters.

  5. Representatives of political parties, candidates, and the public are permitted to reasonably observe the various aspects of election preparation and conduct of polls.

c. WellAorganized Election  Day,  Free  from  Fraud    

  1. All voters are allowed to cast their votes without undue difficulty.

  2. The process of balloting is implemented efficiently, transparently, without discrimination and in accordance with  applicable  laws.

The  secrecy  of  each  voter’s  choices  is  assured.

d. There  is  Timely  Reporting  of  Election  Results 

1. Election results  are  reported  promptly  without  undue  delay.


IV. Inclusive and Meaningful Participation of Citizens

  1. The legal framework  clearly  spells  out  the  criteria  of  citizens  eligible  to  vote.

  2. Any disqualifications e.g.,  felony  conviction, severely impaired  mental  faculties for registering  should   be reasonable, fair and implemented without discrimination.

  3. The actual process of voter  registration is accessible to all eligible  persons without discrimination on  the basis  of gender, race, religion, wealth,  etc.

  4. Voter  education is sufficient to enable  voters to make informed decisions about candidates  and  political  parties.

  5. Women are encouraged to participate in elections as voters and as candidates.

  6. All vulnerable and marginalized groups such as women,  youth, persons with  disabilities,  indigenous peoples, and   other minorities are encouraged to  participate  in  the  electoral  process.

  7. Local  absentee voting mechanisms are provided for voters who cannot cast ballots in their assigned polling station on  election day.

V.  Effective, Efficient, and Impartial Electoral Justice    Electoral Dispute Resolution

  1. The  applicable  laws  provide  a  process  for resolving  disputes respecting all aspects of the electoral  process.
  2.  The process of  resolving disputes is done in an impartial,  transparent, independent  and  timely  manner  consistent  with  respect  for  the  rule  of  law.

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