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Principles of elections

Elections must be free, general, uniform and direct. Voting is secret. Each voter has one vote.

 

Free elections

The voter is ensured the right to vote without any pressure and obstacles, according to their free will. All persons who are eligible to vote have the right to participate in elections. All persons who have the right to stand as candidate can be nominated as a candidate for elections. A voter decides for themselves whether they participate in elections or not. 

 

General elections

All members of society who have full legal capacity have the right to vote and to stand as candidate in elections. It is not allowed to set disproportional restrictions on participating in elections. Only a few restrictions connected, for example, with age, citizenship or residence are permitted.

 

Uniform elections

Each voter has one vote. The votes of all voters are of equal weight. All votes given at elections are taken into account equally. All candidates must have equal conditions for standing as candidate. All candidates must be ensured equal possibilities for introducing their views and equal broadcasting time.

 

Direct elections

The voting result is determined by the votes cast by voters. The winners are chosen on the basis of the will of the persons who participated in the elections. Each voter votes for themselves, and it is not allowed to authorise someone else to use your right to vote.

 

Secret ballot

Each voter must have the possibility to vote so that nobody would be able to find out against their will how they voted and if they voted. In normal circumstances, the secrecy of voting is ensured by the rules of polling places, and by voting booths. In electronic voting, secrecy is also ensured by the possibility to change one’s vote and the primacy of voting on paper.