(a). Political parties are a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power. Citizens vote for the party of their choice and, in this way, influence government policy. The presence of the political party is actually a healthy situation for the nation. It gives people a choice to make a more evolved and effective decision. Political parties are essential institutions of democracy. By competing in elections parties offer citizens a choice in governance, and while in opposition they can hold governments accountable.
(b). - In order for citizens to make informed choices at the ballot box, they need accurate information about the candidates and political platforms they're choosing between. This means that governments can't prevent the media from covering opposition candidates or parties, and it also means that parties don't intentionally spread misinformation. So access to reliable information is a key requirement for credibility of democratic elections.
- In a democracy with free and fair elections, governments exist for the people, are empowered by the people, and are made up of the people. A citizen who is eligible to vote should also be eligible to run for office. Governments cannot attack or prevent people who want to run for office, assuming they meet the same eligibility criteria as other politicians and candidates.
- Even if voters are given the right to vote, and are able to register to vote, an election is not free and fair unless they are then able to actually cast their ballot. Governments need to make voting reasonably possible for citizens. They must not be overly burdened to reach polling places, and reasonable accommodation should be made to ensure that citizens with a disability or other health condition, or lack of transportation, are still able to vote.
- Nobody should be intimidated or threatened at any point during an election. This includes outside and inside the polling station, but also before election day. The threat of violence can make people afraid to vote their preference. The threat of violence also does not need to be overt to violate this standard. If the government staffs polling places with poll watchers who are intentionally intimidating looking, or even armed, this can intimidate voters. So too can having people observe the actual process of voting. This is why secret ballots are important to ensure that voters feel safe and secure while voting.
-Every eligible voter should be able to cast one ballot, and it should be counted the same as every other ballot. When illegal ballots are counted along with legal ballots, the result does not reflect the will of voters.
- Counting all ballots and giving an accurate reporting of that count are essential parts of a free and fair election. Ballots must not be altered or thrown out after they are cast. And when a fair count is done, the government cannot refuse to release it, or release a different result.
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