HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CITIZENS' VOTING RIGHTS

18 October 1995

Press Release
HR/CT/432

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CITIZENS' VOTING RIGHTS

19951018 GENEVA, 17 October (UN Information Service) -- The Human Rights Committee this morning exchanged views on its draft general comment on article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That discussion was within the framework of the right of citizens to take part in the conduct of public affairs through elections and referendums.

Article 25 of the Covenant recognizes and protects the right of every citizen to take part in the conduct of public affairs, the right to vote and to be elected, and the right to have access to public service. Whatever form of constitution or government is adopted by a State, the Covenant requires the State party to adopt such legislative and other measures as might be necessary to ensure that citizens have an effective opportunity to enjoy the rights it protects.

According to that article, every citizen has the right to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections, which should be by universal and equal suffrage and should be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors.

The Committee further examined specific difficulties affecting registration and voting, such as illiteracy, language barriers, poverty, threats of intimidation or impediments to freedom of movement, which might prevent citizens from exercising their rights effectively. States were expected to take positive measures to overcome such difficulties and ensure that all eligible citizens had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

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