CDL-AD(2020)025 - 26 - 96. Candidate registration – In 39 countries,133 the time limits concerning the adjudication of complaints lodged on refusal of candidate registration are short (i.e. from three to five days and sometimes less than three days) whereas 11 countries134 provide for longer periods (i.e. more than five days). Five countries do not provide in their electoral laws any time limit for adjudicating complaints related to candidate registration.135 97. Similarly to the time limits for lodging complaints on refusal of candidate registration, the time limits for adjudicating such complaints should be short in order to avoid a disruption of the electoral calendar and to offer to all candidates the same campaign period. 98. Voter registration and voter lists’ corrections – In 14 countries, time limits for adjudicating complaints on potential mistakes on the voter list or the absence of registration are short (i.e. from three to five days and sometimes less than three days).136 In two countries, time limits for adjudicating such complaints are longer ones (i.e. more than five days).137 99. A majority of the countries providing for specific time limits for adjudicating complaints on potential mistakes on the voter list or the absence of registration, provide for short periods. This is welcome in order to avoid disenfranchisement. Two countries provide for longer time limits whereas 44 out of the 59 countries analysed do not provide explicit provisions regarding the time limits for adjudicating such complaints. It is essential that voters be able to request on time corrections on voter lists, including their registration in case of unjustified absence from the electoral registers. This should be done very quickly, within the official period provided for scrutiny and corrections on voter lists, in order to allow all eligible voters to vote at the next elections. 100. Voting and counting/tabulation procedures – In 12 countries, time limits for adjudicating complaints on potential irregularities during the voting – during early voting, if any, or on election day, including concerning counting and tabulation procedures, are short (i.e. from three to five days and sometimes less than three days).138 In four countries, time limits for adjudicating such complaints are longer ones (i.e. more than five days).139 101. The majority of the countries providing explicit provisions concerning time limits for adjudicating complaints on potential irregularities during the voting – during early voting, if any, or on election day stipulate short periods, which is welcome. Similar to time limits for lodging such complaints, it is advisable that such complaints be adjudicated within a short time frame in order to avoid delayed announcements of final election results. 102. Election results – In 28 countries,140 the time limits concerning the adjudication of complaints and appeals lodged against election results are short (from three to five days and 133 Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine. 134 Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. 135 Canada, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway. In Austria, the denial to stand as a candidate can be subject to judicial control by the Constitutional Court after the election has taken place. Denmark does not have any appeal mechanism. 136 Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Ukraine. 137 Chile, the Netherlands. 138 Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Ukraine. 139 Albania, Armenia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan. 140 Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine.

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