CAAMAÑO VALLE v. SPAIN JUDGMENT and evaluating the evidence and reports made within that process – ruled that the guardianship should be extended and that M. should be deprived of her right to vote because she had a lack of cognitive skills to understand the meaning of a vote and was prone to be influenced very easily (see paragraphs 6-8 above). That decision was confirmed by the Regional Court on appeal (see paragraph 10 above). The latter’s decision was upheld by the Supreme Court after an appeal on points of law. The Supreme Court examined the substance of the appeals lodged by the applicant and found that the decision of the Regional Court had contained a thorough analysis of the case and had correctly balanced the interests at stake (see paragraph 12 above). Finally, the Constitutional Court dismissed an amparo appeal, after having found that the contested judicial decisions were based on an individualised examination of the applicant’s daughter’s situation and did not manifest any arbitrariness, irrationality or obvious error (see paragraph 14 above). 73. Having regard to the foregoing, in particular the fact that the removal of the applicant’s daughter’s voting rights was based on her lack of understanding of the meaning of a vote and her susceptibility to being influenced, the Court concludes that her disenfranchisement was not disproportionate to the legitimate aim pursued. (γ) The free expression of the opinion of the people 74. The Court emphasises that an overriding obligation under Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 is to “ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people”. Any limitation of the right to vote must therefore be analysed not only from the perspective of the individual concerned, but also from the perspective of democratic society as a whole, since each individual’s right is embedded within the broader framework of the electoral system. That system must be “aimed at identifying the will of the people through universal suffrage” (see paragraph 57 above). Such a result can only be obtained through a voting process that allows for the people freely expressing their opinion in the choice of the legislature. 75. It is for each State to determine how the “free” expression of the opinion of the people is to be ensured while at the same time making provision that the opinion expressed represents the one “of the people”. The survey of 28 Member States of the European Union shows that while a number of States put the emphasis on the right of all people to participate in the elections, other States put the emphasis on the requirement of a free and self-determined electoral choice by the voters, thus prohibiting persons with certain mental disabilities from participating in the elections (see paragraphs 27-28 above). Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 does not impose either one of these systems. The Court considers that both systems fall within the margin of appreciation of the States, as long as -in the second system- the conditions for disenfranchisement are such that they apply only to those 23