• the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedoms
of association, petition and access to information in respect of political
matters other than elections; and
• other political rights the exercise of which is reserved in some countries
to citizens, but which do not involve making use of a ballot, such as
defence of the homeland and its institutions.
In several countries, the means for the protection and defence of electoral
rights are different from those for other political rights.
Figure 2.3. The principal electoral rights
Right of access to
an EJS, including the
right to an effective
remedy, due process
of law, and the
defence of an
electoral right
Political right to
participate in the
conduct of public
affairs, directly or by
means of freely
elected
representatives
Right to political
association for
electoral purposes
PRINCIPAL
ELECTORAL
RIGHTS
Rights to freedom of
expression, freedom
of assembly, petition,
and access to
information related
to political-electoral
matters
Right to run for
elective office
Right to vote
37. Several international human rights instruments have developed a series of
principles related to the right of access to justice that should be observed in
relation to the right of access to electoral justice and, in particular, to an EDRS
that guarantees the protection and defence of electoral rights. These principles
include, among others, the right to an effective remedy before an impartial,
14