15 obligations and duties are understood.” [33] Similarly, the American Convention on Human Rights provides in art 23 that all citizens shall enjoy the right and opportunity “to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives”. [34] The Harare Commonwealth Declaration proclaims "the individual's inalienable right to participate by means of free and democratic processes in framing the society in which he or she lives”. [35] The Inter-American Democratic Charter reaffirms that “the participatory nature of democracy in [the American] countries in different aspects of public life contributes to the consolidation of democratic values and to freedom and solidarity in the Hemisphere”. It further asserts that “(i)t is the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development. This is also a necessary condition fo the full and effective exercise of democracy. Promoting and fostering diverse forms of participation strengthens democracy.” [36] It seems to this Court that the history of denial to the vast majority of this country’s citizens of the vote is the context in which the right to vote must be interpreted. Given the history of disenfranchisement in our country, the right to vote occupies a special place in our democracy. Any limitation of this right must be supported by clear and convincing reasons. If the government seeks to disenfranchise a group of its citizens it must place sufficient information before the Court demonstrating what purpose the disenfranchisement is intended to serve and to evaluate the policy considerations on which such decision was based. [37] To limit the right to vote Parliament would have to do so in terms of a law of general application which meets the requirements of reasonableness and