As in the case of disputes related to election results, it is interesting to
find out to what extent voters and citizens in general have the right
to challenge decisions on the registration or nomination of electoral
contestants. The findings (see Figure 4.5) suggest that in the majority of
countries (67 per cent), voters and citizens cannot challenge decisions
regarding the nomination or registration of electoral contestants.
Interestingly, the proportions are the same for Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, which
are mostly established democracies, as for non-OECD countries. This
is an important finding that warrants further research.
Figure 4.5. Can citizens challenge the nomination or registration of electoral contestants?
33%
Data from
177 countries
Countries where citizens are allowed
to challenge the decisions regarding
registration or nomination of
candidates/parties for
legislative elections
The proportion of countries is the same in
both OECD* countries (mostly established
democracies) and non-OECD countries
10%
non-OECD countries
(143 countries)
33,5%
32,4%
OECD countries (34 countries)
Countries where citizens can challenge the candidate/party registration or nomination for elections
Countries where legislation is silent or does not allow citizens to challenge the candidate/party registration or nomination for elections
Countries not covered in the research
Source: www.idea.int/elections/ej
* OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Notes: The term ‘citizens’ in this map covers the options ‘eligible voters’, ‘registered voters’ and ‘any citizen’.
Graph represents the data in EJD as of August 2015.
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