The
basic pillar of democracy is to have free and fair election
in every country.
The
principles of democratic elections are included in international
treaties, national constitutions and laws. The United
Nations Declaration of Human Rights enshrined the right
to vote as a basic human right in 1948. The establishment
of general and equal suffrage, direct and secret voting
is such a great value for mankind that it has to be considered
by every politician, civil servant and the electorate
as a direction given to democracy. Elections are a necessary
means of checking the state power, ensuring that parliaments
and governments in office serve the interest of both the
society and the individual.
Generally,
during the election process, political parties are competing
in order to show social, political and economic alternatives
of development. It is a fundamental right of voters to
express their support or rejection regarding candidates
and parties, by casting their votes. Democracy defines
the framework in which all the constitutional organizations
may find their places. Political parties defeated in the
elections shall have the right to bring up new arguments
and to gather new supporters for the next elections.
Education
of the electorate, especially that of first-time voters,
is the duty of the press and media. Without the freedom
of the press, it is meaningless to talk about free elections.
The
majority of the countries in the world are committed to
regularly organizing presidential, parliamentary and municipal
elections.
The
fair and transparent conduct of elections, the prevention
of fraud and the ensuring of legal remedy processes are
highly important duties of the election experts. Political
and social values may only be realized if the legitimacy
of elections is unquestionable. Accordingly, election
experts shall accomplish their work in an impartial manner.
Some
countries in the world remain uncommitted towards democratic
elections. Election experts do not always act impartially.
The challenge we as election administrators face is to
make democratic elections a fundamental pillar of democracy
in every country.
From
14 to 17 September 2005, election experts from all around
the world convened the Global Election Officials Conference
in Hungary. Through this conference they are sending an
important message about the vital need to strengthen the
process of democratic development throughout the world.
To this end the participants of the Conference have launched
an initiative to hold an annual Global Elections Day on
the first Thursday of February every year.
The
main goals of this day are
•
confirming our belief in the irreversibility of democratic
processes,
• informing the public of new achievements and challenges
related to various types of voting systems,
• calling the attention of parliaments, governments, politicians
and world leaders about the important leadership role
they play in promoting a culture of democracy and high
levels of voter participation,
• influencing first-time voters and young voters to commit
themselves to democratic values.
Participants
of the Conference propose to initiate an annual Global
Elections Day celebration in each country. They also enlist
the support of international organizations like the United
Nations. On Global Elections Day the organizers will organize
seminars, workshops and roundtable discussions about the
importance of democratic elections They will also focus
attention on the history of elections and democratic culture
and the challenge of organizing credible and transparent
elections. The organizers shall invite important personalities,
first- time voters, foreign guests and press representatives
to these events.
The
first Thursday of February is proposed as the date to
celebrate the Global Elections Day because most of the
international agreements in the field of elections were
signed on or around this date.
Instructions:
You can find a ballot paper enclosed.
In case you agree with the initiative, please fill it
out and sign it. Then tear it in two and put one piece
into the ballot box (which you can find at the entrance
of the conference room).
We
would like to ask you to take home the other piece of
this ballot paper and popularize this event among other
election experts. Election experts who do not participate
in the GEO conference can still participate by filling
in the ballot paper, signing it and sending it into the
ACEEEO Secretariat by e-mail at aceeeo@axelero.hu.
Thank you very much.
