A/RES/70/168
United Nations
Distr.: General
17 February 2016
General Assembly
Seventieth session
Agenda item 72 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2015
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/70/489/Add.2)]
70/168. Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing
periodic and genuine elections and the promotion
of democratization
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming that democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed
will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural
systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives,
Reaffirming also that, while democracies share common features, there is no
single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or
region, and reaffirming further the necessity of due respect for sovereignty and the
right to self-determination,
Stressing that democracy, development and respect for all human rights and
fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing,
Reaffirming that Member States are responsible for organizing, conducting and
ensuring transparent, free and fair electoral processes and that Member States, in the
exercise of their sovereignty, may request that international organizations provide
advisory services or assistance for strengthening and developing their electoral
institutions and processes, including sending preliminary missions for that purpose,
Recognizing the importance of fair, periodic and genuine elections, including
in new democracies and countries undergoing democratization, in order to empower
citizens to express their will and to promote successful transition to long -term
sustainable democracies,
Recognizing also that Member States are responsible for ensuring transparent,
free and fair elections, free of intimidation, coercion and tampering of vote counts,
and that all such acts are sanctioned accordingly,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject, in particular resolution
68/164 of 18 December 2013,
15-16922 (E)
*1516922*
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