Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing periodic
and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization
A/RES/68/164
Recalling also all relevant Human Rights Council resolutions on the topic,
including resolutions 19/11 of 22 March 2012, 1 19/36 of 23 March 2012,1 22/10 of
21 March 2013 2 and 24/8 of 26 September 2013, 3
Reaffirming that United Nations electoral assistance and support for the
promotion of democratization are provided only at the specific request of the
Member State concerned,
Noting with satisfaction that increasing numbers of Member States are using
elections as a peaceful means of discerning the will of the people, which builds
confidence in representational governance and contributes to greater national peace
and stability, and which may contribute to regional stability,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on
10 December 1948, 4 in particular the principle that the will of the people, as
expressed through periodic and genuine elections, shall be the basis of government
authority, as well as the right freely to choose representatives through periodic and
genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held
by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures,
Reaffirming the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 5 the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 6 the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 7
and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 8 and reaffirming in
particular that citizens, without distinction of any kind, have the right and the
opportunity to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely
chosen representatives, and to vote and to be elected in genuine periodic elections,
which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot,
guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors,
Reaffirming also that the active participation of women, on equal terms with
men, at all levels of decision-making is essential to the achievement of equality,
sustainable development, peace and democracy,
Stressing the importance, generally and in the context of promoting fair and
free elections, of respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, in
accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and noting
in particular the fundamental importance of access to information and media
freedom,
Recognizing the need for strengthening democratic processes, electoral
institutions and national capacity-building in requesting countries, including the
capacity to administer fair elections, promote voter education, the development of
electoral expertise and technology and the participation of women on equal terms
with men, provide the necessary conditions to ensure the effective and full
_______________
1
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 53 and
corrigendum (A/67/53 and Corr.1), chap. III, sect. A.
2
Ibid., Sixty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/68/53), chap. IV, sect. A.
3
Ibid., Supplement No. 53A (A/68/53/Add.1), chap. III.
4
Resolution 217 A (III).
5
See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
6
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1249, No. 20378.
7
Ibid., vol. 660, No. 9464.
8
Ibid., vol. 2515, No. 44910.
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