Global

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Updated: November 2014
A woman stands in front of a brick wall, holding up a poster written in Nepali and with large illustrations that demonstrates how to mark a ballot correctly. She is the community facilitator. In front of her is a small crowd of people sitting and watching
Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states:

 

Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in Article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:

 

(a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

 

(b) To vote and to be elected at 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;

 

(c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country