Standing for election
The effective implementation of the right to stand for election ensures that voters have an unrestricted choice for whom to vote. Moreover, democracy is strengthened by a greater number of persons being able to run for office, offering more choices for voters and representing more diverse public views.
Standing for election & Human rights
Standing for election is a human right closely linked to the right to vote, with both being forms of representative democracy. The candidates who are elected carry out an important public function, and should be proposing and supporting policies that are in line with the wishes of voters who elected them. Because of the importance of this function, the right to stand for election can be restricted to ensure that these powers are not misused or abused and do not negatively impact the human rights of others.
Resources
Article 60
Protocol No. 1 Article 3
Article 25
Articles 39-40
Article 7
Article 5(c)
Article 29