free+ fair Flashcards
What is a free election?
The right to vote
Choice
No intimidation
Secret ballot
What is a fair election
Register
Campaign
Press freedom
Conduct of elections
Gerrymandering
The gov changes the boundaries of constituencies to favour their party
Intimidation
Fear and violence is used to intimidate voters to select certain candidates
Bribery
Bribing election officials and voters
Discrepancies
This can range from “lost” ballots, tampering with votes and inaccurate counting of votes
Elections and boundaries commission
responsible for registering voters and managing elections
International foundation for electoral systems (IFES)
helps countries establish electoral systems and procedures that are free and fair
What do governments do for it to be free and fair
Invite observers from the commonwealth carter centre and CARICOM
What is universal sufferage
the term is used to show that all competent adult persons in a country have a right to vote. The right to vote is not restricted by race, sex, belief wealth or social status
What is limited sufferage
A system when all the population was not allowed to take part in voting
Why do we need free/fair elections
- avoid voters being persecuted/prevented from voting by threats of violence/attacks on polling stations
- Avoid voters being intimidated/bribed
- ensure that the counting is transparent/independent to not be tampered with
- ensure that ballot papers are not deliberately discounted/lost/destroyed
