Today, everyone just does what they say about democracy. This applies even to those who really do not know what it is.
For many people, democracy is primarily associated with freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and, of course, freedom of choice. Under a democratic regime, people participate in the formation of the supreme, and at the same time local authorities, everyone has the right and opportunity to speak out and also act just as he sees fit. This article will disclose the concept and principles of suffrage, on which all elections held in our time should be based.
What constitutes suffrage
This is nothing but the subjective right of citizens to be participants in constitutional legal relations that arise through elections. In simpler terms, suffrage is the ability to cast a vote for a particular candidate (active suffrage), as well as the right to nominate oneself as a candidate in elections (this is already passive suffrage).
Elections are the main tools of democracy. Today, elections to central as well as local representative bodies of government are held with the participation of ordinary citizens almost all over the world. Of course, elections were not always held as they are now: there were times when the poor, women, and representatives of small nations could not vote. The elections themselves were changing, and with them the very principles of suffrage. It is worth noting that most of the principles described here appeared in the last century, since it was then that the democratization of society began to take place.
Today, citizens of our country, if they wish, can:
- take part in the nomination of candidates;
- take part in election campaigning ;
- to be election observers;
- to carry out any other activities related to elections, if it does not contradict the Constitution, as well as the laws of our country.
It has already been said above that the principles of suffrage are constantly changing and improving. Today everything is arranged in such a way that everyone’s voice is taken into account in the elections, regardless of what gender they are, what is their leading type of activity, and also what kind of financial situation they are in.
Basic principles of suffrage
The principle of universality. The principles of suffrage are needed to give everyone the right to speak. In democracies, it is simply unacceptable for a minority to make decisions for a majority. Those whom the people affirm in the elections are his representatives, act on his behalf, which means that everyone should participate in the elections without exception. Of course, minors, mentally ill and some other categories of citizens cannot take part in the elections, but this does not violate the principle of the universality of elections.
The most important principles of suffrage include the principle of equality. This principle means that each voter is the holder of only one vote. And the voices of all citizens are equal regardless of what social status they have, what nationality they belong to, and so on.
The principle of direct elections. This principle is based on the fact that everyone votes by himself and without any intermediaries.
The principle of secret ballot. In democracies, voting is secret. The voter is not obliged to report to anyone to whom he voted for in the same way that no one has the right to try to find out this information from him or by any threats to influence his choice.
Of course, there are other principles of suffrage, but those listed above are the most basic of them.