D. Limitations on candidacy rights

A basic principle embodied in OSCE commitments is that voters should have the opportunity to choose in genuinely democratic elections, from among the citizenry, those persons who are to govern. Inherent in this principle is the possibility that the voters may not choose the best candidates for governance. However, it is vital that, in a democracy, the right to choose belongs to the people. Voters are best suited to judge the intellectual capacity, honesty, integrity, and general persona presented by candidates. The possibility to cancel a candidate’s registration should be limited to the situation where the candidate does not possess the legal requirements for candidacy (citizenship or age) or to severe violations of the election legislation. The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission recommend that Articles 53 and 70 be amended accordingly.