Home > 1.2.1 Equal voting rights > ITALY- Opinion on the Regulation of Public Participation, Citizen's Bills, Referendums and Popular Initiatives and Amendments to the Provincial Electoral Law of the Autonomous Province of Trento
 
 
 
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Paragraph 16
 

III. DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT NATIONAL ELECTIONS LAW AND THE DRAFT ELECTION COMMISSIONS LAW


A.  Electoral System for Parliament


This system is problematic as it does not ensure respect for the principle of equality of votes. The free expression of the will of the people is a fundamental principle for democratic elections as is the principle of equal suffrage. Equal suffrage is required by paragraph 7.9 of the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Although this restriction could undermine the free expression of the will of the people and paragraph 7.9 of the Copenhagen Document, it can be seen as a transitory measure to build a pluralistic parliament.