IV. Right to vote and be elected

The Constitution and the draft Code do not provide for voting rights for citizens serving a prison sentence. This prohibition is absolute without any reference to the nature of the crime committed.The disenfranchisement of citizens serving a prison sentence, regardless of the severity of the crime committed, weakens the guarantee of universal suffrage, and is inconsistent with OSCE commitments and international standards.29 The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR reiterate the recommendation that the restriction of suffrage rights of citizens serving prison terms, regardless of the severity of the crime committed, should be reconsidered through legislative measures to ensure case by case decisions as to the proportionality between the limitation imposed and the severity of the offense.