In most of the Council of Europe member states, citizenship is a condition for running for office (passive electoral right). This approach is quite understandable bearing in mind the competencies of local self-government. The residents of the municipality cannot be represented by a person who is not familiar with the community life. Therefore, electoral legislation, especially on local elections, quite justifiably prescribes citizenship as a prior condition for exercising the right to be voted. This practice is in accordance with the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level.