In a number of countries, electoral laws use rather general clauses concerning the cases of cancellation. Some countries provide for a general invalidation mechanism while some others for a partial one. It should be noted that one option (a general invalidation for instance) does not necessarily exclude the other option offered to the judge (a partial invalidation). There are many cases where the competent authority can cancel results in one or more electoral constituencies. In other cases, there are provisions that allow for the general invalidation of the elections.