Elections

Elections and Democracy: The Role of the Council of Europe

Elections lie at the heart of democracy, providing citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and influence public policies.

However, challenges such as disinformation, foreign interference and unequal access to information threaten the integrity of electoral processes. The Council of Europe is actively committed to supporting free, fair, and transparent elections.

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Priorities
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Who does what
Highlights
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The Council of Europe's Priorities on Elections

Promoting electoral standards: Establishing and sharing common standards to ensure free and fair elections.
Election observation: Monitoring electoral processes to ensure compliance with established standards.
Technical assistance: Providing support to member states to improve their electoral systems.
Civic education: Raising public awareness about the importance of electoral participation and democracy.

News

Review of electoral administration training with Central Election Commission trainers in Albania

The analysis “Electoral Administration Trainings: Challenges and Practical Solutions - Dialogue with Trainers” was concluded on 30-31 May 2026, bringing together certified electoral trainers...

3 June 2026

Strengthening election reporting in the age of disinformation and AI

02 June 2026

Parliamentary Assembly to observe the parliamentary elections in Armenia

1 June 2026

Parliamentary Assembly to observe the early elections to the Kosovo* Assembly

1 June 2026

Advancing electoral training and education in Albania

25 May 2026

BRIDGE: Advancing excellence in Albanian elections

22 May 2026

Strengthening transparency and integrity in election-related public procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina

23 April 2026

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Who Does What on Electoral Matters in the Council of Europe

The Venice Commission: Officially known as the European Commission for Democracy through Law provides legal opinions and develops codes of good practice. It organises conferences of electoral management bodies to exchange experiences and best practices among member states.

The European Court of Human Rights adjudicates on complaints alleging violations of civil and political rights, including the right to free elections. It also publishes fact sheets on subjects such as voting rights and prisoners' voting rights. The Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights supports member states in fully implementing these judgments.

The Parliamentary Assembly observes parliamentary and presidential elections and referendums, reporting on issues such as voting rights for diaspora communities, the role of the media in election campaigns and transparency in party financing.

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) monitors how member states comply with Council of Europe standards on transparency in election and political party financing.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities observes local and regional elections and monitors how its standards are met. It also works to build skills and awareness amongst election workers and the general public.

The Division of Elections and Participatory Democracy provides technical assistance and guidance to member states to enhance their electoral systems. It develops and implements cooperation programmes in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Highlights of the Council of Europe's Work on Elections

Guidelines on the use of ICT in electoral processes

Conferences of Electoral Management Bodies Guidelines on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Elections: In February 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted guidelines on the use of ICT in electoral processes to ensure election integrity and strengthen citizens' trust in democracy.

Development of codes of good practice

The Venice Commission has created reference documents such as the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters and the Code of Good Practice on Referendums, widely used as international standards.

Promotion of Transparency

GRECO has played a pivotal role in promoting transparency in political party financing and electoral campaigns, helping to prevent corruption and build public trust in electoral processes.