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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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

Genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elections in fragmented political environment and with difficulties in electoral administration, international observers say

There was genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 4 October general elections and contestants were largely able to reach voters. The political landscape is deeply fragmented, characterised by conflicting narratives still rooted in wartime divisions, the international election observers...

5 October 2026

Parliamentary Assembly elects Svjetlana Milišić-Veličkovski judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina

29 September 2026

Election simulations give citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina first-hand experience of new voting procedures

29 September 2026

Kosovo* elections were calm and orderly but revealed persistent structural challenges, says Parliamentary Assembly delegation

29 September 2026

Elections in Armenia: society has demonstrated its democratic resilience despite the shortcomings observed and unprecedented external pressures

28 September 2026

PACE to observe the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina

24 September 2026

Elections in Morocco: orderly voting but serious challenges remain for representative democracy, say PACE observers

24 September 2026

See all news about elections »

Who Does What on Electoral Matters in the Council of Europe

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 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 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 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. Member States receive expert advice and technical assistance on various aspects of elections, such as the capacity building of electoral stakeholders and the raising of voter awareness, through electoral cooperation.

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.

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.