Since its creation in 1949, the Council of Europe has adopted a number of reference standards to protect the democratic values and ideals in Europe. From the most binding regulation to the latest innovative guidelines, this specific webpage is dedicated to the acquis of the Council of Europe in the field of elections (non-exhaustive list).

All Electoral norms and standards »

Key Electoral norms and standards of the Council of Europe

 Legally binding

• Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) (ETS No. 005) (Art. 6, 10, 11, 13 and 14) 
• Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS No. 009) (Art. 3 Right to free elections) 
• Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS No. 177) 
• Case law of the European Court of Human Rights 
• Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local levels (ETS No. 144) 
• European Charter of Local Self-Government (ETS No. 122) (Art. 3.2.) 
   

 Instruments/texts adopted by Statutory Bodies of the Council of Europe

• Committee of Ministers: Documents related to elections 
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Key texts adopted by the Assembly in the field of elections for the period from 2003 to 2022  (137 Ko)
• Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: Reference texts

 Code of good practice in electoral matters

• European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission): Code of good practice in electoral matters - European Electoral Heritage  (500 Ko)