Suffrage

One of the basic constitutional rights of a citizen is the right to elect and be elected. In different countries elections are held in different ways, because there are rules for their conduct and its own electoral system, which reflects the existing alignment of political forces in the state.

The electoral law and the electoral system

In Russia, elections are conducted on the principles of equal, direct and universal suffrage. Voting is carried out in secret.

Participate in them can all capable citizens, regardless of property status, religion, nationality, etc. Such an opportunity is not granted to persons serving a sentence (deprivation of liberty), and to citizens recognized as legally incompetent by the court.

The right to vote is passive and active. The first means the possibility of a citizen to be elected. At the same time, certain conditions and conditions are imposed on him: the state of health, the absence of criminal record, the length of residence in the country, age, etc. Active suffrage means the opportunity for citizens to participate in elections, cast their vote for any candidate or party.

Types of electoral systems :

• The majority. Depending on the method of determining the majority, it can be relative, absolute and qualified. In the first case, the candidate (party) is elected, for which a greater number of citizens voted (a simple majority). In the second - at least 50% and 1 more vote must be collected. In the third - the candidate who received the qualified majority of votes wins. For example, 2/3 of the voters who participated.
• Proportional. The distribution in this case of deputy mandates depends on the number of votes received by this or that party. Citizens exercise their electoral right by voting for collective lists. The results are determined based on the established quota - the minimum votes required for the 1st candidate.
• Mixed electoral system. It combines proportional and majority. It operates, in particular, in the Russian Federation.

Subjects of suffrage

They are understood as potential participants in such legal relationships. They must meet certain requirements. In particular, to have an electoral legal personality, that is, the right, de- and delictuality. The first means the ability to have the electoral rights and duties provided for in laws, the second - to acquire, modify, implement and terminate them independently, and the third - to be responsible for the misuse of rights and non-performance of the assigned duties.

The suffrage is granted to both individual and collective subjects. The first include: citizens, candidates, their proxies, voters, observers, including international ones, members of the relevant commissions. The second - political public associations, factions in the legislative bodies, electoral associations and blocs, commissions, state bodies.