Article 21 – Universal and equal suffrage; admission to public office

1. "Everyone has the right to take part in the management of public affairs of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."

2. "Everyone has the right, under equal conditions, to be admitted to public office in his country."

3. "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of public authorities; that will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections with universal and equal suffrage by secret ballot, or by an equivalent free electoral procedure."

Explanation of Article 21

Countries with a wide variety of political systems have adopted the Universal Declaration or joined the two UN International Covenants. This makes it clear that this article cannot prescribe a specific political model. But the principle is clear: everyone has the right to elect freely chosen representatives to parliament. Elections must be held at regular intervals as prescribed, free and fair, and every citizen has the right to have his or her vote given equal weight to that of others.

Furthermore, everyone has the right to equal access to public office, particularly to employment in the public administration. However, it is permissible to give temporary priority to certain disadvantaged groups until their situation has improved.

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