Political Parties and Candidates
A fundamental characteristic of electoral laws is how they regulate the activity of political parties and candidates. The regulation of political parties and candidates is fundamental for any electoral system.
Political Parties can participate either on their own or associated to others. Sometimes independent candidates run on their own. Some countries authorize the existence of other political organizations including associations of individuals to participate in the election either on their own or in partnership with traditional political parties (as it happens in Mexico). However, the current state of affairs, suggests that for a democracy based on the existence of political parties, the role play by such organizations and their relations with other organizations are fundamental.
The regulation of the activities of political parties and candidates within an electoral process, especially in respect to the selection of candidates and electoral campaigns, is a fundamental of any electoral system. To begin with, electoral laws must establish who and how are authorized to run and under which conditions. Usually, such topics are regulated by the Constitution (the fundamental right to be voted is involved). However, in some countries the fundamental rules are established on the law. The important thing, however, is to highlight that every single aspect of political organizations and political parties have to be regulated. Such a regulation has to do a detailed work in order to include the funding regime, the rights and privileges of members, the relations between the organizations and the candidates, and the electoral participation, among other things.
Registration Requirements of Candidates for Election
