This section deals in particular with the legal regulations that concern the internal functioning of political parties, other than laws and regulations for nomination and leadership elections and women’s representation in the party leadership.
Some countries have codified general principles of the internal functioning of political parties in their electoral or party laws. In some cases, the regulations are vague and only require political parties to adhere to (unspecified) principles of internal democracy – in other cases, the law prescribes specific procedures such as the holding of internal elections for leadership positions and candidatures.
The membership of political parties can be regulated specifying the minimum age for party membership, rights and obligations of members, etc.
Depending on the requirements to register a political party or to present candidates for election, political parties can be required to have a certain number of members, present an election manifesto, have party statutes, or organize local branches in different parts of the country.
