In contrast to legal
regulations, i.e. constitutional provisions, party law, and electoral law
provisions that concern the internal functioning of political parties,
regulations may also be voluntarily introduced by political parties themselves
in order to ensure internal democratic processes and operations. As noted elsewhere in this module, it is also
of notable and increasing import for parties to incorporate voluntary
regulations on minority inclusion and gender balance in party membership,
leadership, and candidate selection.[1]
Most political parties have
a Party Constitution or similar document adopted by the highest decision-making
body in the party. Many also have an internal rule-book or set of regulations
(by laws) that are internal to the party and guide decisions and procedures.
These voluntary regulations
can concern for example:
- The structure of the party,
especially the relative independence of local branches and auxiliary
groups
- Decision-making
procedures
- Membership
- The election or selection of
leaders and candidates
- Mechanisms for conflict
resolution within the party
- Ethical rules of behaviour of
party members and staff
- Inclusion of women and
minorities at all levels
