A fundamental characteristic of the electoral legal framework  is how it regulates the activities of political parties and candidates.   

Political Parties can participate either on their own or associated with others. Sometimes candidates contest elections as “independent”, that is, without party affiliation. 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 happens in Mexico). However, for a democracy based on the existence of political parties, the role played by parties 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 fundamental. To begin, electoral laws must establish who is authorized to run, under which conditions and how authorization is established.  Usually, such topics are regulated by the Constitution (the fundamental right to vote is involved).  However, in some countries the fundamental rules are established by law.  The important thing, however, is to highlight that every aspect of political organizations and political parties has to be addressed.  Such a regulation has to be detailed in order to include the funding regime, the rights and privileges of members, the relations between the organizations and the candidates, and electoral participation, among other things.