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2008 Assessment

Argentina: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Argentina: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	100
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	70

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution [ LINK ]

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution [ LINK ]

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: Although ballots are secret, In the past national election Poder Ciudadano received some denounces related to fraud issues in the Provinces of Buenos Aires.

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: Schedule elections have been guaranteed by the National Constitution since the return to democracy, in 1983.

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution: [ LINK ]

Law 23.298: [ LINK ]

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution: [ LINK ]

National Electoral Code: [ LINK ]...

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments: There are several critiques about the flexibility of the legal requirements. There are almost 40 national parties and more than 500 local ones with legal recognition. The past election showed that the party system is fragmented.

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments: To have representatives, the opposition has to obtain a certain amount of votes. In practice, that does not occur.

References: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano Foundation, September 2008.