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2007 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 www.infoleg.gov.ar

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

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution www.infoleg.gov.ar

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

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

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Interview: Ines Selvood, Plaza Publica / Clarin, Aug. 16, 2007

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

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Interview: Ines Selvood, Plaza Publica / Clarin, Aug. 16, 2007

Peer Review Comments: There is a book by Auyero, an Argentine sociologist, which claims that Peronist party bosses in shanty towns are able to tell how people vote in their districts, but did not establish exactly how.

Peer Review Comments: Ballots are secret, but in the pass elections -and this is common practice- local political leaders (punteros políticos) "use" people with no education and low resources by giving money or gifts to vote for their candidate. An intresting investigation in www.telenoche.com.ar, by Daniel Malnatti, a local journalist who discover fraudulent actions in Formosa.

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

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Interview: Ines Selvood, Plaza Publica / Clarin, Aug. 16, 2007; Ministerio del Interior www.mininterior.gov.ar

Peer Review Comments: The schedule is guaranteed by Constitution. Argentinian democracy is just 24 years old. Since the last dictatorship (1976-1982), only two presidents could complete their goverment term: Carlos Menem and Néstor Kirchner. Ricardo Alfonsín gave up power to Menem months before his term (1989) because of a phenomenal economic crisis (Hperinflación). Fernando de la Rúa was forced to resign (December 2001) because of his incompetence, a multitudinous civil protest and spurious activities performed by the Partido Justicialista. In the period of 2001-2003 we had five presidents until 2003 elections, when Kirchner won with 22% of the ballots.

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 www.infoleg.gov.ar; Law 23.298 www.infoleg.gov.ar

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

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Constitution www.infoleg.gov.ar; National Electoral Code www.infoleg.gov.ar

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: Legal requirements are very flexible. There are almost 40 national parties and more than 500 districtal ones with legal recognition. After the 2001 crisis, the party system has fragmented and new political options emerged. Many experts are critical of the flexibility of the procedures for the creation of new parties.

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Interview: Ines Selvood, Plaza Publica / Clarin, Aug. 16, 2007; Poder Ciudadano, 2007, Los partidos politicos importan. Buenos Aires.

Peer Review Comments: Party system fragmentation is of benefit to the Executive

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

Score:

100

Comments: The costs of campaigning are high. Small parties tend to form alliances.

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Interview: Ines Selvood, Plaza Publica / Clarin, Aug. 16, 2007

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:

References: Interview: Pablo Secchi, Poder Ciudadano, Aug. 17, 2007; Poder Ciudadano, 2007, El Congreso bajo la lupa. Buenos Aires

Peer Review Comments: Only if that opposition party has gained the necesary amount of votes to have representatives.