The Council for Democratic Elections
The Council for Democratic Elections, created following the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly calling for the drafting of a Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, is the only tripartite body of the Council of Europe, comprising members of the Venice Commission, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The OSCE/ODIHR regularly participates in its work.
After the Code was adopted and endorsed by the Committee of Ministers, the Assembly and the Congress, the Council became permanent. It examines all opinions and documents of a general nature (codes of good practice, guidelines, etc.) in the field of elections and political parties before they are submitted for adoption to the Venice Commission.
The aim of the Council for Democratic Elections is to unite in the same body the legal experience of the Venice Commission and the political experience of the Assembly and the Congress. The Council for Democratic Elections (CED) thus promotes common European values, the principles of the European electoral heritage.
Members of the Council for Democratic Elections (CDE)
Venice Commission
Members
- Mr Richard BARRETT
- Mr Srdjan DARMANOVIC - Vice-President
- Mr Ben VERMEULEN
- Mr Pere VILANOVA TRIAS
Substitute Members
- Mr Eirik HOLMØYVIK
- Mr Oliver KASK
- Ms Janine OTÁLORA MALASSIS
- Ms Katharina PABEL
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
Members
- Michael Georg LINK, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy - Vice-President
- Davor Ivo STIER, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
- María Valentina MARTINEZ FERRO, Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe
Substitute Members
- Aleksander POCIEJ, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
- Khatia DEKANOIDZE, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
- Laura CASTEL, Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE)
Members
- Mr Stewart DICKSON, Chamber of Regions - President
- Ms Gunn Marit HELGESEN, Chamber of Regions
Substitute Members
- Ms Randi MONDORF, Chamber of Regions
- Mr Vladimir PREBILIC, Chamber of Local Authorities
Observers
- European Union
- European Commission
- European Parliament
- Eurepean External Action Service (EEAS)
- Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
- Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
- Parliamentary Assembly
- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
- International Fondation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
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