Discussion
Different points of view were made concerning the question
of postal ballots and the opening remarks made by the
Chair. Some delegates suggested that developing countries
were not so concerned with the issue of postal ballots, and
that their use on demand should not necessarily be seen as
incorrect, but rather a matter of national preference
relative to local conditions, and that 'international
electoral standards' as the conference theme should be
replaced by electoral standards alone. Further meetings
should deal mainly with countries where basic institutions
of democratic government are difficult to establish
securely due to civil strife.
Against this view however it was argued that the concept of
international electoral standards was both valid and
recognised in international law. The demand that elections
be held on the basis of a secret ballot is itself one such
standard, and is stipulated in article 21 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. In regard to developing
countries, diplomatic concern had already been expressed to
the CDRSB by such states, including Ghana, in the
preparations for the conference. Concern was that
misguided, short sighted attempts to deal with problems of
voter participation in the older democracies though not of
pressing concern at this stage could have harmful effects
at some later stage, since international electoral
standards could be lowered, and general conditions
regarding electoral fraud and corruption made more
difficult, with serious consequences for developing states.
Similarly although the question of postal ballots did not
presently concern developing states issues of conflict in
any one country are connected ultimately to international
affairs and more usually reflect differences of a social
and political nature which are of a longstanding, chronic
character between the opposing standpoints of radicalism
and conservatism on a world historical scale.
The CDRSB has made plain the view that although postal
ballots on demand have been presented as a purely general,
cross party matter of concern regarding falling levels of
voter turnout in the older democracies, the problem of
factional self interest in the promotion of such practices
could still be discerned. In general it is the Left which
has been most adversely affected by falling turnout, and it
is accordingly the Left which is mainly responsible for
these changes throughout the world. Although the recent
growth in the use of postal ballots on demand has not been
opposed systematically by the Right, it is radicalism which
is nevertheless the chief advocate of such changes in
electoral procedure. Political support for all parties has
been adversely affected by demographic changes - and these
are serious because younger generations have a
disproportionately low propensity to vote, which may lead
to a catastrophic decline in turnout within a couple of
decades - but further to this the traditional constituency
of left support is also diminishing due to economic forces.
The industrial working class is proportionately smaller in
the technologically advanced countries than previously. It
is the Left, therefore, that has the greater motive to
lower electoral standards for purposes of factional self
interest, and this should be taken into account in
initiatives seeking to bring about a satisfactory
resolution of these difficulties.
A further consideration is that communist parties have been
committed to the overthrow of democracy. There is no
Chinese wall between the social democratic and communist
wings of global radicalism, as can be seen in the
composition of the Socialist International, which has
become increasingly influenced by leftism, such as espoused
by the Sandinistas. At the root of differences regarding
electoral practice are problems of political participation
and social conflict that have afflicted modern society
since the Enlightenment concerning the relationship between
politics and common sense. Failure to address the issue of
postal ballots on demand can also indicate a failure to
address these general problems in an honest, non-partisan
manner. Global poverty and the struggle against tyranny in
all countries cannot be properly addressed without at the
same time tackling these difficulties in a comprehensive
way. This is taken into account by the CDRSB and is
addressed comprehensively in the historical analysis
submitted in this report, and is reflected both in its
content and consistency and also in the fact that opinion
surveys show our demands in this regard are supported by
over two thirds of the British electorate.
On this basis the CDRSB view is that democratic
participation can best be improved not by lowering
electoral standards in regard to the use of absentee
ballots, but by making greater use of sortition in
electoral process and greatly increasing, accordingly, the
number of citizens paid for political work. A consensus was
reached in regard to these points and the following
proposals: First, that an International Forum on Electoral
Standards (IFES) be formed with the purpose of inviting
formal government affiliation to it. As previously stated
this should not be confused with 'IFES,' the NGO
contracting body responsible for the development of
democracy in Iraq. Second, that opinion among the
international community be sought and recorded in regard to
the use of postal ballots on demand in their relation to
the standards implied by Article 21 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights concerning the secrecy of the
ballot. Third, that a conference on international electoral
standards be organised. Fourth, that in regard to the
report of the general debate of the Social, Humanitarian
and Cultural Committee (the UN Third Committee) to the
Sixtieth Regular Session of the UN General Assembly an
amendment to Draft Resolution Thirteen on Strengthening the
role of the United Nations in Enhancing the Effectiveness
of the Principle of Periodic and Genuine Elections and the
Promotion of Democratization be formulated and UN permanent
missions, including the USA, be invited to support it.
Fifth, that the Community of Democratic Nations be
approached in regard to cooperation in matters of electoral
standards and conflict management.