This publication contains a set of guidelines for good practice in the conduct of elections, based on Europe's electoral heritage, as well as an explanatory report which explains the key principles on which they are based. The guidelines and report were adopted in 2002 by the Council for Democratic Elections and by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (also known as the Venice Commission); and approved in 2003 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Europe and by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe.

The Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, which was adopted by the Venice Commission in 2002, is the reference document of the Council of Europe in the electoral field. It defines in detail the standards of European electoral heritage: universal, equal, free, secret and direct suffrage, as well as the frequency of elections, including the framework conditions that are necessary for the organisation of proper elections, such as respect for human rights, particularly in the political field, the organisation of elections by an impartial body and an effective appeals system. This publication contains the reports presented at the seminar organised under the Albanian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the occasion of the 1Oth anniversary of the code. It focuses in particular on the main problems of electoral law and administration, including the composition and functioning of electoral administration, as well as the representation of women and minorities. It also refers to the importance of the code for the other Council of Europe bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights, when ensuring the right to free elections

Secrecy of the ballot

During the 2016 presidential election, America's election infrastructure was targeted by actors sponsored by the Russian government. Securing the Vote: Protecting American Democracy examines the challenges arising out of the 2016 federal election, assesses current technology and standards for voting, and recommends steps that the federal government, state and local governments, election administrators, and vendors of voting technology should take to improve the security of election infrastructure. In doing so, the report provides a vision of voting that is more secure, accessible, reliable, and verifiable.

The use of computers and other technology introduces a range of risks to electoral integrity. Cybersecurity for Elections explains how cybersecurity issues can compromise traditional aspects of elections, explores how cybersecurity interacts with the broader electoral environment, and offers principles for managing cybersecurity risks.