Publisher Description

Parliamentary elections are the foundation of the democratic State, providing legitimacy to government and an opportunity for citizens to participate in the democratic process. But despite the crucial role of elections in government and society, the law governing them is fragmented, both conceptually and in terms of the legal framework. This book examines each stage of the electoral process from the perspective of the candidate seeking to become an MP: eligibility and qualification, the candidate selection process, nominations, disputed elections and then, lastly, disqualification or exit from the House of Commons. Each stage of the process is considered in light of developments in political practice and human rights jurisprudence, and an argument is made for the rethinking and reform of the law of parliamentary candidacy and membership. The book takes into account the reforms ushered in by the parliamentary expenses scandal of 2009, and also looks to the new electoral era that may eventuate under the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Coalition Government.

No subject is more central to the study of politics than elections. All across the globe, elections are a focal point for citizens, the media, and politicians long before--and sometimes long after--they occur. Electoral systems, the rules about how voters' preferences are translated into election results, profoundly shape the results not only of individual elections but also of many other important political outcomes, including party systems, candidate selection, and policy choices. Electoral systems have been a hot topic in established democracies from the UK and Italy to New Zealand and Japan. Even in the United States, events like the 2016 presidential election and court decisions such as Citizens United have sparked advocates to promote change in the Electoral College, redistricting, and campaign-finance rules. Elections and electoral systems have also intensified as a field of academic study, with groundbreaking work over the past decade sharpening our understanding of how electoral systems fundamentally shape the connections among citizens, government, and policy. This volume provides an in-depth exploration of the origins and effects of electoral systems.

Secrecy of the ballot

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.

As media law becomes more complicated and some of the leading textbooks thicker and larger, this concise guide provides core information without patronizing those with existing knowledge or bamboozling those with little expertise. Suitable for journalists, media workers, and anyone in the cultural or publishing industries, the book engages and addresses the Internet and blogging, social networking, instant messaging, digital multi-media publication and consumption as well as traditional print and broadcast. Each chapter covers substantive 'black letter law' and regulation/ethics, and kept in mind throughout will be the difference in duties and obligations between words and pictures, print and broadcasting. The focus is on the law relating to England & Wales, but with references to key differences to bear in mind in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Chapters start with bullet points, then flesh out the details and summarize pitfalls to avoid. Readers are left in no doubt about liabilities and potential penalties. Anticipating a dynamically changing arena, the text is also backed up by downloadable sound podcasts, videocasts, Internet source links throughout the book text, and a companion website so that any significant updates are immediately accessible direct from the ebook. Visit: https://ukmedialawpocketbook.wordpress.com/