The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
tions are not abused and are not applied in an arbitrary manner, but in such
a way that the effective exercise of these rights is ensured.
Any restriction on rights and freedoms must, in a democratic society, relate to
one of the objectives of the applicable law and be strictly proportionate to the
aim of that law.
In addition to the provisions of these international human rights instruments,
which create obligations for the states that are parties to them, there are a number
of other significant declarations and documents of associations of states and
of the associations of the legislative branches of governments. Included among
those that are directly relevant to democratic elections are the following: The
Harare Commonwealth Declaration (1991) of the Commonwealth of Nations;
Documents of the Summit Meetings of the Organization of Security and Cooperation
in Europe subsequent to the 1990 Copenhagen Document; the 2001 Norms and
Standards for Elections in the SADC Region adopted by the Southern Africa
Development Community Parliamentary Forum; and the 1994 Declaration on
Criteria for Free and Fair Elections of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
159
APPENDIX 4—CONTINUED