The principle of secret ballot: an analysis of the European Legislation and Treaties
The principle of secret ballot: an analysis of the European Legislation and Treaties

Summary/Abstract: The right of vote is directly related to the concept of democracy, since its used as the most important tool in verifying the democratic nature of the systems. This article explores the definition of the principle of the secret ballot that is vital to the legality of the elections and consequently the level of democracy of states. The field of investigation will expand through an analysis that will be held upon the concept of the secret ballot principle throughout the European legislation. The analyse will evolve in the studying of this principle and election rights in the interpretation of supranational charters and that of EU Treaty. The article will conclude that the principle of secrecy of the vote was an unfailing element for the development of modern pluralistic democracies, because the secret vote made it possible to concretize the affirmation of universal suffrage. Consequently, the principle of secrecy of the vote has entered the epidermis of today's democracies, so much so that it deserves solemn mentions in almost all modern Constitutions and in supranational charters.

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