General Right to
Vote
Constitution:
(1982)
• Article 48, section (1) states, "Deputies shall be elected
by constituencies by free, universal, equal, direct and secret balloting.
All citizens 18 years of age and over shall be electors, except for those
excluded by law."
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 113/IV/1994)
• Article 3, section (1) states, "All citizens have the right
and the duty to register to vote, as well as to ensure that they are duly
registered and, in cases of error or omission, to request corrections
to their registration."
• Article 5 states, "Voter registration is mandatory for all
citizens residing in the national territory."
Voter Assistance
by Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 113/IV/1994)
• Article 18, section (4) states, "If a person is temporarily
or permanently physically unable to proceed in the terms of the previous
article [fill out a registration form], the voter registration commission
accepts the form and notes this fact."
• Article 18, section (6) states, "If the form is not filled
out by the person him/herself, the person who presents the form on that
person's behalf must sign it as well, acknowledging that the facts presented
are correct."
(Law No. 116/IV/1994)
• Article 67, section (1) states, "Blind voters and those affected
by an obvious physical disability, who for that reason cannot perform
the different voting functions themselves, may vote accompanied by a citizen
of their choice, who is not a candidate, and who is bound to absolute
secrecy (ie, protect the secrecy of the b/d person's vote)."
• Article 67, section (2) states, "When it is not possible to
confirm the circumstances referring to the previous number, the voter
will be asked to present a certificate prepared by the competent entity
and duly notarized."
(Law No. 118/IV/1994)
• Article 59 states, "Blind people vote accompanied by a registered
voter of their choice, who guarantees that he/she will express the blind
person's choice and who is obligated to absolute secrecy."
Promotes Access
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 116/IV/1994)
• Article 36, section (2) states, "Polling stations must be
sited in public buildings, preferably schools, or municipal buildings
that provide sufficient space, security and access. If there is no adequate
public building, a private building may be requisitioned for this purpose."
(Law No. 117/IV/1994)
• Article 125 states, "A person who accompanies a blind or disabled
person to vote and deliberately expresses his/her will falsely shall be
punished with two to eight years in prison."
