CONTENTS: Foreword; Abbreviations; Note concerning quotations; International instruments cited in the present handbook... INTRODUCTION... I. UNITED NATIONS INVOLVEMENT IN ELECTIONS: AN OVERVIEW... II. UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS REGARDING ELECTIONS IN GENERAL: B. Non-discrimination; C. Self-determination; D. Political participation; E. Other basic human rights... III. INTERNATIONAL CRITERIA REVIEWED IN DETAIL: A. Free elections; 1. The will of the people; 2. Assuring freedom; 3. Prerequisite rights; (a) Freedom of opinion; (b) Freedom of expression and information; (c) Freedom of assembly; {d) Freedom of association; (e) Independent judiciary; (f) Principle of non-discrimination; (g) States of emergency; 4. Secret ballot; 5. The essence of free elections; B. Fair elections: 1. Equal, universal and non-discriminatory suffrage; 2. Non-discrimination and positive measures; 3. One person, one vote; 4. Legal and technical assurances; C. Periodicity and the electoral time-frame; 1. Periodicity; 2. Postponing elections; 3. The electoral calendar... D. Genuine elections; 1. Genuine procedures; 2. Genuine effects; 3. A real choice; 4. Equal access to public service; 5. An informed choice; 6. Legal and technical issues; E. Other requirements; 1. The role of police and security forces; 2. The role of observers... IV. COMMON ELEMENTS OF ELECTORAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES: A. Election administration; B. Constituency delimitation; C. Registration of electors; D. Nominations, parties and candidates; E. Polling, tabulation and reporting; F. Complaints, petitions and appeals; G. Respect for fundamental human rights; H. Offences, penalties and maintenance of order; I. Media access and regulation; J. Public information and voter education; K. Observation and verification; L. Legal authority and structure... CONCLUSION... ANNEXES: I. International human rights standards relating to elections... II. Draft General Principles on Freedom and Non-discrimination in the Matter of Political Rights... III. Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Periodic and Genuine Elections: Framework for Future Efforts... IV. Relevant provisions of selected regional human rights instruments