--- title: IX.B. Right to Free Elections description: "Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial…" url: "https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/ix-b-elections/" updated: "2025-04-11" category: • Introduction / IX. Civic Engagement --- # IX.B. Right to Free Elections Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial workflow](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/). Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. --- [Insert statement of urgency and significance for why this right relates to AI.] # **Sectors** The contributors of the *AI & Human Rights Index* have identified the following sectors as responsible for both using AI to protect and advance this human right. - [DEF: Defense and Military](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/def/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) - [GOV: Government and Public Sector](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/gov/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) - [INTL: International Organizations and Relations](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/intl/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) - [LAW: Legal and Law Enforcement](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/law/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/)[https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) - [REG: Regulatory and Oversight Bodies](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/reg/) # AI’s Potential Violations [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could violate this human right.] # AI’s Potential Benefits [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could advance this human right.] # Human Rights Instruments ## Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) G.A. Res. 217 (III) A, [Universal Declaration of Human Rights](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES217-A-III-UDHR.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/RES/217(III) (Dec. 10, 1948) Article 21 > 1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. > > > > 2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. > > > > 3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. ## International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination(1963) G.A. Res. 1904 (XVIII), [United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES1904-XVIII.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/RES/1904(XVIII) (Nov. 20, 1963) Article 5 > (c) Political rights, in particular the right to participate in elections-to vote and to stand for election-on the basis of universal and equal suffrage, to take part in the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and to have equal access to public service; ## International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(1966) G.A. Res. 2200A (XXI), [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES2200-A-XXI-ICCPR.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171 (Dec. 16, 1966) Article 25 > Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: > > > > (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives; > > > > (b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; > > > > (c) To have access, on general terms of [Equality](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/equality/), to public service in his country. [1.0 Research](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [2.0 Curate](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [3.0 Review](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [4.0 Revise](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [5.0 Published](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) **Last Updated:**  April 4, 2025 **Research Assistants:**  Aadith Muthukumar, Aarianna Aughtry **Contributor:**  To Be Determined **Reviewer:**  To Be Determined **Editor:**  Dirk Brand **Subject:**  Human Right **Edition:**  Edition 1.0 Research **Recommended Citation:**  "IX.B. Right to Free Elections, Edition 1.0 Research." In *[AI & Human Rights Index](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index)*, edited by Nathan C. Walker, Dirk Brand, Caitlin Corrigan, Georgina Curto Rex, Alexander Kriebitz, John Maldonado, Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Tanya de Villiers-Botha, and Hisham Zawil. New York: All Tech is Human; Camden, NJ: AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University, 2026. Accessed October 22, 2026. [https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/ix-b-elections/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/ix-b-elections/).