REGULATORY ASSIGNMENT OF GENERAL VOTING LAW IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article is focused on establishing the peculiarities and regularities of the normative consolidation of universal suffrage in foreign countries. Analysis of the legislation of foreign countries leads to the conclusion that the principle of universal suffrage in most countries is enshrined both at the constitutional level and in special electoral laws (separate for each elections) or codified acts.
 The author proves that the principle of universal suffrage enshrined in constitutional laws is declarative, since its content is not revealed. At the same time, the principle of universal suffrage in special electoral laws and codified acts receives a more detailed disclosure of its content that lies in establishing conditions, which assists individuals to realize their right to vote and to be elected.
 There are cases where the universal suffrage is enshrined only in the section of the constitution that is responsible for the order of formation of bodies of government, but it is not contained in the rules on fundamental or political rights of citizens. The most common instances of consolidation of universal suffrage in the constitutions of foreign states are its reflection in several sections at the same time. The Basic Law of Germany establishes, among other principles of suffrage, the principle of universal suffrage and defines its content quite broadly, as well as contains references to federal laws that expand its content even more and impose certain restrictions.
 The author describes the experience of the United Kingdom, which has no constitution in the form of a single act of supreme legal force, and its constitutional legislation consists of cumulative regulatory acts, judicial precedents, constitutional agreements, doctrinal sources that establish human rights and freedoms, determine the order of formation and powers of public authorities, as well as the principles of relations between the state, society and man. However, these acts do not contain general suffrage provisions.