The Council for Democratic Elections (CDE), created following the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calling for the drafting of a Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, is the only tripartite body of the Council of Europe, comprising members of the Venice Commission, members of the Parliamentary Assembly and members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The OSCE/ODIHR regularly participates in its work.

The CDE examines all opinions and documents of a general nature (codes of good practice, guidelines, etc.) in the field of elections and political parties before they are submitted for adoption to the Venice Commission.

The aim of the CDE is to unite in the same body the legal experience of the Venice Commission and the political experience of the Assembly and the Congress. The Council for Democratic Elections thus promotes common European values, the principles of the European electoral heritage. 

Members of the Council for Democratic Elections

 Venice Commission

 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Members:

• Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy 
• Pablo HISPÁN, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
• Lord David BLENCATHRA, Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe

Substitute Members:

• Michael Georg LINK, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy - Vice-Chair
• Octavie MODERT, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
• Liliana TANGUY, Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe

 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Members:

• Stewart DICKSON, Chamber of Regions – Chair
• Marcin GOLASZEWSKI, Chamber of Local Authorities 

Substitute Members:

• Alexander BOOMGAARS, Chamber of Regions 
• Igor STOJANOVIĆ, Chamber of Local Authorities 

 Observers

• European Union:
  • European Commission 
  • European Parliament
  • European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE):
  • Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
  • Parliamentary Assembly
• Organization of American States (OAS):
  • Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO)
• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
• International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

 The Venice Commission regularly organises thematic seminars and conferences in the electoral field. They aim at disseminating the principles and recommendations of Europe’s Electoral Heritage, which are mainly based on the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters.

Useful links:

• Revised Internal Rules of Procedure of The Council For Democratic Elections
• Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters
• Code of Good Practice on Referendums
• Europe’s Electoral Heritage
• European Conferences of Electoral Management Bodies
• VOTA database
• Council of Europe and elections

 Political parties

In addition to its electoral activities, the Venice Commission also works on the question of political parties and their funding, which play a fundamental role in democratic life.

Useful links:

• Guidelines on Political Party Regulation 
• Code of Good Practice in the field of Political Parties 
• Guidelines on prohibition and dissolution of political parties and analogous measures
• Opinion on the prohibition of financial contributions to political parties from foreign sources
• Guidelines and explanatory report on legislation on political parties: some specific issues
• Report on the participation of political parties in elections
• Updated compilation of Venice Commission opinions and reports concerning political parties