In line with international and European standards, including the requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Member States should not only recognise and respect the right of Union citizens to vote and to stand as a candidate but also ensure easy access to their electoral rights by removing as many obstacles to participation in elections as possible.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.