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8.
93.
Participation in the Public Life of the Country (Article 13 of the
Charter)
The Constitution recognises the right of citizens to participate in the public life of
the country. According to Article 33, every citizen has the right to vote and to be
elected and Article 34 stipulates that every citizen has the right to apply for any public
office in accordance with the requirements of the law.
94.
This right is reflected by the legislative and municipal elections eligibility
governed by the Elections Act to which major amendments were made by Parliament
which adopted Act 2009/03 of 29 June 2009 which annulled Act 2008/01 on the Election
of Members of Parliament, to enhance the principle of equality and equal opportunities
for all citizens.
95.
Recruitment in State institutions is governed by the Employee and Public Service
Act 01/06 of 3 March 2001 which guarantees this right by focusing on the following
objectives:
96.
Equality;
Equal opportunities;
Competence by giving priority to the most deserving employees.
Recognition of the political rights of the Sahrawi Women has found expression in
the declaration by the Sahrawi Republic of the Supreme State law, namely, the
Constitution, particularly Article 26 which explicitly states that all men and women shall
enjoy equal rights and have equal obligations.
97.
The Elections Act accords the same constitutional guarantees to this right.
Article 10 states that every citizen who has reached the age of 18 is fully entitled to
his/her political rights. This is a constitutional gain guaranteed by the provisions of
Article 42 where it is stated that the State shall endeavour to promote women‟s political,