- Article 42: “The right to establish political parties shall be recognized and guaranteed…” - Article 50: “Every citizen meeting the legal requirements shall have the right to vote and to be elected”. - Article 51: “Equal access to positions and employment in the government shall be guaranteed to all citizens, without conditions other than those established by statute”. 221. The practical procedures and mechanisms for citizens’ participation in the management of public affairs were established by the various laws and regulations and have been further consolidated, following the political reforms which began in 2011, in particular through the promulgation of new organic laws on the electoral system and political parties, in addition to the new commune and wilaya codes. 222. In this regard, Organic Law No. 12-01 of 12 January 2012 on the electoral system provides that elections to be organised by the Administration shall be supervised by the judiciary and monitored by representatives of participating political parties and independent candidates. It also provides for: - The establishment of a National Election Supervisory Commission composed of magistrates. The Commission is responsible for supervising elections at the national level and at the level of the wilayas. It is involved throughout the process, from the beginning of the electoral process to the announcement and final validation of election results. - The establishment of a National Election Monitoring Commission composed of representatives of participating political parties and independent candidates. The Commission elects its chairperson among its members, has field offices in the wilayas and communes, and has its own budget from the State budget to carry out its mandate. Moreover, the government provides the Commission, at its request, with competent electoral officers. 223. Moreover, Organic Law No. 12-01 of 12 January 2012 on the electoral system provides for the use of transparent ballot boxes and indelible ink, and the obligation of the Administration to provide sufficient reasons for every rejected candidature. 224. Under the law, candidates have the right to receive, at polling stations, copies of documents produced during the election operation, including the official statement of votes, and the two (2) reports collating results in the commune and wilaya, and the collating is conducted by magistrates. 225. Also, the organic law reduces the eligibility age of candidates for the Council of the Nation (Senate) and the number of signatures of voters to be provided by presidential candidates. It also provides for penalties for any action against the transparency, integrity and regularity of elections. 226. Two (2) elections have already been organised under this new organic law, including the legislative elections of 10 May 2012 and the local elections, for the election of members of the communal and wilaya people’s assemblies, organised on 29 November 2012. 227. Regarding Organic Law No. 12-04 of 12 January 2012 on political parties, it is aimed at strengthening democratic pluralism and improving the provisions governing the creation of political parties and their relations with the Administration, transparency in the financial management of political parties and possible disputes between the Administration and registered political parties. Moreover, Organic Law No. 12-04 of 12 January 2012 on political parties guarantees the rights of the national community, by including provisions that are capable of preventing a repetition of the national tragedy, prohibiting the violation of fundamental freedoms, guaranteeing the democratic and republican nature of the State, and preserving 37