in 2002, the Commission declared the following as essential elements of democracy:
* Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
* Freedom of association
* Freedom of expression and opinion
* Access to power and its exercise in accordance with the rule of law
* The holding of periodic free and fair elections by universal suffrage and by secret ballot as the expression of the will of the people
* A pluralistic system of political parties and organizations
* The separation of powers
* The independence of the judiciary
* Transparency and accountability in public administration
* Free, independent and pluralistic media