This publication contains six reports presented at a seminar organised by the Venice Commission, within the framework of the Romanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, held in February 2006. Going beyond simply avoiding irregularities during the vote or the counting of ballots, these papers discuss key issues involved in order for an election or referendum process to be considered truly democratic, including respect for fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression, assembly and association; equal access to the media; financing of electoral campaigns and political parties.