1. Direct and active participation by men and women in political life is a requirement of, and a fundamental instrument for consolidating, the democratic system. 2. The law shall promote equality in the exercise of civil and political rights and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender for access to political positions. Section 64 (Principle of Renewal) No one shall hold any political office for life, or for indefinite periods of time. Section 65 (Elections) 1. Elected organs of sovereignty and of local government shall be chosen by free, direct, secret, personal and regular universal suffrage. 2. Registration of voters shall be compulsory and officially initiated, single and universal, to be up-dated for each election. 3. Electoral campaigns shall be governed in accordance with the following principles: a) Freedom to canvass; b) Equality of opportunity and treatment for all candidacies; c) Impartiality towards candidacies on the part of public bodies; d) Transparency and supervision of electoral expenses. 4. Conversion of the votes into mandates shall observe the principle of proportional representation; 5. The electoral process shall be regulated by law. 6. Supervision of voters’ registration and electoral acts shall be incumbent upon an independent organ, the competences , composition , organization and functioning of which shall be established by law. Article 66 (Referendum) 1. Voters who are registered in the national territory may be called upon to express their opinions in a referendum on issues of relevant national interest. 2. A referendum shall be called by the President of the Republic, following a proposal by one third, and deliberation approved by a two thirds majority, of the Members of the National Parliament, or following a well-founded proposal by the Government.