A/HRC/30/26 restrictions, such as proof of residence or identity documents requirements, are likely to prevent them from exercising their right to vote.43 35. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals around the world face multiple obstacles to assert their right to participate in the conduct of public affairs including as a result of discrimination, stigma, violence, legal sanctions and arbitrary restrictions on their freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.44 In addition, since identity documents are a pre-requisite to effective enjoyment of many human rights, including electoral rights, transgender persons who are unable to obtain identity documentation that reflects their preferred gender are de facto disfranchised.45 IV. Best practices and experiences with respect to the right to participate in political and public affairs 36. This section compiles best practices and experiences as reported by States, as well as from other sources, on different forms of political and public participation. Public participation processes have a number of benefits, including improved quality of policy and legislative decisions that are reflective of real needs and enriched with firsthand experience and expertise; enhanced potential for their successful implementation; and ultimately, increased public trust in State institutions.46 A. Right to vote and to be elected 37. The features of electoral systems, including candidate lists, district size and threshold levels, can have a major impact on inclusiveness and on the number of persons from underrepresented groups elected to office.47 Ghana reported that its Representation of the Peoples Law provided for dividing the country into smaller political units to facilitate public participation. In an effort to facilitate voting for all individuals concerned, many States have adopted alternative ways of voting, such as mobile polling stations, postal voting, and advance voting. Australia deploys remote mobile polling teams across the country — by road, air and sea — so that people in remote areas, including indigenous communities, can vote. Poland created separate electoral districts at hospitals, social welfare facilities, detention facilities and students’ halls of residence. 38. Electronic voting, if accessible and when guaranteeing the secrecy of the ballot, may also contribute to breaking down the barriers hindering political participation, notably of persons with disabilities, and to increasing turnout. In Estonia, all voters can vote electronically in any election from their homes or another location anywhere in the world. The electronic voting website also provides support for persons with visual impairments. 39. Many States have adopted quotas for underrepresented groups to attenuate conditions that perpetuate substantive inequalities. In recent years, gender quotas have been introduced in countries where women historically had limited participation in politics, as in 43 44 45 46 47 10 Human Rights Committee, general comment No. 25, para. 11; see also contribution from International Organization for Migration, pp. 2–3. A/HRC/29/23, paras. 48–49, 60–63. See contribution from the Legal Resources Centre; and A/HRC/29/23, paras. 69 and 70. See contributions from the European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law and International IDEA. See contribution from United Nations Department of Political Affairs/Electoral Assistance Division. See also International IDEA, Overcoming Political Exclusion: Strategies for marginalized groups to successfully engage in political decision-making (Stockholm, 2013), p. 16.