An electoral policy body is responsible for developing both policies of principle and decision-making policies regarding the conduct of elections. The scope of its mandate will vary in different countries, but each must make policy decisions relating to the administration of elections. In some cases, an electoral policy body is also responsible for drafting electoral legislation and providing electoral oversight.

Various players may be involved in the policy- and decision-making process. For instance, if the mandate lies with Parliament, the electoral policy body may recommend legislative provisions and may help draft legislation. Electors, the media and other participants in the electoral process may also contribute by making known the values and principles that matter to them.

The electoral policy body’s role in protecting election integrity includes:

Adopting policies that protect election integrity

The electoral policy body must be able to fulfill its primary role in an independent and non-partisan manner. It must deal with questions concerning integrity policy.

• Are the elections competitive and free?
• Are the dates set by the electoral calendar reasonable?
• Do the legal and institutional frameworks guarantee equal treatment and equal opportunity?
• Are electors able to register and vote freely without problem?
• Are all the votes that have been cast counted correctly and reflected in the official results?
• Are political parties able to register and participate in elections? Are they free to campaign and get their message out?
• Do all parties and candidates have equal access to the media?
• Are electoral districts delineated fairly?
• Is the formula for distributing public resources (e.g. free broadcasting time or public funding for campaigns) fair and implemented honestly?

Drafting electoral legislation that protects election integrity

If the electoral policy body is also responsible for drafting laws, it must ensure that any legislation includes provisions for protecting election integrity. Among other things, legislation should specify the role and mandate of each institution involved, the powers it will have to fulfill its role, and the control mechanisms to which it is subject at each stage of the process.

Providing oversight to ensure that integrity mechanisms function correctly

When the electoral policy body is also responsible for acting as an oversight body, it must ensure that the election process is conducted in a neutral and transparent manner, and that the results are an accurate and faithful expression of the will of the voters. It may also ensure that public resources provided for the holding of elections are sufficient and used properly, and that election officers are held accountable for the way they manage funds, conduct the election and administer the process.