The main electoral management
body (EMB)[1] is
responsible for administering elections. Such bodies are expected to fully,
fairly and impartially implement the norms, regulations and procedures contained
in the legal framework. This involves dealing with technical issues, as well as making
decisions about policy-related matters.
In many countries, the main
EMB is also authorized or required to issue electoral regulations, including
those with binding force over some or all of the following: Election officials
and workers, political parties and candidates, party/candidate representatives
and supporters, voters, and other government officials. (The main EMB also usually develops specific procedures
for such matters as voter and candidate registration, voting, and vote
counting.)
To fulfill its primary role of
holding credible elections, an EMB generally carries out the following tasks:
Administer
the electoral process in full accordance with the law
Electoral administrators are
expected to administer the process impartially and in accordance with all legal
requirements. The laws must be upheld and the EMB should be fully accountable
for its implementation of them.
If there is a problem with the
law, the electoral management body would be expected to bring it to the
attention of the proper authorities for consideration/correction rather than
selectively implementing the law, which can lead to serious integrity issues.
Maintain
a professional, neutral and transparent administration
Professional and transparent
administration of the process is an essential ingredient for building trust.
Decision-making and operations should be as accurate and transparent as
possible. The electoral management body should also comport itself in such a
way that it is perceived as independent and impartial; otherwise, it will lose credibility.
To avoid the perception of favouring a particular outcome, actions of the
administration should be transparent and must provide as much information as
possible and in a timely manner to political parties, candidates, the media,
observers and the public.
The International Institute
for Democracy and Electoral Assistance has developed a model code of conduct
for electoral administrators to help them maintain election integrity.[2]
Adopt
procedures to safeguard the integrity of its operations
The internal management and
operational procedures adopted by the EMB have a significant impact on the perceived
integrity of the electoral process. The procedures that are adopted and implemented are generally
recorded and regularly made available for public information and inspection.
The relevant procedures usually cover every aspect of electoral administration,
including election management, internal management, recruitment and
supervision, and operating procedures, including rules for procurement. (For
more detailed discussion of mechanisms to protect integrity at every stage of
administering an election, see Integrity in Election Administration.)
Identify
and assess integrity risks, and take preventive or corrective action
EMB internal management and
operational procedures could include mechanisms for identifying integrity
risks, assessing them, and ensuring that the proper persons or agencies are
contacted and corrective action is taken as soon as possible. An EMB will often
need to ensure it has a functional mechanism for receiving and dealing with
complaints made by political parties, observers or oversight agencies. This is
an important factor contributing to the integrity of the electoral system and
promoting accountability on the part of administrators and participants.
Promote
voter awareness of electoral integrity
To the extent possible, the EMB
should provide information to citizens about the electoral system, the
mechanisms safeguarding its integrity and the need for citizens to take an
active role in the protection of their electoral rights. Such information may
be distributed through press briefings, voter education programs and civic
education programs in schools.
[1] For
convenience, the initials EMB are used for election management bodies; kindly consider
the context in determining whether EMB refers collectively to such bodies at
various levels or chiefly to the main EMB.
[2] International Institute for Democracy and Electoral
Assistance, Code of Conduct for the Ethical and Professional Administration
of Elections, 1997
