There is consensus among election analysts that the structure and functioning of election administration has a significant impact on the credibility of the Electoral Management Body (EMB) and its effectiveness in terms of service delivery. However, there is no single structure that fits all and works in every environment. EMB structures are, by and large, products of politico-legal and cultural traditions and the experience of the democratic evolution in different countries. Factors that determine EMB structures include constitutional and related legal frameworks, reform measures undertaken during transition periods, and the resource endowment of the country concerned.

The form of the EMB may result from a holistic design process. Equally, it may be a more or less appropriate graft onto an existing system of state administration. In post-colonial environments, it may be strongly influenced by colonial administrative patterns. While there are many variations of detail, there are three broad types or models of EMB.

Sub-sections of this chapter:  

• What is an electoral management body (EMB)?
• Independent Model EMBs
• Governmental Model EMBs
• Mixed Model EMBs
• What Can Be Expected of the Different EMB Models?
• Permanent and Temporary EMBs
• Centralised or Decentralised EMBs
• EMBs in Federal Countries
• Transitional International EMBs and National EMBs
• Representation of the EMB to Cabinet and the Legislature