Summary: Structuring of Electoral Management Bodies
- Elections are complex and specialised processes which are more effectively managed by a body with specific electoral management responsibilities.
- An Electoral Management Body (EMB) is an institution or body founded for the purpose of managing one or more of the essential elements of electoral management , which include :
- determining who may contest an election
- determining who is eligible to cast a ballot
- conducting balloting
- counting votes
- aggregating voting results
- Essential and other electoral tasks may be conducted by a single body, or be allocated to multiple bodies.
- There are three broad models of EMBs:
- Independent Model
- Government Model
- Mixed Model
- A key characteristic of an Independent Model EMB is that it is institutionally independent from the executive branch of government. A Governmental Model EMB, on the other hand, is part of and accountable to the executive branch of government. Mixed Model EMBs typically consist of a component similar to the Independent Model, with varying policy and/or monitoring powers, and an implementation component similar to the Governmental Model.
- Each EMB Model has some basic attributes, but also many variations. The behaviour of EMBs depends not merely on the Model used, but on other electoral framework, social, cultural, and political factors.
- There are many types of electoral management bodies within the three broad models. EMBs may be permanent or temporary, and may be centralised or decentralised to varying degrees. Each structure has its advantages and disadvantages that need to be carefully assessed according to the country’s conditions.
- Special coordination considerations may be necessary for EMBs in federal countries, and in transitional environments where an international presence on the EMB may assist in conflict management.
- EMBs preferably have a line Minister representing their views to Cabinet, and a multi-partisan Committee of the legislature dealing with electoral matters.
- No matter what Model is used, all EMBs need to follow some guiding principles, which include independence of decision-making and action, impartiality, integrity, transparency, efficiency, and service orientation. These principles are sometimes more fully achieved under an Independent Model EMB.
