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Who Organizes Elections?
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These topic pages provide a quick overview and easy access to all content that can be found on ACE for any give topic of interest - weather encyclopaedia files, electoral materials, comparative data, consolidated replies, case studies, or other.
ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK
Legal Framework
Boundary Delimitation
Electoral Systems
ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION
Gender and Elections
Parties and Candidates
Disability and Elections
Media and Elections
Civic and Voter Education
Direct Democracy
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT
Electoral Management
Cost of Elections
ELECTORAL INTEGRITY
Electoral Integrity
Campaign Finance
Measuring Electoral Quality
Election Observation
Electoral Assistance
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Voter Identification
Results Management
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Document Actions
Table of Contents
Electoral Management
Electoral Management
Introduction
Introduction
Overview
Context
Who Organizes Elections?
What is an Electoral Management Body (EMB)?
Who Organizes Elections?
The Independent Model of Electoral Management
The Independent Model of Electoral Management
The Governmental Model of Electoral Management
The Governmental Model of Electoral Management
The Mixed Model of Electoral Management
The Mixed Model of Electoral Management
What Can Be Expected of EMBs under the Different Electoral Management Models?
What Can Be Expected of EMBs under the Different Electoral Management Models
EMBs' Attributes under the Three Broad Models of Electoral Management
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Three Different Electoral Management Models
Permanent and Temporary EMBs
Centralized or Decentralized EMBs
EMBs in Federal Countries
Transitional International EMBs and National EMBs
Representation of the EMB before Cabinet and the Legislature
Some Guiding Principles for All EMBs
Chapter Summary
The Legal Framework: The Context for an EMB’s Role and Powers
The Legal Framework: The Context for an EMB’s Role and Powers
International and Regional Treaties and Agreements
International and Regional Treaties and Agreements
The Constitution
Electoral Laws: Acts and Ordinances
Electoral Laws: Acts and Ordinances
EMB Rules, Regulations and Proclamations
Chapter Summary
The Composition, Roles and Functioning of an EMB
The Composition, Roles and Functioning of an EMB
EMB Membership
EMB Membership
Status of EMB Members
The EMB Chair: A Special Role?
EMB Members: Respected Experts or Watchdogs on Each Other?
EMB Members: Respected Experts or Watchdogs for Each Other?
Multiparty-based EMBs
Expert-based EMBs
EMBs with Both Expert and Multiparty Membership
Advantages and Disadvantages of Multiparty, Expert and Combined EMBs
Full-time or Part-time EMB Members?
How Many EMB Members?
Term of Office of Members of Permanent EMBs
Recruitment and Appointment of EMB Members
Recruitment and Appointment of EMB Members
Recruitment Through Open Advertisement
Appointment of EMB members
Qualifications for Appointment
Conditions of Service and Security of Tenure for EMB Members
Conditions of Service and Security of Tenure for EMB Members
Oath/pledge-taking or Affirmation
Internal Regulations
EMB Decision-Making Processes
EMB Decision-Making Processes
Meetings of EMB Members
Meetings of EMB Members
Closed or Open EMB Meetings
EMB Member Committees
EMB Members Relationships With The EMB Secretariat
EMB Members' Relationships With The EMB Secretariat
Chapter Summary
The Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of an EMB
The Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of an EMB
EMB Powers and Functions
Extent of Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
Extent of Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
Direct Democracy Instruments
Functional Divisions between Electoral Institutions
Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
Registration and Funding of Political Parties
Election Campaigns
Voter Education and Information
Validation of Election Results
Electoral Observation
International Activities
Electoral Dispute Resolution
EMB Responsibilities as a Public Organisation
EMB Responsibilities as a Public Organization
Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest
EMB Responsibilites to Promote Democracy and Equity
EMB Responsibilites to Promote Democracy and Equity
Gender Balance
Ethnicity
Broad-based Access
Chapter Summary
Planning and Implementing EMB Activities
Planning and Implementing EMB Activities
The EMB Secretariat and the Public Service
The EMB Secretariat and the Public Service
Structuring the Secretariat
Organizational Structure Charts
Organizational Structure Charts
How to Develop an Organizational Chart
Model Secretariat Structures
Strategic Planning
Operational Planning
Operational Planning
The Electoral Calendar
Chapter Summary
The Development of Professional Electoral Management
The Development of Professional Electoral Management
Staffing of EMBs
Use of Public Service Staff for EMB Secretariats
Permanent and Temporary Staff
Employment Conditions: EMB-Specific or Public Service Staff
Staff Pensions
Career Patterns of Professional Electoral Officers
Procedures for Recruitment of EMB Staff
Procedures for Recruiting EMB Staff
Staff Training and Development
Procedures for the Appointment of EMB Secretariat Staff
Staff Training and Development
EMB Organizational and Staff Development for Permanent Staff
Using International Experience
Mentoring
Education and Development Courses for EMB Staff
Operational Training
Training Materials
Factors that May Inhibit EMB Professionalism
Chapter Summary
The Financing of EMBs
The Financing of EMBs
What Electoral Costs Need to be Financed?
What Electoral Costs Need to be Financed?
Who Finances EMBs and How?
Who Finances EMBs and How?
Donor Funding
Donor Funding
Other Sources of EMB Funding
Budget Formulation Methods for EMBs
Budget Formulation Methods for EMBs
Budget Formulation and Approval Process
Availability of Budget Funds
Control of EMB Funding
EMB Procurement Policies and Procedures
EMB Financial Control Measures
Asset Management
Records Management
Principles of EMB Financial Management
Chapter Summary
EMB Stakeholder Relationships
Stakeholder Relationships
Political Parties and Candidates
EMB Staff
The Executive Branch
The Legislature
Electoral Dispute Resolution Bodies
Judicial Bodies
Election Monitors/Certification Teams and Citizen and International Election Observers
Traditional Media
Social media
The Electorate
Civil Society Organizations
The Donor Community and Electoral Assistance Agencies
Secondary Stakeholders
Maintaining Relationships With Stakeholders
How To Deal With Difficult Stakeholders
Chapter Summary
Electoral Technology
Elections Technology in Recent Decades
Types and Main Features of Elections Technology
Selected ICT Concepts with Impact on Elections Technology
Election Technology Vendors
Voter Education and Public Information
Training and Expertise
Administrative and Operational Objectives
Issues of Electronic Voter Registration
A Brief Background of Electronic Voting and Vote-counting Systems
Chapter Summary
Assessing EMB Performance
Assessing EMB Performance
Principles and Best Practices for EMB Accountability
Stakeholder Accountability
Consultation and Communication
Performance Accountability
Performance Accountability
Internal Performance Accountability
External Performance Accountability
Financial Accountability
Financial Accountability
Internal Financial Accountability
External Financial Accountability
Accountability for the Use of Technology-based Systems
EMB Assessment Mechanisms
EMB Assessment Mechanisms
Internal Quality Controls
Auditing EMBs
Auditing EMBs
Performance Audits
Performance Audits
Methodology and Scope of a Performance Audit
Performance Audit Outputs
Financial Audits
Programme Evaluation by EMBs
Post-election Reviews
Peer Reviews
External Oversight Issues
Chapter Summary
EMB Sustainability
EMB Sustainability
Why Is EMB Sustainability Important?
Why Is EMB Sustainability Important?
Needs Assessment
Electoral Sustainability and Donor Support
Practices Favouring Sustainability
Staffing for Sustainability
Office Systems
Electoral Materials
Structural and Technological Sustainability Implications
Automated Voting and Counting Processes
Chapter Summary
EMB Networks
EMB Networks
National Electoral Networks
Regional EMB Networks
Global Electoral Networks
Electoral Support Networks
Chapter Summary
Reforming Electoral Processes
Reforming Electoral Processes
Failing EMBs
The EMB’s Role in Electoral Reforms
The Scope of Electoral Reform
Managing Electoral Change
Risks Associated with Electoral Reform
Chapter Summary
Elections and Youth
Elections and Youth
The Case of Ghana
The Case of Kenya
The Case of Nigeria
The Case of Namibia
The Case of South Africa
Annexes
Annex
Glossary
Bibliography
Contributors
World Survey: EMBs in 217 Countries and Territories
Case Studies
Afghanistan: An Electoral Management Body Struggles to Deal with Executive Interference
Armenia: Electoral Administration in South Caucasus
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Challenges of an Independent EMB Model
Cambodia: Lack of Confidence in the National Election Committee
Canada: Stability, Independence and Public Trust
Costa Rica: The Supreme Tribunal of Elections
Haiti: a Crisis of Credibility
Kenya: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
Liberia: The National Elections Commission
Mexico: A Sophisticated Scheme for Addressing a Serious Distrust Issue
Nigeria: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Norway: Governmental, Decentralized and Trusted
Senegal: Sub-Saharan Multiparty Elections
Seychelles: A New Electoral Commission
South Korea: An Independent and Neutral Electoral Management Body
Sweden: Governmental in Form, Independent in Practice: A Decentralized Election Management System
Timor-Leste: Election Administration
Tonga: A New Commission in a Small Island State
The United Kingdom: Electoral Governance in Transition?
The United States Administration of Elections: Decentralized, Pre-modern and Contented
Tunisia: The Independent High Authority for the Elections
Fiji: A New System Under Pressure
Republic of Georgia: A Commission in Tranistion
India: The Embodiment of EMB Independence
Iraq: International Institution Design
Japan: Mixed Model Electoral Management for a Mixed Parallel Electoral System
Lesotho: Building a Reputation
Spain: Mixed Model Electoral Management Becomes Well Established
Mozambique: A Need for Depoliticization
Ukraine: The Long Road to Politically Independent Election Administration
Uruguay: The Electoral Court - A Fourth Branch of Government?
Vanuatu: Limitations to the Independence of the EMB
Yemen: An Emerging Independent EMB
Zimbabwe: A New Era in Election Management
Using Performance Benchmark Standards to Improve Electoral Management
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