It is common for electoral legal frameworks to give the function of certifying and announcing election results to the EMB, and to prescribe a time period within which the results must be announced. In a few cases, these functions are given to the Constitutional Court, or a Constitutional Council. In Denmark, the legislature is responsible for validating the results of national elections.

The Chief Justice of Zambia is the returning officer for the presidential election and is thus responsible for announcing its results. The National Technical Committee on Elections which was set up following the 2001 general elections recommended that the EMB take over the function of returning officer for the presidential election.