It is common for some of the non-core potential functions, such as managing electoral logistics and training of electoral staff, of an EMB to be assigned in the electoral legal framework to another institution. It is also becoming more common for some non-core functions to be contracted out by an EMB – but this is a management, rather than a legal framework, issue. Functions that are often assigned in the legal framework to an institution separate from the EMB include boundary delimitation, voter registration, the registration and funding of political parties, electoral dispute resolution, the certification and announcement of election results, and voter education. If electoral functions are assigned to more than one institution, the legal and policy framework needs to be very clear on each institution’s functional responsibilities.

Advantages of assigning some electoral functions to institutions other than the EMB:

• May insulate EMB from some politically sensitive decisions (e.g. political party registration, electoral boundary delimitation).
• Allows EMB to concentrate on core functions.
• May locate electoral activities in institutions with higher relevant technical skills than the EMB’s, (e.g., audit functions, boundary delimitation)
• May result in successful bids for funding for functions that the EMB may find difficult to fund.
• May provide a check and balance on functions implemented by the EMB (e.g., electoral dispute resolution).

Disadvantages of assigning some electoral functions to institutions other than the EMB include:

• Other institutions may not have as much credibility as an EMB – or may not be structured or institutionally insulated – to undertake electoral functions in an impartial manner.
• There may be a lack of coordination and shared goals between institutions with different agendas.
• May locate electoral functions in institutions for whom these are not a high priority, and with little or infrequent electoral experience.
• May not be cost effective. It may also be difficult to identify funding expended on electoral functions, to prevent funds allocated for electoral functions being diverted to their activities.
• May be used as a tool to thwart the independent actions of an EMB refusing to take instructions from a government.