Relationship between Parties and Candidates and the Electoral Management Body

This section deals with the relationship between the Electoral Management Bodies (EMB) and the political parties and candidates as key stakeholders in the electoral process. Since the parties and candidates are involved in every step of the electoral process, it is in the interest of both the EMB and the parties and candidates to maintain close relations and regular meetings throughout the process.

The section "Parties and Candidates as Stakeholders" will discuss how political parties may perform their function as key stakeholders in the electoral process, depending on how intense their involvement in the electoral management is. The type of relationship between political parties and candidates and the EMB differs between countries. In some, parties may be important parts of the election commission itself, while in other cases they are only involved through consultation mechanisms. For more information on the types of involvement of parties and candidates in the EMB, read the section "Types of Involvement".

Consultative meetings can be formalized through Party Liaison Committees or similar bodies.

Parties and Candidates as Stakeholders

When the Electoral Management Body (EMB) designs and implements its policies and activities, it needs to take into account the concerns and needs of political parties and candidates. Parties and candidates are key stakeholders in the elections – they are the ones carrying out campaigns, monitoring the process, and ultimately gaining or loosing elected office. It is in the interest of both the EMB and the parties and candidates to maintain good relations throughout the process. Unless the EMB has an open-door policy and treats all parties and candidates equally, its policies and programs will attract opposition and criticism that will make it difficult for the EMB to enjoy widespread support. Regular joint meetings with political parties – at least one per month and perhaps more frequently during an election period – can provide a framework for this mutual communication.

It is important that political parties be involved in consultations about setting the EMB’s strategic objectives and in evaluations of its performance. As a key customer, political parties’ and candidates’ opinions on the EMB’s focus, priorities, and service provided are a useful ingredient in improving electoral management. During election periods, regular consultation with political parties and candidates can promote agreement on the EMB’s timetables, processes, and outputs, as well as ensure that parties and candidates remain fully informed of all aspects of the electoral process. After each election, it is useful for the EMB to include political parties in general consultations with stakeholders on how to improve the electoral framework.

The type of relationship that the political parties and candidates may have with the EMB differs between countries. At times, parties form part of the election commission itself, while in other cases, there are even few consultation mechanisms.

Types of Involvement

Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) can legitimately be constituted in a non-partisan way, in a multi-partisan way, or through a mixture of both. The same holds true for boundary delimitation committees. The type chosen determines the extent to which political parties and candidates are involved.

• Non-partisan Electoral Management Bodies

In non-partisan EMBs, political parties and candidates have no representation. The persons on the board are there in their capacity as election administrators, trusted public figures, election experts, or other professionals seen as impartial and independent of political powers.

• Multi-partisan Electoral Management Bodies

Many countries, especially those that experienced difficult transitions from authoritarian rule to multiparty democracy, have opted to use what are called multiparty-based or partisan EMBs. The fight against authoritarianism in these countries may have polarised society to the extent that it is difficult to find public figures widely accepted as ‘independent’ to serve on the EMB for a transitional election. Multiparty EMBs comprise a mixture of political party nominees and may also include some technocrats, such as judges, academics, and career public servants.

There is a belief among some electoral analysts that having political party representatives on the EMB engenders consensus among actors in the electoral contest and contributes to enhanced transparency, all of which lead to improved confidence in the electoral process. On the other hand, a political party-based EMB can imperil or cripple decision-making, especially in situations where vital party interests are at stake and members are unwilling to reach workable compromises. The presence of politicians on the EMB may undermine confidentiality in matters such as the security of balloting materials. Multiparty-based EMBs also tend to generate dissatisfaction, especially among minority parties which might be excluded from sitting on the EMB, either because they are not represented in parliament or they did not participate in the negotiation leading to the initial appointments of EMB members.

• Mixed Electoral Management Bodies

Some electoral legal frameworks specify that the EMB’s members should be partly drawn from independent experts and partly from appointments by political parties. This may merge advantages from both models, producing even-handed bodies that have both political party buy-in and transparency in operations.

This ‘mixed’ model can be implemented in various ways. For instance, a standing EMB made up of 5 members of the legal profession could be augmented for election periods by 3 members of each of the majority and opposition blocs in parliament, all with equal voting rights. Thus only if opposing political tendencies agree can the independent members be outvoted. Another option could be that the EMB is a permanent body comprising 8 expert members, with a representative of each parliamentary group in the legislature and of each national political party as non-voting members.

Political Parties Liaison Committee

The organisation of elections necessarily requires the EMB to be in contact with political parties through their organisational structure, their candidates, agents, and other party volunteers. The EMB plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the election process, but it must be remembered that political parties have a similar role to play in ensuring fairness of the process and engendering confidence in the system by playing by the rules and, in particular, the acceptance of results. The EMB should establish a process whereby there is a regular contact with political parties. During non-election periods, communication may be in the form of letters, briefing notes, newsletters, or circulars supplemented by quarterly meetings.

Once an election is called, party representatives should be invited to attend a pre-election briefing where such issues as:

• election timetable
• allocation of broadcasting time
• media monitoring arrangements
• polling place allocation
• party rally arrangements
• nomination process
• election day arrangements
• counting of the votes

can be discussed.

Agreement among the political parties to any code of conduct or, in the absence of such a code, agreement to play by the rules, may be a useful tool for the EMB to use to demonstrate a public commitment to fair elections. Whether or not parties play a role in any aspect of election implementation, there is a strong argument to be made for weekly or regular meetings at all levels between election administrators and party representatives and those of independent candidates to ensure that the parties and candidates have a clear understanding of the process and are generally satisfied with the process. This becomes particularly important when last minute changes, however justified, are made (for example, the late addition of polling stations, voters list alterations, or revised boundary delimitation). Meetings of this type also provide the parties with the opportunity to make comments and suggestions, air complaints and concerns, and “let off steam”. This can serve to resolve situations before they become major issues as well as to develop mutual sensitivity and understanding between parties and electoral officials.

An “advisory” or “consultative” committee can be provided for in the electoral law. Such provisions would stipulate the establishment of the group, comprising one or more representatives from each party or independent candidate, require regular meetings with the commission or at least a dedicated subcommittee, and give them certain rights (such as the inspection of documents).