What is Comparative Data?

Comparative Data provides a systematic collection of how countries manage their elections. By presenting information about electoral systems, electoral management, legislative framework, voter registration, voter education and other related topics in a wide range of countries, users are able to compare, and identify common practice within electoral administration. Online, this unique data collection complements and enriches the body of electoral information currently being accessed on the ACE Electoral knowledge Network.

In addition to providing comparative information, this site is also designed to provide electoral country profiles, useful for electoral observation missions, media, and international organisations. Users are able to determine how the country's practices match or divert from regional/global practice.

What does Comparative Data cover?

The survey covers 11 election related topics (matching the existing topic areas on the site ACE Encyclopaedia). These are:

• Electoral Systems
• Legislative Framework
• Electoral Management
• Boundary Delimitation
• Voter Registration
• Voter Education
• Parties and Candidates
• Voting Operations
• Vote Counting
• Media and Elections
• Direct Democracy

Where does the data come from?

The data is originally from EPIC project.  The information available on the site is compiled through a comprehensive multiple-choice survey about national elections on a country-by-country basis. The multiple-choice aspect of the survey allows for comparative statistics. However, at the same time there are provisions for entering more in-depth information in a comments section following each question.

What is EPIC?

The first phase of the Electoral Process Information Collection (EPIC) project (www.epicproject.org), including research on 25 countries, was finalized in December 2001. The initial research was mainly done by researchers working from the headquarters of the partner organisations (IFES, UNDP and International IDEA). In January 2002, the project entered into its second phase, which includes research on more than 60 countries. The EPIC partners embarked on a regional approach in order to build both local ownership of the project and a more effective research process - the research was conducted by local researchers from twelve established regional hubs around the globe.

Who provids and collects the data?

At the time being the data is being collected by the original EPIC hubs, who collect data from their respective regions. However, in the near future EPIC hubs will be invited to become Regional Electoral Resource Centres (RERCs) for the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network - and will as such continue to collect data and materials in addition to other tasks such as providing case studies, facilitating capacity development initiatives and developing a regional network (see Regions & Countries: Regional Electoral Resource Centres).

How is the data analysed?

Regional Electoral Resource Centres, as well as EPIC hubs, work in close cooperation with Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in respective countries. This close association is deemed essential to optain first-hand informatuion and for the Comparative Data to be a truly authoritative source.

International IDEA will produce an EPIC Handbook with University of Montreal -analysis of the data which has been collected so far is in progress.