UNDP has, over the years, developed an extensive understanding and experience in
providing technical assistance and support to the conduct of democratic elections, as
part of the Democratic Governance practice area. A key support area is the procurement
of electoral items, ranging from ballots and ballot boxes, to ink, stationery, and lately,
biometric voter registration equipment as well as services.
UNDP has recently increased its focus on the crucial pre-polling period of planning and
budgeting, which also reflects an increasing concern over how public funds are managed
in general; recognising that the procurement of electoral material and services is one of
the most expensive parts of an electoral budget.
Procurement in UNDP is guided and must be conducted in accordance to specific
principles, processes, procedures and best practices applying at all levels from strategy
to operation. For instance, in UNDP electoral assistance projects, a competitive tendering
process must be undertaken unless detailed outlined in the ProDoc, including a separate
budget line and supportive proposal, and then vetted by UNDPs LPAC.8 Such process will
be in any case guided by specific procedures and rules.
Similarly to other entities conducting public procurement, UNDP uses principles and
procedures that help in streamlining the procurement processes, mitigating risks, ensuring
optimal quality of the process and the result.
