Procurement Aspects of Introducing ICTs solutions in Electoral Processes

Topic IndexProcurement Challenges in Electoral Assistance

An electoral procurement process aims at delivering all requested goods and services of the required quality, quantity and standards within the established timelines for the agreed price.

An electoral procurement process may face number of different challenges:

Timely disbursement of funds available for procurement purposes
Staffing the procurement unit with competent staff. Staff should have a clear understanding of materials and services required. When foreign consultants (perhaps from UNDP) are working on procurement, they should possess country specific knowledge such as, for example, the need for water resistant, solar energy/long lasting batteries/generators for remote areas, language requirements, and so forth
Coordination between the various actors involved, local stakeholders, especially the EMB, and including international organisations (if providing technical assistance to the procurement process)
Ensure that the procurement process complies with the legal framework of the country
Clear and early development of requirements and specifications (where politically and legally possible) for electoral goods and services ensuring confidence among all stakeholders that the procured items are appropriate
Achieving the support and buy-in of all stakeholders for the procurement process
Familiarisation with published and approved practices developed within the particular area
Examination of potential technological and skills transfer to EMBs, rather than only seeking “total” solutions
Cost-effectiveness through a transparent and competitive process
Exploration of long-term sustainability and its relation to operational costeffectiveness and quality assurance, and possibly alignment with other similar national initiatives and expertise
Well planned and well organised management of the supply chain, including transportation and delivery in-country, packing, in-country distribution, interim warehousing at both central and regional level for various types of material, as well as secure storage in-between elections
Consideration of environmental aspects, including disposal
Avoidance of unrealistic expectations that cannot be met in a timely fashion, or in subsequent elections.

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ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK

ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION

ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT

ELECTORAL INTEGRITY

ELECTORAL OPERATIONS

Procurement Aspects of Introducing ICTs solutions in Electoral Processes