Electoral policy and oversight policy encompasses matters of both policy
(such as the elections system in the broadest sense) and procedure (including
rules and regulations). Responsibility for adopting electoral policy varies in
different countries, but the Legislature plays a key role through enacting
related legislation. In some places, an electoral oversight or management body
is also responsible for drafting or reviewing proposed electoral legislation as
well as providing electoral oversight and supervision. (For example, the Electoral Commission of Solomon
Islands has the constitutional role of
vetting proposed electoral legislation before its submission to Parliament.)[1]
Adopting
policies that protect electoral integrity
In considering electoral
policy and the roles of various institutions in designing it, the following are
some of the issues facing policy-makers:
- Can the elections be competitive
and free?
- Are the dates set by the
electoral calendar reasonable?
- Do the legal and
institutional frameworks guarantee equal treatment and equal opportunity?
- Are electors able to
register and vote freely without unnecessary problems?
- Are all the votes that
have been cast counted correctly and reflected in the official results?
- Are political parties
able to register and participate in elections? Are they free to campaign
and get their message out?
- Do all parties and
candidates have equitable access to the media?
- Can candidates and
parties communicate their messages to voters without interference?
- Are electoral districts
delineated fairly?
- Is the formula for
distributing public resources (e.g. free broadcasting time or public
funding for campaigns) fair and implemented in good faith?
Drafting electoral
legislation that protects election integrity
If the electoral management
body is also responsible for reviewing or drafting laws, it should ensure that
any proposed legislation includes provisions necessary for protecting electoral
integrity. Among other things, electoral legislation should specify the role
and mandate of each institution involved, the powers it has to fulfill its
role, and the control mechanisms which apply at each stage of the process.
Oversight
of electoral integrity
Electoral oversight bodies ensure that the election
process is conducted in a neutral and transparent manner. Election participants
have the ability to convey their messages to voters and the results are an
accurate and faithful expression of the will of the voters. Such bodies should also
consider whether the public resources provided for the holding of elections are
sufficient and used to good effect, and that election officers are held
accountable for the way they manage funds, conduct the election and administer
the process
[1]
Constitution of Solomon
Islands (1978, as amended), Article 58
