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