Political parties publicize
and promote their programs and put forth candidates to compete in elections. Parties
may provide balance in safeguarding election integrity by working to ensure
that other parties or candidates do not abuse the process, manipulate election
results or seek or receive preferential treatment. The vigilance of political
parties plays an important role in maintaining an honest electoral process.
Positive
Effect on Integrity
To ensure that their political
interests are protected, political parties and candidates can officially observe
the electoral process. Most political parties monitor the entire process,
including how the EMB is composed, how candidate and voter registration is
conducted, how other candidates and parties campaign, how voting and vote
counting proceed, and how results are announced. This enables them to identify
cheating, discrimination or other deviations from the regulations.
Unlike independent observers,
political party monitors usually have some authority to intervene in the
process if they believe laws or regulations are not being followed. Sometimes
they are asked to certify election documents (e.g., vote tallies) with their signatures. If they find they are
not allowed full and equal access to the process, they can file a complaint
with the electoral body; this helps electoral administrators or policy bodies
to identify problems and increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral
process.
Through their monitoring
activities, political parties and candidates play a balancing role throughout
the election process. Reports that bring to light a large number of
irregularities may spark public debate and trigger public support for electoral
reforms or corrective measures. Positive reports may allay public concerns
about integrity issues and foster public trust in the system.
Potential
Negative Effect on Integrity
The activities of political parties and candidates may also give rise to integrity problems because they have a stake in
the outcome of elections and compete with each other during campaigns. Political parties/candidates may attempt to bypass the
system or use unethical methods to win an election or challenge the election
results. Especially in countries in transition to democracy, a dominant party
may monopolize the media and receive preferential media treatment; or a ruling
party may misuse government resources for campaign purposes. In response, smaller
parties might boycott the process, claiming it was not fair or transparent.
In response, some electoral
systems employ a code of conduct to regulate the behaviour of political
parties, candidates and their supporters during an election. Codes of conduct
should be adapted to the special circumstances of each electoral system. In established
democracies, where campaign financing may be an issue, ethical codes contain
detailed instructions on what should and should not be done during campaigns.
In emerging democracies, the codes focus mainly on ruling out the use of
violence and promoting acceptance of election results.
