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.