In most electoral systems, one
or more bodies are responsible for official oversight and supervision of
election administration. This may be a separate office within the main EMB (such
as an auditor or inspector general) or a separate institution,
including a legislative committee, court or special statutory body. Examples of a separate institution
are the Commissioner of Canada Elections, Mexico’s
Federal Electoral Tribunal, and the constitutional courts of Austria, Croatia,
Germany, and Romania.
Inspector-general or auditor-general
offices can provide oversight of the electoral process on a regular basis. In
some systems, they work together with electoral administrators to improve
management and the electoral process; this is part of their mandate to ensure
efficiency and accountability, promote savings and curb waste, fraud and abuse.
This type of oversight can help managers identify systemic deficiencies and
make corrections to ensure compliance with all regulations and achievement of
intended results.
An inspector-general or an
independent oversight commission may also investigate complaints made by
employees or other participants in the electoral process. The complaints may be
allegations of misconduct or mismanagement, illegal activities, waste, abuse of
authority, or public safety or security threats.[1]
[1] See
Comptroller General of the United States, Government
Auditing Standards, 2003 Revision
