This section covers integrity issues related to administration of the electoral process. Potential integrity issues are identified for each step in electoral administration, from organizing election management to publishing official results. Also included are integrity mechanisms that may be used to address the issues that arise during the various operations. The steps examined include: election management; voting system; districting; election calendar planning; voter education; voter registration; registration of parties, candidates and lobbyists; the electoral campaign, including problems related to political financing; voting; counting and tabulation; complaints and appeals; and announcement of official results.

Despite its technical nature, election administration can become politicized. Control and manipulation of the electoral apparatus are among the tools most often used by non-democratic governments to ensure their continued success at the polls. In addition, electoral administrators themselves may be suspected of acting in the interests of the government, or a particular party or sector of society.

Inexperienced election commissions may also be suspect. Their members may be little known or untested. Seasoned politicians and parties may take advantage of this situation.

Distrust of the electoral apparatus persists in many countries and is one of the main reasons for instituting additional safeguards, particularly monitoring by political parties and civil society. Distrust may also justify reinforcing the structure and management of electoral administration, and has provided the impetus for creating independent commissions.  In the words of one commentator:

“This distrustful attitude towards leviathan controlling of the organization of elections explains today’s consensus on the need to have, at the core of election management, an independent election commission, as well as . . . independent election management bodies in new democracies.” [1]

For an election to be perceived as free and fair, it must be administered professionally and neutrally. A well-organized, credible electoral administration can dissuade those opposed to the process from undertaking fraudulent or discriminatory actions, and can help build trust in elections and electoral institutions.