Ethical behaviour is essential
to election integrity. Standards for ethical behaviour vary depending on the
social and political context of each country. However, some common principles
are universal for ensuring confidence in the way elections are conducted.
The requirement of proper ethnical behavior also applies to all participants in an electoral process. However electoral
administrators and others involved in election administration, in particular, must adhere to
their country’s constitution and laws, which provide the framework for their
efforts. Electoral administrators and election officers must perform their
duties for the public good, and must not use their position for personal or
partisan gain.
Codes of Conduct
Many electoral systems
formalize principles of ethical behaviour related to elections in codes of
conduct. Codes of conduct vary by system and country, but there are often
specific codes for candidates, political parties, election officials and
workers, as well as the media and accredited observers.
Codes incorporated into the legal
or regulatory framework have official binding force. They may specify procedures
leading to penalties and sanctions for violations. Other codes set forth standards
of behaviour, which participants are expected to follow voluntarily. Some codes
specify procedures for alleged violations to be reviewed by code
signatories. Many codes of conduct are
the outcome of negotiations among stakeholders in the electoral process.
The following standards of
ethical behaviour are among those used in elections around the world:
Standards
for Electoral Administrators and Election Officers
- Uphold the constitution
and abide by the legal framework, its rules and regulations.
- Maintain a neutral
approach in performing the duties of office. This includes not giving any
preferential treatment or displaying political party logos, symbols or
colours.
- Do not accept anything of
value (money, offers of employment, gifts, travel, etc.) in exchange for
preferential treatment or access to official or non-public information.
- Do not discriminate
against anyone on the basis of race, colour, religion, class, gender,
national origin, age or disability.
- Hire staff for their
professional skills, not political connections or affiliation.
- Use office facilities
(time, space and equipment) to perform official duties, not for personal
or partisan purposes.
- Do not pressure other
officials or personnel to favour a particular candidate or party , and refrain
from intimidating them from doing so.
- Disclose financial
information on a regular basis, as required by law.
- Inform the appropriate
authorities of cases of waste, fraud, abuse or corruption.
Standards
for Political Parties and Candidates
- Abide by the legal
framework and electoral regulations.
- Reject all violence, and
do not incite supporters to violent or criminal behaviour.
- Respect the rights of
other parties and avoid interfering with other campaigns. Limit negative
campaigning and personal attacks on other candidates or their supporters.
- Respect the right of
voters to obtain information. Do not pressure them to vote for a
particular party or candidate, and do not intimidate them from doing so.
- Respect the right of the
media to cover campaigns.
- Facilitate the work of
domestic and international observers, and do not obstruct monitoring by
other political parties.
- Abide by the official
election results.
Standards for Interest Groups
- Abide by the legal
framework and related regulations.
- Maintain a professional
approach in dealings with other participants in the electoral process.
- Fully disclose funds
spent during lobbying activities, as required by law.
- Reject all violence,
harassment or intimidation directed toward other participants in the
electoral process.
- Respect the right of
voters to obtain political information. Do not pressure them to endorse or
vote for a particular party or candidate, and do not intimidate them from
doing so.
- Respect the right of the
media to carry varied political reports on the campaign, and to present
opposing opinions and advertisements.
- Accept the official
election results.
Standards for Observers
- Respect the laws of the
country and the legal framework for elections.
- Obtain accreditation
before entering electoral sites.
- Observe and monitor in a
professional and neutral manner that does not disrupt the electoral
process.
- Act in accordance with
international standards and best practices on conduct by international and
national observers.
- Refrain from intervening
in the voting or other observed electoral process, and seek only to obtain
further information and necessary clarification from election officials
when a law or electoral procedure appears to be violated or ignored.
- Disclose the observation
goals and objectives in reporting on all dealings with political actors,
the public and the press.
- Report accurately and
without exaggeration, after observing enough of the process and visiting
sufficient electoral sites to ensure that the report is representative of
the actual situation.
- Remain strictly independent (non-partisan).
Standards for the Media
- Respect the laws of the
country and the principles of freedom of the press.
- Ensure that voters have
access to news about the electoral process.
- Provide accurate and
balanced reports and commentaries that are based on substantiated facts
and figures, identify sources, and distinguish between fact and rumour.
- Label opinions as such,
and limit them to the editorial or opinion pages.
- Avoid being manipulated
by politicians, political parties or special interest groups.
- Do not accept gifts or
favors from newsmakers, politicians or others that might compromise
journalistic integrity.
- Avoid bidding for stories
or paying for information.
- Provide equal treatment
to all political advertisers, including on access and rates.
- Clearly label advertising
so that it is not confused with news content or editorial opinion.
