The EMB Secretariat
The EMB secretariat is the policy implementation component in all EMB models. In EMBs under the Governmental Model, the secretariat is almost always the EMB, and may also assist in making policy under the direction of the executive branch of government. In EMBs under the Independent Model, the EMB secretariat is the structure below the policy-making/supervisory EMB member level, and encompasses the officials in the EMB who are responsible for electoral implementation. Where the Mixed Model is used, the component governmental EMB is the secretariat, which has responsibility for implementation. The component independent EMB will also have a secretariat to service its own administrative needs.
Where the Independent Model is used, both the membership and the secretariat of the EMB are institutionally independent. Equally, where the Governmental Model is used, the membership (where it exists) and the secretariat are both part of the executive branch. Where the Mixed Model is used, the policy-making level is usually independent from the executive, while the implementation level is part of the executive branch, and usually lies under the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Justice.
The staff of the secretariat in EMBs under the Governmental Model and component governmental EMBs under the Mixed Model may be temporary appointments, undertaking other duties when there is no electoral activity. In EMBs under the Independent Model, the secretariat is generally headed by a full-time administrator, who has a title such as director of elections (Tanzania and Zambia), secretary-general (Burkina Faso, FYROM and Thailand), chief electoral officer (Afghanistan) or electoral commissioner (Australia). In some countries, for example Australia and Tonga, the head of the secretariat is also a member of the EMB.
