Most EMBs have ICT departments that are tasked with operating at least the standard ICT solutions used by the institution. Larger ICT departments can play a leading role in the development, introduction and maintenance of specific elections technology. However, with more complex electoral solutions, private companies provide an increasing share of the development and operational work and related expertise. Therefore it is important to delineate the areas of responsibility between the EMB and the vendor, and ensure that knowledge and skill transfers to EMB staff takes place. Capacity building should be part of the vendors’ deliverables.
With electoral technology being introduced down to the polling station level, EMBs’ need for ICT capacity goes far beyond the ICT department. All levels of permanent and temporary election staff increasingly use technology in all aspects of their work. Efficient training for using elections technology requires at least basic computer literacy. ICT training from scratch is costly and time consuming, and the availability of a pool of computer-literate election workers is a key success and cost factor in the deployment of elections technology.
When ICT is used in crucial steps of the electoral process, there is a growing expectation that the EMB’s IT expertise is not limited to its technical departments. Election commissioners, spokespersons and other high-ranking EMB staff are increasingly expected to understand and explain technical details of the electoral process with just as much confidence as any other operational or legal aspects. With the introduction of electronic voting, countries such as the Philippines recognize the need for technical expertise at the commission level and put more emphasis on ICT skills when selecting commissioners.
