EMBs’ widespread use of the technology found in typical office automation suites — word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, etc. — can either be a risk to, or a foundation of, sustainability. Such tools need to be supported by rigorous practices and rules for their use, the main aim of which should be to ensure that information is systematically retained and stored, and is available to current staff as well as their successors. If this is done well, large volumes of data may be able to be accessed reliably and quickly. But if it is done badly — particularly if it is left to individual staffers to manage the documents and information they produce or receive — important information may not be accessible when needed. This can be a particular problem if critical communications are being sent to the EMB in the form of emails to individual officers. There can be a high risk of a failure to put the necessary procedures in place when a new EMB is appointed to run an election under tight time constraints, and short-term priority is given to immediate operational requirements rather than to the development of appropriate office systems.
