The status, function, and activity of an election management body (EMB), as with any arm of government, is influenced by the social and political context within which it operates:
- the level of democratic consolidation and political stability,
- literacy rates,
- urbanisation,
- population,
- mobility,
- affluence,
- culture,
- traditions, and
- many others
The ethical principles of election administration should, nevertheless, be capable of being fulfilled whatever the economic, social, and political conditions. If they are not, the very basis of the democratic process will be brought into question.
In established democracies, administration and management of elections are often carried out by officials of the national or local government, and disputes are settled in ordinary courts. Traditions of fairness and neutrality mean that both the EMB and the courts enjoy the confidence and respect of the participants in the electoral process.
The context of election management also includes a country's history. Many developing countries have electoral practices based on the electoral laws of former colonial powers; many countries in Africa, especially, can show direct linkage to the legal tradition of the former colonial power.
In the cultural context, traditional methods of decision making that have been handed down for hundreds or even thousands of years tend to influence people's perceptions of the electoral process and should be taken into consideration by electoral policy makers and election officials.
The ability of the EMB to discharge its functions is also critically dependent on the social context of the country. A number of factors are tied to the EMB's functions, including literacy rates, costs and availability of local labour, electricity, and other utility supplies. For example, a country that is poorly endowed may opt for a temporary and centralised election administration, while an affluent country may have permanent and decentralised election management. The same goes for the conditions of service for EMB members and staff.
Voter education is particularly influenced by literacy. In countries with low literacy rates, the use of party symbols has had a significant impact in making the campaign and the voting process more easily understood by the electorate.
If there is no electricity, or an undependable supply, or poor broadcasting facilities, information for voters must be disseminated by means other than radio or television. Election managers may need to set up their own radio network for administrative purposes, using shortwave radios to link local, regional, and national election offices, if telephone service is unavailable or unreliable.
Computerisation can take a great deal of the monotonous routine out of election work, improve the flow of management information, and improve the speed and quality of the whole process. To work effectively, though, computer systems need a guaranteed power supply (to the point that even large back-up generators are usually advisable as a cautionary measure) and a trained workforce. The cost of the computer system, including all the related equipment, must be measured against the cost of employing and training as necessary a local work force to meet the needs of the election management body.
The procurement of supplies is an area in which there are more and more companies able to supply ever more highly specialized equipment and supplies, at a cost. Local suppliers may be able to supply many items, such as voting screens, at the best final cost if realistic specifications are set, if adequate time is available, and if the process is properly managed. In some places such as Honduras (1993), voting screens are simply pieces of fabric tacked across the corner of a room.
The social and political context is especially relevant in any consideration of election security. In some countries such as Peru (1993), the military or police are seen as allies of the civilian population in an ongoing struggle against terrorists, and their participation in the electoral process is therefore welcomed by the people. Elsewhere, the voters may perceive any military involvement in the electoral process even in the delivery of equipment and supplies to be almost sure evidence of an intent to defraud the process, in which case other measures may be needed to deliver necessary materials and ensure the security of the process.
