Legal Framework

Topic IndexChapter Summary

Electoral reforms are changes targeted at improving implementation of the guiding principles of electoral administration described in Chapter 1.
Electoral reforms may be directed at the electoral legal framework — including the EMB — the administrative and technical processes of electoral management, or the political context for electoral activities.
No aspect of electoral frameworks, systems, institutions, planning, management or operations is immune from reform or modernization. EMBs need to have a clear strategy for developing or responding to and implementing electoral reforms.
EMBs have vital roles as advocates of electoral reforms in general, as implementers of institutional reforms, and as initiators and implementers of administrative reforms, including technical reforms.
Electoral reform needs to be carefully managed to ensure that it fulfills its purpose without confusing electors and with minimal disruption to electoral administration.