Education may seem to be a distance from the traditional role of electoral management bodies to prepare for and undertake the logistical requirements of an election but increasingly this is an active area for such bodies because there is recognition of a direct linkage: “For an election to be successful and democratic, voters must understand their rights and responsibilities, and must be sufficiently knowledgeable and well informed to cast ballots that are legally valid and to participate meaningfully in the voting process.”[i]  In post-conflict situations the challenges and opportunities may be even starker. In fact, failing to provide the information necessary to participate in elections in a way that is fulsome and timely, “may, by omission, constitute an unreasonable restriction on the exercise of electoral related rights.”[ii]

When speaking of education in the context of electoral processes, two related but different concepts emerge. First, there is the notion of “voter education” which is most directly related to electoral management bodies informing voters of how to go about all the technical aspects of an election including being registered and voting. “Civic education” may be understood as a broader term intended to increase the population’s knowledge of principles and features associated with government, such as the political system.

The purpose of civic education and voter education campaigns is often not purely informative, but aims also by encouragement and incentive to increase overall engagement in the election and voter turnout specifically, although some electoral laws formally prohibit such purpose. It is essential that civic education and voter information campaigns respect the principles of objectivity, transparency, equality, pluralism and neutrality of electoral authorities. Some legal orders include an explicit prohibition against using voter information and civic education campaigns to direct voters towards a specific candidate or political party. In such a framework, one of the functions of electoral administration bodies is to regulate voter information and civic education campaigns carried out by the government in order to prevent partiality, such as acts that may prejudice the public interest or the regular function of public services.

As electoral processes are more and more institutionalized and increasingly conducted in compliance with rules, voter education becomes a more prominent task in the activities of the electoral bodies. Voter education programs will target all voters but special attention should be directed to historically marginalized or disadvantaged groups of voters as, “Any special measures likely would not be considered discriminatory because they support the fulfillment of the State’s duty to ensure the rights of groups who suffer (or have historically suffered) discrimination.”[iii]  As well, low turnout groups such as youth are often specifically targeted.

A strong voter education program is critical to ensuring the free participation of qualified voters in genuine elections.  This initiative, however, “is most effective when linked with a programme of civic education that puts the election into context for voters and provides an explanation of the election’s purpose, the surrounding issues, and their significance.”[iv] A main channel for civic education is the school system beginning with pre-voting age youth and preparing them with concepts that one day will have expression in the act of voting.

Informing and educating voters also implies greater voter participation in electoral processes.  While voter turnout is a very complex phenomenon with many variables, as Elections Canada reports on Canada’s Democracy Week 2012 Website, “Studies in Canada, the United States and Australia demonstrate that civic education has a positive impact on key factors associated with voter turnout, such as political knowledge, interest, attitudes, civic participation and intent to vote.”[v] Thus, education in the framework of a democratic culture becomes more and more necessary. It requires building a political culture in which all members of a community, from an early age should assimilate and be informed of democratic values ​​that citizens should share and spread. Therefore, in addition to the educative role that ordinary social stakeholders, such as the family, schools and meeting places can play, electoral authorities should play a significant role.

It is, of course, important that as electoral management bodies increasingly take on a role in civic and voter education that sufficient funding is provided in order that programming will be adequate and sustained over time.  In some jurisdictions in Canada, for example, funding for voter education is expressly provided for by a direct draw on the treasury without need for an enabling vote.  However, in all instances including budgeting considerations, there is value in the efforts of electoral management bodies being supported by like-minded initiatives by the public and private media, political parties, and non-governmental and international organizations playing a vital role.[vi] Elections management bodies must take the lead however, as they are uniquely qualified to provide technical, credible and non-partisan voter information on a timely basis as it is needed.

One other way to encourage efficiency in this area is to share lessons learned and best practices.  On this front, a major cross-national study on civic education, the Civic Education Study (CIVICED), is currently being carried out under the auspices of International IDEA and l'Université de Montréal, Canada and is targeted for completion in 2012. The  study draws upon questionnaires completed by civic education specialists in over 35 countries in order to compile a database to serve as a resource for researchers, policy makers, educators and academics around the world.[vii]

Increasingly legal frameworks are recognizing the role of electoral management bodies related to voter education. Not only do electoral authorities have the technical  competence to add value to voter education but also there exists an inherent obligation to contribute to such an important undertaking that may eventually be translated into political participation.