A press conference is a means of conveying more information than can be carried in a single press release.  It is also a way providing a venue for all media to gather and ask news questions of an EMB during one occasion.  As such, press conferences are also good opportunity to place senior officials in the election administration before the public (in the form of the media) to explain the electoral process.

Broadcasters like press conferences, of course, because a press release will only give them "white copy" - that is, a story with no picture or sound. At a press conference, broadcasters will be able to record and film. If a customized Media Centre is available, then this will make the practical requirements of broadcasters easer to meet. (Establishing a Media Centre is further explored below). Otherwise, the organizers of a press conference will have to prepare for the needs of television and film crews, radio journalists, and photographers.

A usual format for a press conference is for the spokesperson, a commissioner, or other representative of an EMB to make a statement, which is then open to questions from journalists. Someone other than the official making the statement should chair the press conference. It is useful to establish a clear timeframe for the conference (and to start promptly - journalists have deadlines). A chairperson should ensure that journalists from a variety of different media, with different political viewpoints, have a chance to ask questions. Sensitive and balanced chairing will create a trust between the media and the authority holding the press conference.

A Media Relations Department should ensure that any senior EMB official is adequately informed of media trends surrounding issues that both intended to be discussed at the press conference as well as those that are not.  This is because journalists may bring up other issues, or maybe just questions that the official is not prepared for.  A Media Relations Department may also want to provide talking points to officials who are speaking to help guide the discussion and provide a reference point for specific messages.

Speakers at press conferences should also be skilled in deflecting questions, declining questions, or changing the subject, if topics seem inappropriate or disruptive to the context of the press conference.  This skill walks a very fine line; evasion of questions can also be counter productive, fuelling suspicion or accusations. Speakers should also constantly uphold the ethical code of members of an EMB, in terms of neutrality, transparency, and accessibility.