As with the
internal electoral process, the system to be used for external voting needs
careful planning and implementation. It also needs to be methodically
coordinated to ensure that all electors are treated equally under the relevant
election law. The cost per voter for external voting will be higher than the
cost for in-country voting but the budget will have to be integrated so that
there is no discrimination against the external elector.
External
voting adds complexity to the process but is a necessary part of extending the
franchise to all eligible electors. ‘Today we have come to assume that
democracy must guarantee virtually every adult citizen the right to vote’ (Dahl
1998: 3).
Although
flexibility is important in order to meet the challenges, all decisions must be
in compliance with the law. External voting, properly administered and
implemented, will facilitate the democratic process and, in the case of refugee
populations, encourage unity and reconciliation.
