International intervention in the election process could occur through:
• a request by the host government in situations where financial or operational knowledge resources are insufficient to conduct an election of acceptable quality;
• the negotiated imposition by elements of the international community of an election as a conflict resolution mechanism following internal conflict or international conflict.
Political Context
Voting operations for elections that take place following international intervention will be subject to particular potential environmental considerations:
Heightened international scrutiny: That is likely to be focused on election activity.
The mandate of international bodies: Whether conducting, assisting with or observing election processes, this needs to be clearly defined. Whether the mandate is organisational, supervisory, advisory or observation will impact on how and where decisions are made during voting operations and on the attitudes and cooperation of local election administrators and voting station staff.
The roles, reporting structures, and chains of command of the various international and local organisations need to be clearly understood by all participants. Best practice requires that final decision making rests with the electoral management body, as does control over financial decision-making.
It would generally be preferable if local ownership of voting operations can be maintained, and international assistance used to develop sustainable systems, transfer skills and monitor implementation.
The structure of international assistance: How and where it is recruited and financed, and what particular societal values it attempts to impose in the host country?
The presence of international bodies may create the impression that elections will be free and fair. In many environments it may not be possible to fulfil all societal groups' expectations in this regard, which may create further post-election problems.
Particular care needs to be taken when international organisations with some management role in an election, either through organisation or de facto supervision of election processes, are also charged with passing judgment on the freedom and fairness of these same processes.
Awareness of the limitations of international assistance will assist electoral administrators in ensuring realistic expectations.
International Imposition of Elections
Where international intervention has imposed an election solution, particularly following a period of intense conflict, there are other potential environmental factors that will need to be considered:
• an intense polarisation between elements or communities within the society, often between former powerful elements and newly enfranchised voters or institutions attempting to enhance levels of freedom and fairness in elections (with a potential for active or passive resistance from existing state agencies in preparing an equitable voting environment;
• heightened security risks, to both personal safety and the integrity of voting, that may require intensive precautions;
• an imposition of a new voting system or the extension of the right to vote that will require concentration of resources on information campaigns;
• a resource base that is insufficient for voting requirements either through neglect or devastation.
