Voter education can have a major impact in supporting electoral integrity. Voter education programs disseminate balanced and objective information on what citizens need to know in order to exercise their right to vote. They provide information on voters’ rights and obligations in the electoral process. They also explain the importance of voting. In some countries voter education is an integral part of overall civic education programs.
Importance of a Democratic Culture
Building a democratic culture can play a key role in promoting and protecting free and fair elections. That is why in many democracies voter education starts in elementary school as a feature of basic civic education programs. This prepares students to understand the part they can fulfill in a democracy when they become eligible to vote. It also enables them to relay important information to their parents.
Education as a Means for Preventing Integrity Problems
Voters need to understand their rights and duties under the constitution and election law of their country so that they can meet their obligations in a responsible manner. Informed, responsible voters help safeguard electoral integrity. They do not make false statements that might disrupt or prevent an election. They do not act illegally, intimidate other voters or try to tamper with the election results. They turn out to vote in an election because they understand the importance of participating.
Without appropriate education, it can be hard to prevent vote buying or vote tampering through intimidating tactics, especially in countries with high unemployment, low incomes and security problems. Voters may not be aware of their rights or the mechanisms that are used to protect the secrecy of their vote, or of what motivates vote buyers.
A good education program will tell voters about their rights, how to exercise them and how the system works. It may also explain the effects of corruption and the need for integrity in the public service and the electoral process.
Neutrality in Education
Voter education should provide factual information so that voters can participate knowledgeably. In a neutral way, programs should explain when, where and how to register and vote; the documents that must be shown; and how to mark a ballot so that it is valid and will be counted. If voter education has a political content, it becomes propaganda that may sway opinion and is intended to build support for a specific candidate or platform.
In most democracies, electoral administrators are responsible for ensuring that all citizens receive this basic information and that it is presented in a non-partisan manner. In some systems, administrators may be assisted by civil society groups or non-governmental organizations. In South Africa, anyone wishing to provide voter education must be accredited by the Electoral Commission. During the 2005 elections in Iraq, military personnel appeared in the televised voter information campaign, and their participation may have created a false perception of education programs. Iraq’s Independent Electoral Commission was not aware of this initiative, but it had not set out specific instructions prohibiting the involvement of certain players in public information campaigns. [1]
NOTES
[1] International Mission for Iraqi Elections, Final Report: Assessment of the January 30, 2005, Election Process.
