Question:

This question is posted by ACE on behalf of Jasmina Dimitrieva

I am looking for models of Legal Services departments of the Secretariat supporting the state election commission. Specifically, what role does this body play in election dispute resolution?

Summary of responses:

Practitioners’ Network members discussed several examples of legal services divisions within the Secretariat supporting state election commissions. PN members noted that legal departments are standard in the Secretariats of electoral management bodies (EMBs), and there are two primary models for judiciary action: systems in which cases are litigated through the national court system and those with specific electoral dispute courts. 

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo the Independent National Electoral Commission has a legal team within the Secretariat which monitors election laws and, along with the court system, addresses electoral disputes. Colombia’s National Electoral Council administrates and monitors elections while electoral disputes are resolved by the Council of State, the judiciary branch specializing in administrative actions. In Kenya, constitutional revisions following the fallout from the 2007 election established the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which manages election administration and regulation. The Commission is responsible for electoral disputes relating to nominations (Constitution Article 88(4)(e)), while the Legal Services Division of the IEBC Secretariat is responsible for ensuring legal compliance in election administration and investigating complaints arising from breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct. The practitioner noted that the Legal Services Division also assisted in the development of campaign finance law and works with the commission to set campaign expenditure limits for political parties and candidates. 

In Zambia, the Electoral Commission has formed national and district-level dispute resolution committees whose members include political parties, law enforcement, government, faith-based organizations, and Commission members, with the Legal Department of the Commission serving as the Secretariat. These committees handle non-criminal violations of the electoral code of conduct and act as mediators in election dispute resolution; their objective is to provide a more efficient and cost-effective means of addressing grievances by reducing the number of electoral disputes in the court system. Election dispute resolution in Ecuador is divided into two bodies: (1) the National Electoral Council manages the logistics of preparing for and running elections and deals with administrative electoral disputes, and (2) the Electoral Dispute Settlement Court hears appeals from the National Electoral Council and creates legal precedent. The Court also has the ability to punish those who fail to comply with provisions governing funding, campaigning, spending, and other electoral regulations. Both bodies are established by chapter six of the constitution. 

The importance of sound legal services for electoral disputes is further highlighted by a PN member’s discussion of electoral disputes in Pakistan. Complaints are registered with state commissions and election tribunals, but a lack of timely action renders the system ineffective. The Commission appoints election tribunals to independently address legal petitions after elections.

PN members explained that these bodies serve to provide a transparent means of dispute resolution and ensure that election laws are followed. Timely and fair dispute resolution by a judicial body upholds the integrity of the electoral process and builds critical trust with election stakeholders. 

Contributing Members: 

• Kisimba Lumbwe Albert
• Nchimunya Michelo Silenga
• Jesús Antonio Castellanos Vásquez
• Francisco Morales Gomez
• Víctor Hugo Ajila Mora
• Francisco Barrera
• Praxedes Tororey
• Aysha Shujaat
• Sameer Dwaikat
• Atem Oben Henry Ekpeni

En RDC, la Commission électorale a en son sein un Secrétariat exécutif national qui assure l’administration électorale au quotidien. Au sein duquel un service juridique a été constitué pour traiter, de concert avec les cours et tribunaux, les avocats de la commission électorale, les questions liées au contentieux électoraux et celles liée à l’appui conseil aux propositions des lois relevant du processus électoral dans son ensemble. Outre ces questions le service traite en l’interne des droits et devoirs des agents afin d’orienter les décisions du management. 

In Zambia, the Electoral Commission has formed dispute resolution committees at national and district level whose secretariat is the Legal Department of the Commission. Compostion of these committees includes the Commission, political parties, all action stakeholders like Police, all democratic governance CSO, the church etc... among others. These Committees appiont a Chairperson who 'presides' matters. Most of the issues presented relate to defacing of posters, disruption of political rallies which usually just needs discussion among the grieved parties. However, if the case is criminal, it is then reffered to the responsible law enforcement agency. So far this system has helped in reducing the number of electoral dispute issues that are taken to court and also provides a quicker and cheaper way to resolve electoral dispute. The committees act as mediators in these EDR and Secretariat keeps a record of all disputes and resolutions that have been lodged in. 

Hola Heather

Me permito recomendar el trabajo de Solijonov sobre EDR. Electoral Justice regulations around the world. (2016) publicado por IDEA.

http://www.idea.int/publications/electoral-justice-regulations-around-the-world/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageID=77242

Así como dos trabajos sobre aplicación de EDR en el mundo:

1.- de Luis Carlos Ugalde. Resolution of electoral disputes. The 2006 mexican experience. (2006)

http://aceproject.org/ero-en/misc/global-elecotral-organisation-geo-conference-presentations/CarlosUgalde.pdf/view

2. Un breve articulo de mi autoría. Jesús Castellanos Vasquez. Resolución de disputas electorales. ¿Otra arista del proceso electoral? (2016)

http://efectococuyo.com/opinion/resolucion-de-disputas-electorales-edr-otra-arista-del-proceso-electoral

 

En Ecuador la Función Electoral se encuentra conformada por dos organismos; el primero llamado Consejo Nacional Electoral, que se encarga de la preparación logìstica del proceso electoral, desde la elaboración del padrón o registro electoral, hasta la promulgación de los resultados y posesión de dignatarios de elección popular, este organismo resuelve en área administrativa los conflictos electorales, con acciones de impugnación desde registro de organizaciones y directivas de los partidos y movimientos electorales, inscripción de candidaturas, resultados de comicios, adjudicación de escaños en elecciones unipersonales y demás conflictos propios del proceso electoral. Estas resoluciones que adopta este organismo, pueden interponer los sujetos políticos los Recurso de Apelación, Revisión, Queja ante el segundo organismo electoral, llamado Tribunal Contencioso Electoral que es un organismo jurisdiccional, esto es que administra justicia electoral en ultima instancia, fallos que tienen el carácter de definitivos de instancia ultima y crean jurisprudencia. Existiendo normativa clara con etapas preclusivas definidas y con la aplicación de todos los mecanismos de garantía de debido proceso. Se desarrollan audiencias publicas y se desarrolla el expediente en forma interna, incluso con dos instancias dependiendo del tipo de asunto que se vaya a resolver. Existen dos instancias por ejemplo cuando existen disputas al interior de las organizaciones políticas.

Hola Heather:

Sugiero iniciar el análisis considerando que un elemento importante para que las elecciones se consideren libres, transparentes, competitivas, es la existencia de un sistema de resolución de disputas electorales. En esto radica la importancia del sistema de resolución de disputas electorales.

En América Latina y en especial el Ecuador, se ha avanzado hacia un sistema mixto y especializado. Existe una instancia administrativa que se tramita ante el propio organismo electoral (Consejo Nacional Electoral); si lo que resuelve el organismo no satisface a una de las partes o a ambas, éstas pueden acudir a la instancia judicial electoral (Tribunal Contencioso Electoral) que es una instancia especializada donde intervienes jueces electorales. De este modo la disputa se resuelve en el marco del Derecho.

 

 

¿qué papel juega en este órgano de resolución de disputas elección?

SALUDOS  Heather

 

En Colombia, el tema electoral está atendido por dos organizaciones independientes que la constitución del 1991, las definió en los artículos 264 y 266, según le adjunto la parte correspondiente, pero a pesar que la Registraduría Organiza y ejecuta las elecciones, también ejerce cierto control que no hace el Consejo Nacional, que además las atribuciones son talvez más operativas que legales y de solución de controversias ya que estas se resuelven en el Consejo de Estado (sección quinta), que es otro órgano jurisdiccional del estado e independiente.   

 

CONTITUCION DEL 1991 -DE LAS AUTORIDADES ELECTORALES-

 

ARTICULO  266. Modificado por el art. 15, Acto Legislativo 1 de 2003. El nuevo texto es el siguiente: El Registrador Nacional del Estado Civil será escogido por los Presidentes de la Corte Constitucional, la Corte Suprema de Justicia y el Consejo de Estado, mediante concurso de méritos organizado según la ley. Su período será de cuatro (4) años, deberá reunir las mismas calidades que exige la Constitución Política para ser Magistrado de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y no haber ejercido funciones en cargos directivos en partidos o movimientos políticos dentro del año inmediatamente anterior a su elección.

 

Podrá ser reelegido por una sola vez y ejercerá las funciones que establezca la ley, incluida la dirección y organización de las elecciones, el registro civil y la identificación de las personas, así como la de celebrar contratos en nombre de la Nación, en los casos que aquella disponga.

 

ARTICULO  264. Modificado por el art. 14, Acto Legislativo 1 de 2003. El nuevo texto es el siguiente: El Consejo Nacional Electoral se compondrá de nueve (9) miembros elegidos por el Congreso de la República en pleno, para un período institucional de cuatro (4) años, mediante el Sistema de Cifra Repartidora, previa postulación de los partidos o movimientos políticos con personería jurídica o por coaliciones entre ellos. Sus miembros serán servidores públicos de dedicación exclusiva, tendrán las mismas calidades, inhabilidades, incompatibilidades y derechos de los magistrados de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y podrán ser reelegidos por una sola vez.

 

Parágrafo. La jurisdicción contencioso administrativa decidirá la acción de nulidad electoral en el término máximo de un (1) año.

 

En los casos de única instancia, según la ley, el término para decidir no podrá exceder de seis (6) meses.

 

ARTICULO  265. Modificado por el art. 12, Acto Legislativo 01 de 2009. El nuevo texto es el siguiente: El Consejo Nacional Electoral regulará, inspeccionará, vigilará y controlará toda la actividad electoral de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los grupos significativos de ciudadanos, de sus representantes legales, directivos y candidatos, garantizando el cumplimiento de los principios y deberes que a ellos corresponden, y gozará de autonomía presupuestal y administrativa.

 

Hi Heather, the Legal Services Directorate in Kenya is responsible for secretarial services to the Commission meetings by taking minutes, Ensuring Legal Compliance of the Commission, spearheading Electoral Legal Reform, management of litigation, Petitions by liaising with external Counsel, development/review of contracts, leases, agreements Enforcement and management of disputes arising from breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct... this will include investigation of complaints.... regulation of Political Parties by developing guidelines for nominations. It also developed the law on Campaign Financing and helps the Commission in setting of expendirure limits for campaigns for Candidates and Political Parties. The Constitution Art 88 (4)e provides that the Elector all Commission is reposible for settlement of electoral disputes relating to or arising from nominations... but excludes disputes subsequent to declaration of election results.

Hi Heather, the Legal Services Directorate in Kenya is responsible for secretarial services to the Commission meetings by taking minutes, Ensuring Legal Compliance of the Commission, spearheading Electoral Legal Reform, management of litigation, Petitions by liaising with external Counsel, development/review of contracts, leases, agreements Enforcement and management of disputes arising from breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct... this will include investigation of complaints.... regulation of Political Parties by developing guidelines for nominations. It also developed the law on Campaign Financing and helps the Commission in setting of expendirure limits for campaigns for Candidates and Political Parties. The Constitution Art 88 (4)e provides that the Elector all Commission is reposible for settlement of electoral disputes relating to or arising from nominations... but excludes disputes subsequent to declaration of election results.

In Pakistan election disputes are categorized as complaints and petitions. Prior to and during elections the disputes are registered directly with the state commissions (they are branches of the central commission) and unfortunately little action is reported. The complaints are tracked for administrative purposes but little support is reported from the Secretariat in terms of complaints management. 

For legal petitions, the Commission appoints elections tribunals which independently handle the disputes post elections. IFES Pakistan produced a handbook on the process in 2008, see attached. Although not recent, the process has not changed. 

Of course, the task of the legal department in the work of the election very importany because the election commissions do not only on the implementation of the electoral law and the constitution as a constitutional institution, but to ensure the integrity and transparency of the elections absolutely.
It functions:
Consider objections.
Preparation procedures
Review the material
Providing legal advice
Defending the Commission in court
Adjust management personnel and directors and the protection of the Commission of legal abuses

Provide any legal service
Rating
Accounting
Referral of those involved to court corruption and others.

EMBs are established to independently and transparently implement electoral laws that have been passed and enacted into law as may be required by the constitution of every country. Legal compliance of every EMB action is critical to building trust with election stakeholders.  Every message, voter registration procedure, publication and verification of voters roll, design and production of voter cards, design of candidate nomination forms, party and campaign finance compliance, design and production ballots, electoral operation deadlines, polling operations including the transmission and publication of results must be in compliance with the law. All of these including aspects like procurement, contracts and personnel issues require a legal lens. The legal department is key to not only defending the EMB in court but also ensuring the EMB does not go to court for failure to with the law. This explains why in Cameroon besides having a legal department, the EMB has made it a duty to appoint court magistrates at all levels of the vote tallying process (Council Supervisory Commissions, Divisional, Regional and the National Final vote counting commissions). The interpretation of the law by legal minds is critical to avoiding contestations, misinformation that may as a consequence lead to disputes/conflicts and possible electoral violence