The Question
This question is posted on behalf of Tihana Bartulac Blanc, member of the ACE Practitioners' Network

I am developing an online curriculum and am looking for examples (in transitional or post-conflict contexts) on the topic of internal elections conducted by non-governmental organizations, student councils, professional associations, etc., for the purpose of selecting leadership or determining other issues pertinent to the organization’s governance. My research is not about the internal elections of political parties.

Has anyone provided advice on such internal elections, or do you know of individuals or bodies that have done this? If so, could you share case studies/descriptions, manuals, or other useful information and/or materials?

What were some of the issues? How are such elections different from elections for public office?

Please note that I am looking for examples exclusively in emerging democracies.

Summary of responses
The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) provides electoral advice and balloting services to a range of associations and organisations. Its services include the implementation of such elections or aspects therein, such as polling and counting. There are specifically trained staff members and training materials for these balloting and election services within EISA. Also in Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission of Kenya has been conducting elections with the Law Society of Kenya and various student bodies.

In Bhutan, the Election Commission has been assisting schools and colleges conduct elections.

External Resources
• The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Development in Africa (EISA) 

Names of contributors
1. Silvia Nyaga
2. Belinda Musanhu
3. Jorgen Elklit
4. Ilona Tip
5. Kunzang Wangdi

Very common in Kenya now - Law Society of Kenya and University Student Bodies - The Independent Electoral Commission has been conducting these elections.

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Development in Africa(EISA) conducts elections and provides electoral advice and  balloting services for student bodies, trade unions, pension funds, community based organisations and government and quasi state bodies in South Africa.  For more information contact the organisation. you can find them at www.eisa.org.za and look under Balloting and Electoral Services.

I can see that Belinda has already provided my answer, namely that EISA also has a lot of experience in this particular field, so I support her advice strongly!

Best

Jørgen 

As Belinda indicates above ,The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in AFrica(EISA)'s Balloting and Election Services offers such a service to a range of associations and organisations including political parties, trade unions, community organisations, student representative bodies, university councils pension funds, provident funds, Boards of Trustee elections etc and has been conducting independent elections for these associations for over 15 years. EISA is called upon as an independent organisations. Services include running the election from nomination phase to conclusion of the count, or overseeing polling and counting only etc depending on what is required. Elections may be on sight or postal elections for example when conducting large scale pension or provident fund elections where there may be up to 400000 members

This is may be a requirement contained in the constitution of an organisation or institution that an election has to be conducted by an external body or may be a preferred choice of the institution/organisation especially where the contestation is sensitive.

EISA has a body of trained staff  external to the organisation on whom EISA calls aside from its own core staff.  EISA has developed training materials for training its own staff which includes a Code of Conduct for its BES electoral staff.

Elections are conducted in very much the same was that conducted by a national electoral body, with strict rules and procedures agreed to by the contracting party, This includes observers being present on election day including the count. Many organisations and institutions utilise these services as they want to ensure that their own internal governance systems are transparent and credible. 

website www.eisa.org.za if you want further information as indicated by Belinda and you will be directed to the appropriate person for further information

Ilona

The Election Commission of Bhutan has been encouraging schools and colleges to apply the similar electoral procedures for their intra institutional elections. The Chamber of Commerce, Colleges ans sports Federations have also sought our expertise to help conduct their elections. Increasingly more entities see the merit of secret ballot and conduct election in the manner the parliamentary and local government elections are being conducted in Bhutan. It  has direct benefit for the Election Commission too in that it complements and supplements voter education and helps teachers  becoming aware of the Election system as many are engaged for polling duties during the elections in different capacities.

Sincerely, Kunzang