Provisions in the law regarding public funding to candidates and political parties should be effectively implemented prior to the commencement of the campaign period. Small parties and a much needed new generation of politicians would have the chance to contest elections on a more levelled playing field. Public funding of parties and candidates is a fundamental tool to strengthen competitive democracy and allow a pluralistic participation.

Introduce efficient mechanisms regarding political party requirements verification. The law stipulates that parties are required, as part of their internal organization, to have the approval of their members, or of a representative assembly, of the party’s statutes and programmes. Party’s presidents are elected by the membership and statutes are nondiscriminatory. Party identification, symbol and flag are unique and not phonetically or graphically similar to state entities or symbols. Contesting political parties inform the Supreme Court of Justice, 90 days prior to legislative elections, on their number of members. Dissolution of parties, due to lack of a minimum of 1,000 members, is mandatory by law although not verified. In order to avoid the proliferation of political parties, the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) should have a stronger mandate and means to verify the compliance of legal requirements by the political parties. A STJ-designated task force could be formed in cooperation with the School of Law to analyse party requirements within the given timeframe of 90 days prior to polls, leaving the final decision to the Supreme Court plenary.

The armed forces have historically interfered in the political life of the country since its independence. All presidents, with the exception of those named for transition governments, were deposed by military coups. It is essential for the consolidation of democracy in the country the submission of the military to the civil power. In this context, domestic and international institutions should strongly support the efforts of the EU Security Sector Reform mission, which has the de-politicization and ethnic balance of the armed forces among its objectives. Although the military have since the presidential election in 2005 adopted an off-politics attitude and contributed for the peaceful and orderly environment of the past electoral cycle, its ethnic composition is still a concern for many political analysts and politicians.

As public service with a crucial role in the Guinean society, the state-media need to have the proper conditions to carry out their job in a professional manner. The Guinean Government should establish a section on the national budget to guarantee that TGB, RDN and Nô Pintcha receive the required funds not only to cover payments of salaries and per diems, but also to create the technical, logistical and financial conditions that allow the public media to satisfy the right of Guineans to be properly informed.

Both public and private media could make a stronger effort, especially during electoral campaign period, to avoid accepting monetary support by political parties in order to get their activities covered. Although the financial and logistical limitations on the Guinean media sector are huge, these are bad practices that clearly jeopardize the independence and neutrality of the journalists.

A revision on the Electoral Law in order to establish clearer provisions on access of political parties to free airtime in the media would be advisable. Although in practice the access to free airtime programs (Tempo de Antena) is only applied to the public electronic media (RDN and TGB), article 37 of the Electoral Law does not specify that distinction, referring only that political parties have access to airtime “on radio and TV.”

A complete set of election related legislation and subsequent regulations should also be made available to the public through publication on the Election Commission’s website.

A broad national debate should consider reforming and simplifying the electoral system so as to accommodate the need for workable and accountable political representation while ensuring affirmative action and inclusiveness of social and regional groups in Nepalese society.

The Election Commission should undertake a nationwide capacity building programme for its permanent field structures. It should also continue to consolidate long term activities including civic education, increasing the professionalism of staff, and the quality of voter registration.

There is the need for increased consistency of the regulatory provisions in areas pertaining to polling and counting procedures that should limit the prerogatives of Returning Officers in their interpretations and ensure a more uniform approach throughout the country.

The Election Commission should ensure polling stations are situated in accessible locations, particularly in remote areas, where access to polling stations was difficult for some communities. Improved access should also be provided for the disabled.

Legal provisions pertaining to the requirement that political parties guarantee internal party democracy and ensure inclusive decision-making at all levels should be monitored so as to ensure effective compliance with legal provisions.

The provisions for the possibility of the de-certification of a candidacy and suspension of political rights should have greater guarantees of access to due process for defendants in independent and impartial courts.

A comprehensive review of the voter register is required to ensure greater inclusiveness, reliability and accuracy. The modernisation of the civil registry and the introduction of a secure national identification card scheme are essential to improve the quality of the voter register for future elections. Combined improvements of the voter and civil registries should be planned in the medium term.

Political parties and associated groups should make a real commitment to end the culture of coercive campaigning and ensure their campaigns reflect the provisions of the Code of Conduct and allow voters freedom of choice in whom to vote for.

Law enforcement agencies should strengthen their capacity to guarantee law and order in an impartial manner. The Election Commission, the police and the public prosecutor’s office should take a more proactive approach to resolving breaches to the law. They should also allocate adequate resources to ensure effective implementation of the legal framework. The creation of a special task force attached to the police, with sufficient resources to guarantee prompt and effective investigations of offences linked to the electoral process, should be considered.

A comprehensive review of the legal framework should be undertaken to provide a legal system for the media sector that respects key elements of the principle of freedom of speech, whilst at the same time provides for greater legal certainty. The new constitution should include provisions for protecting freedom of the media in line with the highest international standards in this field.

An independent regulatory authority should be established to regulate the audiovisual sector. This authority’s mandate and powers should be established in law and it should be supported by an impartial and adequately funded secretariat to undertake the management of this institution. Key positions in this authority should be made transparently and without political interference.

The government should ensure greater access for the media to public records in order for journalists to report on policy making decisions and provide greater transparency and accountability in government by introducing the modalities for the Freedom of Information Act.

Add a day of training solely for counting and closing procedures; appoint special election workers to administer the special election day; offer refresher training during the campaign

Limit intimidation and conflict during the campaign and on election day

Review electoral authorities/governing legislation to streamline agencies and ensure consistency; reconsider role of Constituted Authority and lower threshold for recommending cases

Strengthen campaign law and consider measures, such as public financing and disclosure of private contributions, to reduce the impact of money on politics.

Formalize and institutionalize conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms

Complete constitutional review and electoral reform process