This section considers the role of integrity in the electoral process. Integrity is an important factor in both the administration of free and fair elections and in the participation of political parties, candidates, interest groups and voters.
The purpose of competing in an election is to win public office and to gain power and influence over public policy and state resources. Elections are the result of a complex process that requires the participation of a multitude of actors, each with different roles and agendas. Elections result in winners and losers. Everyone wants to be the winner, few want to be the loser. Stakes can be high as can be the temptations to ensure a certain win through unethical or illegal means.
Integrity is inherent in the principles of a democracy and is an integral part of free and fair elections. Free, fair and competitive elections are the basis for a representative form of government. Without integrity, there is no guarantee that the will of the voters will be reflected in the election results. Elections could be fixed, predetermining winners and losers. Elections could be disrupted, undermining candidate or voter participation and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the results. An election without integrity defeats the purpose of a democratic election and cannot be considered free and fair.
Integrity is an ethical code of behaviour as well as a system of mechanisms adopted to protect the honesty and viability of the process. Electoral integrity requires:
- a generally accepted code of ethical behaviour in politics;
- an electoral framework that is equitable and fair;
- fair, transparent and impartial administration of the elections;
- political freedom to participate freely and equally in an atmosphere without fear;
- accountability of all participants;
- built in mechanisms, including monitoring by civil society and a free media, to safeguard integrity and ensure accountability; and
- enforcement.
Each of these requirements will be looked at in-depth in the sections to follow.
Election corruption is usually thought of as political corruption-- manipulating the process to ensure the election of a particular candidate, party or position. However, economic corruption enables political corruption and, therefore, both need to be addressed. Those interested in subverting the system could bribe a corrupt election official for special treatment or to actually fix election results. Kickbacks and other personal financial incentives in procurement could inadvertently hurt election integrity through the purchase of substandard or nonexistent services. Or if it involved the selection of a dishonest company with a political agenda to print something as sensitive as ballots, it could deliberately and adversely affect election integrity.
Integrity requires a political will for good governance and 'clean' elections. Given the factional nature of politics and society, integrity cannot be taken for granted. Mechanisms to safeguard and enforce integrity need to be built into the electoral framework, electoral administration and conditions for participation. These include checks and balances on election administration within the electoral management body, oversight by another agency or branch of government, independent monitoring of the process by civil society and the media, and enforcement of rules and regulations through administrative or legal action.
Enforcement of integrity is especially important because without enforcement the best rules and regulations can end up as nothing more than good intentions. Identifying election corruption and stopping it through administrative or legal action acts as a deterrent to future corruption as well as a means to maintain the integrity of the current process.
The challenges to electoral integrity, and the mechanisms developed to protect the integrity of the election process, are described in the Election Integrity Chapter.
