Election policy is a reflection of the Social and Political Context of each country. Policy is an important factor when it comes to developing the legislative and regulative framework for elections as well as ensuring an adequate allocation of funding for election administration. It also determines the parameters for participation by political parties and candidates, and sets the tone for the type of elections held in each country.
A free and fair election requires a general consensus on the rules of the game and the value of electoral integrity. A good impartial election policy will help establish an electoral environment that is conducive to holding free and fair elections.
A general consensus on election policy by the major political and civil actors minimizes one of the primary causes of integrity problems-- fundamental disagreements over how and when the elections should be held. This problem is most frequent in post-conflict societies or in countries undergoing a democratic transition where new policies are developing and mistrust is rampant (see Special Considerations in Countries in Transition).
Policy affects the mechanisms adopted to protect integrity in all democracies. These include such things as equal Access to Media, the ability for citizens to obtain and discuss political information, the allocation of public funds for campaigns (Campaign Financing), transparency of the process (Fair Process) and how to deal with fraud and corruption.
For policy to be effective it must be clearly reflected in the legal and electoral framework. This ensures that the policies are respected in the implementation of the elections and are enforced.
For example, in the U.S. State of California, citizen action resulted in a change of policy on election integrity. Through a ballot initiative, Californian voters approved the Political Reform Act of 1974, a set of new legislation designed to support election integrity. Because of the policy change implemented through the adoption of the Act, the conduct of public officials and campaign committees are now more closely regulated. Political campaign contributions and spending by candidates must be fully disclosed, as are those by lobbyists. And state and local government officials, including those who implement elections, were made subject to a stricter set of ethical standards. 62
