The role of political parties in an election is to field candidates in order to win public office, operate the government and determine public policy. Although the basic objective of a political party is one of self-interest (winning elections), that self-interest plays a check and balance role in maintaining election integrity. Political parties want to ensure that the process is not misused by other parties or manipulated to affect the election result, and as a result, their self-interested vigilance plays an important role in maintaining the honesty of the process.
Political parties can protect election integrity in several areas. These include: :
Monitor the process to make sure there are no deviations from the rules or special treatment
Political parties and candidates watch the electoral process closely. Most political parties will monitor the entire process, from how the election management body is established, to political party and candidate registration, voter registration, how the other candidates and parties campaign, to polling, the count and the announcement of the results.
Political parties and candidates can serve as a kind of early warning system for integrity problems if they find they are not allowed equal access to the process, or if they find that they are treated differently than other parties. Their complaints to the electoral management or policy body can help electoral managers identify problems and, by making their complaints public, help increase the transparency of the process.
Monitor voter registration, polling and the count for irregularities
Political party and candidate monitors can ensure that the interests of the political parties are protected by observing the electoral process. Through their observations, monitors can identify cheating, discrimination or other deviations from the regulations. Monitors usually are given the authority to intervene in the process if they believe laws or regulations are not being following. Monitors can also certify election documents with their signatures, including count tallies. This is discussed in detail in Political Party Monitors.
Publicize integrity problems
Public reporting by parties of their treatment by the election management body, and their monitor reports, can help increase the credibility and transparency of the process. Reports that are critical and expose a great number of irregularities can generate public debate and build public support for electoral reforms or corrective measures. Reports that are positive can help alleviate public concerns over integrity issues and help build trust in the system.
Promote electoral integrity, fairness and accurateness
Political parties serve as one of the primary checks and balance in most electoral systems. They are supposed to support electoral integrity, and the freeness and fairness of the process. This is supposed to be done in both word and deed. Campaigns that are positive and clean can help build public support for the electoral process. Their participation is supposed to be done through the system, working with electoral managers, following procedures and electoral regulations.
Unfortunately, because of their direct stake in the outcome of the election, political parties and candidates can also be the source of integrity problems. They can attempt to bypass the system or try unethical methods to win an election. For example, a dominate party can monopolize the media and expect and receive preferential treatment. A ruling party can use its access to state resources for campaign purposes. Smaller parties that do not have enough public support to win an election could attempt to fix the election results or boycott the process, claiming it was not free or fair. These problems are addressed in Political Parties and Candidates.
