Voter education can have an important impact on integrity. In addition to the dissemination of balanced and objective information on what voters need to know in order to exercise their right to vote, such as what time the polls open, on what day,
the offices that are being contested and how to mark a valid ballot, voter education usually provides information about the electoral process and why voting is important. In some countries it is an
integral part of the larger civic education programmes which they undertake to educate their
citizens.
Voter education is supposed to be targeted at promoting the participation of an informed and responsible
citizenry. Voters need to understand their rights and responsibilities under their constitution and
election law so that they can fulfill their obligations in an informed manner. According to Civitas, voter education should also
'nurture competent and responsible participation. Such participation involves more than just
attempting to influence public policy. Competent and responsible participation must be based upon
moral deliberation, knowledge and reflective inquiry'.
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There seems to be consensus that building a democratic culture is an important key to the protection of a free and fair election, and that is why in many democracies voter education starts even in elementary schools as part of the basic civic education programme. The rationale behind this is that students
can relay important information to their parents, as well as understand their role in a democracy
when they become eligible for voting.
Badly designed or nonexistent voter education programmes can create integrity problems. Too optimistic messages on the ease of voting can lead voters to unrealistic expectations on the time they need to allow to, for example, wait in line at the polls. Or badly designed messages on election security could increase voter feelings of insecurity.
Voter education is expected to provide factual information for voters in a neutral way so they can participate knowledgeably. If voter education has a partisan content, it is more like political propaganda, which is primarily designed to influence public opinion and build
support for a particular position or candidate. Voter education can provide factual information
for voters in a neutral way so they can participate knowledgeably.
In many countries, voter education also provides information for voters with special needs so they know how
they can participate and where they can get assistance. These can be citizens abroad who need to
know if they are eligible and able to vote overseas, or it can be physically handicapped voters who
need special access facilities.
Information needed to participate
Integrity requires that voters be able to participate on an equal basis with all other voters. One of the responsibilities of electoral managers is to ensure that voters receive the basic information needed to
participate equally - for example: when, where and how to register and to vote; what documents they will have to bring; how to mark a ballot so that it is valid and can be counted accurately. All of this information has important integrity ramifications. For example, if voters do not know where to register, they might not be able to vote on election day.
In most democracies election managers
have the responsibility to ensure that all citizens receive this basic information and that it is neutral
in content and nonpartisan in presentation. In some systems they can be assisted by civil society
groups, either officially or by voluntary work done by these NGOs. In South Africa, for instance, accreditation by the Election Commission is required to provide voter education.
Only those applicants who meet the Commission's standards and who can promote 'voter
education and conditions conducive to free and fair elections' will receive accreditation. The
Commission's standards include ability to conduct activities effectively, impartially, independent
of registered parties or candidate contesting the election. The applicant must also subscribe to the
code governing persons accredited to provide voter education. 184
Information needed to make an informed choice
The integrity of the election outcome depends on voters being able to make an informed choice among the different candidates
and issues. If they are provided with partial or inaccurate information, it can affect the way they vote. Having access to objective and neutral information assists voters in making an informed choice. This information can be provided in the campaign period by the different
candidates, parties and the media. This includes the political platforms of the different candidates,
campaign pledges and their past history of accomplishments or unkept promises. Voters also usually want to know political affiliation, sources of candidate funding and other essential elements that
factor into a voter's decision to support or not support a particular candidate.
Having sufficient information to make an informed choice is an important integrity issue because of its effect on voting and is
addressed further in Access to Media.
Information needed to protect integrity of process
Voter education can also be used to increase the transparency of the electoral process at the same time that it builds support for the integrity of the elections. The public needs to be reassured
that the election managers are taking every precaution to ensure a free, fair and credible election, that their
vote will be counted accurately, and that the election results will represent the will of the people.
In addition, basic mechanisms designed to protect the integrity of the process need to be publicized. This usually includes information
on the security features of the electoral materials and processes, how to identify registration or
polling fraud and where to make complaints.
Voter education has also been used to promote nonviolence in the process. This was done for the
1998 elections in Cambodia (see the Cambodian case study Civic Education for a Nonviolent Election), where it was feared that violence would disrupt the process:
The
NEC (National Elections Committee) did institute anti-violence education. It asked King
Norodum Sihanouk to make a statement condemning violence and guaranteeing the secrecy of the
vote, which he did. Twenty thousand copies of this statement were distributed to all polling
stations and nine thousand audiotapes containing his remarks were distributed by local
nongovernmental organizations. Prominent Buddhist monks, a senior general, and [the Vice
President of the NEC] repeatedly went on television and radio to stress nonviolence. After a
spate of incidents, Second Prime Minister Hun Sen himself appealed to his supporters not to
commit violence or intimidation. 185
