In every electoral system, there is at least one body responsible for the official oversight of election administration. This can be a separate office within the election policy or management bodies (such as an auditor or inspector general) or it can be a separate institution, such as a legislative committee, a judicial court, or a statutory body such as the U.S. Federal Elections Commission.
Offices, such as an Inspector General or Auditor General, provide oversight of the electoral process on a regular basis (see Audits). In some systems, they work directly with the election managers to help improve management and systems as part of their mandate to promote economy and curb waste and abuse. This type of oversight can help managers identify systemic deficiencies and to make corrections to ensure that they comply with all regulations, and that their activities achieve their intended results.
Inspector Generals, or independent oversight commissions, can also act on complaints made by employees or others. These complaints can include allegations of misconduct or mismanagement, illegal activities, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. 276
Some oversight agencies have a mandate that is broader than just elections. An example of this is the Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales, Australia, whose anti-corruption mandate includes:
- election bribery;
- election funding offences;
- election fraud;
- official misconduct;
- perverting the course of justice;
- corruptly influencing a person's vote; and
- bribery, fraud, theft. 277
