The election management body (EMB) has responsibilities at a number of levels. It has its main
duty to discharge in relation to the electoral process and all its participants. It also has a duty as
an employer and manager of a staff that actually delivers its main duty.
The organisation requires internal rules and regulations in the same way as any other that
employs staff, deals with finance, interfaces with the public, and has access to public funds. The
standards required of an EMB are at least as high, if not higher, than those of other public
bodies. The ethical principles require a higher and less ambiguous standard of behaviour of an
election administrator than that of other public employees. Clear rules and regulations should be
developed including adherence to guidelines such as those suggested by the International-IDEA.
- Act in a strictly neutral and unbiased manner in every matter concerning a political party,
candidate, voter, or member of the press or media.
- Do nothing that could indicate, or be seen as indicating, partisan support for a candidate,
political party, political actor or political tendency.
- Behave, at all times, in an irreproachable manner, exercise sound judgement, and observe the
highest levels of personal discretion.
- Disclose any relationship that could lead to a conflict of interest with duties as election
administrators.
- Accept no gifts or favours from a political party, organisation, or person involved in the
election process.
- Reject any improper influences, and, except as provided by law or custom, refrain from
accepting directions relating to the performance of appointed tasks.
- Do not participate in any unauthorised activity, including any private activity, that could lead to
an actual or perceived conflict of interest with their duties as election administrators.
- Do not participate in any activity, including any private activity, that could lead to a perception
of sympathy for a particular candidate, political party, political actor, or political tendency.
- Do not express a view on any subject that is likely to be a political issue in the election.
- Do not communicate with any voter on a matter of partisan significance.
- Do not wear, carry or display any obviously partisan party symbols or colours.8
These principles will require amendment to reflect the partisan nature of some EMBs.
Nevertheless, an EMB with a partisan composition should seek to abide by the underlying
principles in order to develop and sustain its credibility. Like any public organisation, the EMB
must also establish rules for the management and handling of all money-related functions and
personnel management issues.
Whatever rules are adopted should be communicated to all employees, and systems should be in
place to ensure that if allegations of infringement are made, fair internal disciplinary hearings
will be held, the person who may be the object of a complaint will have the opportunity to be
represented at any hearing, and the hearing will be conducted fairly. Rules and procedures
should be regularly reviewed and updated, and systems for regular communication with the staff
on this and other issues should be maintained.
