The role of the election manager in the registration of parties and candidates will be defined in
legislative or regulatory provisions. However defined, that role should not be exceeded and must
always be influenced by ethical principle 2 (in Guiding Principles) that election management must be
non-partisan and neutral.
For an election to be successful, participants in the process must believe that election
administrators will perform all their tasks in a politically neutral, non-partisan manner. This
perception is especially important in connection with the registration of parties and/or candidates,
a process which may take place well in advance of elections. The potential for civic unrest and
loss of confidence in the process is possibly greatest in this area in the period preceding the
election.
The requirement for acting in a non-partisan way will be particularly important, and for the sake
of the credibility of the electoral process especially important, where the EMB is comprised of
individuals appointed by political parties on the basis of their party membership or party
tendency. In this situation, the reputation of the EMB and, therefore, the electoral process will be
derived from the actions of the EMB, especially the chairman (or other head of the EMB) or the
person responsible for registering parties and candidates.
The EMB should establish clear lines of regular communication with political parties/candidates
to ensure that all potential participants are aware of the requirements which may need to be
fulfilled to enable participation in the process.
Legislation is likely to specify the time frame for dealing with applications for registration and
ensure that all parties/candidates receive equal treatment.
