Electoral management bodies may use other state agencies' facilities for voting operations for reasons of necessity (for functions such as security, which are outside of the domain of electoral functions), state policy (for example, employment, computer facilities or capacity-building policies) or a combination of both (such as use of state premises for voting sites or the use of state production facilities for voting operations materials and equipment). This may well be a cost-effective means of providing voting operations resources and make use of otherwise under-utilised resources (see Cost Considerations).
Given the general nature of state bureaucracies in relation to meeting of strict deadlines, and the possibilities of political influence in government agencies under direct ministerial control, care needs to be taken in defining strict performance and integrity standards by means of formal contracts with other state agencies rather than informal agreement. Code of conduct agreements covering secrecy, confidentiality, performance and integrity standards similar to those imposed on the electoral management body's own staff should be implemented.
Given also the tendency of bureaucracies to manage by committee, it is wise for the electoral management body to have a significant voice in determining and managing decision-making and coordination structures for voting operations functions undertaken by other state agencies.
