Professional Certificate in Leadership and Management - Certificate in Electoral Processes Electoral Management Bodies Charles Lasham 9 th – 13 th July 2012
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES DIFFERENT TYPES DESCRIBE YOURS NUMBER OF MEMBERS HOW APPOINTED LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT PUBLIC MEETINGS WEBSITE
“An electoral management body is responsible for more than conducting the election on polling day. It is the custodian of the integrity and legitimacy of a key phase of the democratic process. Accordingly it must act in a transparent and impartial way and, where appropriate, consulting with stakeholders on important issues and being prepared to give reasons for such decisions.”
“One of the most fundamental – and sacred – challenges that election officials must overcome in the discharge of their professional duties is making the electoral process open and accessible to all.”
Authority
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES U.K. Electoral Commission: Established by Act of 1999 10 members Chairman and Commissioners appointed by Parliament with approval from HM The Queen Independent and non-partisan Reports to Parliament
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES U.K. Electoral Commission’s Duties: Post-election reports Promoting awareness (Voter Education) Registers political parties Conducts national referendums Monitors compliance of election campaign financing Involved in electoral law reviews etc.
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES Armenia’s Electoral Commission: 7 members – 7 year term Commissioners nominated by Human Rights Ombudsman, Armenian Bar Association and Court of Cassation Appointed by the President Chair elected from within the 7
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES Portugal’s National Elections Commission: Permanent body 10 members President is Judge of Supreme Court Functions include responsibility for: electoral census acts, presidential, parliamentary, regional, local and European elections and referendums Campaign Financing – Election Results
ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODIES Organizational Structure Examples