Election Management
A Compendium of Commonwealth Good Practice
Lifting the quality and strengthening the relevance of election management bodies is a continuing work-in-progress: to learn and apply the lessons from each election and rise to the emergence of new challenges, including evolving information and communication technologies and increasing demands for greater transparency and integrity.
Election Management: A Compendium of Commonwealth Good Practice is designed to provide policy makers and staff of election management bodies with a guide to the democratic values, principles and practices of the Commonwealth, which should be reflected in the work they do to consolidate and deepen democracy in their countries. It will also assist governments, political parties and civil society organisations understand better the role, functions and responsibilities of those tasked with delivering credible elections.
Includes annexes from 45 Commonwealth election management bodies on their countries’ standards for democratic legitimacy, legal frameworks, funding arrangements and administrative structure.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
1 Commonwealth Core Democratic Values and Principles
Democracy is an ideal to strive for
There are no perfect democracies
The popular demand for democratic progress is unstoppable
Freedom lies at the foundation of democracy
Rights are balanced by responsibilities
Loyal opposition
Good governance
Participation
Creating a democratic culture
Minorities and the marginalised
Human rights
Outlawing discrimination
Tolerance
Youth
Civil society
2 Translating Commonwealth Values and Principles into Democratic Practice
2.1 Constitutionalism and democracy
2.2 Elections
2.3 Role of the election management body
2.4 Conclusions
3 The Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of an Independent Election Management Body
3.1 The meaning of independence
3.2 Composition and appointment
3.3 Powers, functions and responsibilities
3.4 Taming incumbency
3.5 Staffing and funding
3.6 Management and administration
3.7 Popular participation
3.8 Election observation
3.9 Regional and international co-operation
3.10 Reform
3.11 Conclusions
4 Challenges Facing Commonwealth Independent Election Management Bodies
4.1 Achieving gender equity
4.2 Fair voting
4.3 Gerrymandering
4.4 Politics of identity
4.5 Intimidation and violence
4.6 Dirty money: political party expenditure and campaign funding
4.7 Meeting the challenge of social media
4.8 Democracy in small and island states
4.9 ‘Fair’ or only ‘Free’?
4.10 Conclusion: Focusing on what matters most
Annexes: Constitutional Provisions and Establishment Clause
Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development Expand or collapse me
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy
