ELECTORAL INTEGRITY

Presented by:
JENNA-DHEL DR. FRANCISCO
 ELECTORAL INTEGRITY
- refers to international standards and global norms governing the
appropriate conduct of elections.

- requires a legal and institutional system that encourages and

protects fair and equitable elections as well as application of specific
measures to protect integrity based on democratic election standards
and best practices.

- electoral integrity allows for peaceful resolution of conflict, open

dialogue, debate, and information sharing amongst leaders and the
public.
 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Respect for principles of electoral democracy

• Ethical Conduct
• Professionalism and Accuracy
• Institutional safeguards
• Oversight and Enforcement
• Transparency and Accountability
 PRINCIPLES OF ELECTORAL
Ethical Behavior INTEGRITY
is essential to election integrity. Standards for ethical behavior vary
depending on the social and political context of each country. However,
some common principles are universal for ensuring confidence in the way
elections are conducted.
Fairness and Impartiality
requires that all participants must be treated equally, and integrity
safeguards must apply to all participants and the entire electoral process.
The three basic components of fairness and impartiality are:
• sound legal framework
• impartial administration
• equal treatment
Transparency and Accountability
Accountability is another important aspect of election integrity.
Elections are, after all, the main means by which citizens hold
their elected officials accountable. In turn, electoral
administrators and policy makers are held accountable for the
quality of electoral process they administer.
PEI ELECTORAL CYCLE
 LEGAL FRAMEWORK
• Constitution
A constitution is the supreme law of any country. It provides the
legal framework for the government, designates the powers and
duties of the branches of government or governmental agencies,
and establishes the relationship between the people and the
government. It enunciates the basic rights and obligations of
citizens, and usually establishes the basis for the country’s
electoral system.
• Legislation
Laws are enacted by the Legislative branch of government,
implemented by the Executive branch and enforced by
Executive branch agencies and the Judicial branch. Electoral
integrity may be supported through a web of inter-related laws. 
These can include a specific election statute defining and
containing provisions for enforcement specific electoral
violations as well as other legislation to enforce electoral laws
and regulations. There may also be applicable provisions in
criminal codes and civil laws concerning personal injury and
violation of rights.
• Regulations
Regulations are sets of norms, procedures and rules that
governmental institutions adopt in accordance with law to
implement the responsibilities delegated to them under the
legislative framework. Generally, executive agencies or ministries
have the power to issue internal rules and procedures without an
additional legislative basis.  If agency rules and procedures affect
the rights of persons they are referred to more properly as
“regulations” and must be based on a specific legislative mandate.
 ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT
BODY
 is responsible for administering elections. Such bodies are
expected to fully, fairly and impartially implement the norms,
regulations and procedures contained in the legal framework. This
involves dealing with technical issues, as well as making decisions
about policy-related matters.
To fulfill its primary role of holding credible elections, an EMB generally
carries out the following tasks:

• Administer the electoral process in full accordance with the law

• Maintain a professional, neutral and transparent administration
• Adopt procedures to safeguard the integrity of its operations
• Identify and assess integrity risks, and take preventive or corrective
action
• Promote voter awareness of electoral integrity
 ETHICAL BEHAVIOR USED IN
ELECTIONS
• Standards for Electoral Administrations and Election Officers
• Standards for Political Parties and Candidates
• Standards for Interest Groups
• Standards for Observers
• Standards for the Media
 INTEGRITY IN ELECTION
ADMINISTRATION
A critical element in maintaining election integrity is
sound management of elections by a credible election
management body. To be credible, the electoral
administration must be impartial and have the institutional
capacity to hold free and fair elections.
To safeguard integrity of the electoral institution and the election
process, the following are important considerations:

• Establish a credible and non-political management body

• Create a good administrative, financial and operational system
• Ensure effective information management
• Use adequate control and oversight mechanisms
• Demonstrate transparency and accountability
Electoral management and the organizational determinants
of electoral integrity

Achieving the ideals of electoral democracy depends on

well-run elections. Persistent problems of electoral integrity in
transitional and established democracies have prompted a
burgeoning literature seeking to explain the determinants of
electoral integrity around the world.
THANK YOU