SUSTAINABLE ELECTORAL PROCESSES TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY TO DELIVERING CREDIBLE ELECTIONS Presentation by Pat Merloe – NDI

ELECTIONS BELONG TO THE PEOPLE WHY?

“The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections…” Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 21 This precept appears in every modern constitution and is the basis for the legal frameworks for elections.

Citizens have a right to genuine elections and a right to know that an election actually reflects their will. That knowledge produces public confidence. 7

Public Confidence Requires: Inclusiveness Transparency Accountability 2

Inclusiveness Universal and Equal Suffrage Every citizen = the right and opportunity Without discrimination or unreasonable restriction To vote and To be elected This requires participation & information Stakeholders = citizens/voters, electoral contestants, citizen observers/monitors & media

Inclusion Mechanisms For Citizens Voter & Civic Education, Information Hotlines & Two-Way Communication via EMB Website, Use of Social Media, Open Meetings – Live Streaming For Media Above Methods + Cultivating Press Relationships, Media Bulletins, Press Conferences, Accredit to Witness Processes

Inclusion Mechanisms For Citizen Election Observation/Monitoring Organizations Above Methods + EMB Meetings for Two-Way Communication For Electoral Contestants Above Methods + Liaison Committees at National, Intermediate and Local Levels

Electoral Transparency Open Government Information Electoral Transparency Is Based on a Powerful Combination of: The Right of Citizens to Participate in Govern-ment & Public Affairs, and The Right to Seek, Receive, Impart Information (Freedom of Expression) Open Government/Open Government Data Are Vital to Electoral Integrity

Vote Verification Example Adequate opportunity for party agents, nonpartisan citizen monitors and media to observe all processes Copies of tally sheets (or equivalents) at polling place, consolidation centers and at CEC given to parties and citizen observers Immediately posting of polling place level and consolidated results in easily analyzed format – on screen, on website – with appropriate caveats E-Voting voter verified, auditable paper trail with specified automatic and special audits that are transparent to parties and citizens

Such Approaches Are Called for by the Informal Community of 45 Key International Election Observation Organizations Endorsing the DoP and the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) with the DoGP’s 218 endorsing organizations in 80 countries/regions + 13 Key International Supporters of the Declaration

Accountability Mechanisms Elections are Political Accountability Mechanisms and Need Internal Accountability Party/Candidate Codes of Conduct, Clear Definitions of Electoral Crimes and Transparency in Enforcement & Concerning Provision of Equal Protection of the Law

Accountability Mechanisms Clear, Well Publicized & Accessible Procedures for Voter & Candidate Redress Clear, Well Publicized Conflict of Interest Requirements with Sanctions for Violations Clear Administrative Sanctions for Malfeasance & Misfeasance + Transparency Whistleblower Protections & Ombudsman Oversight

This approach would raise public confidence and reduce volatility in the election environment. THANK YOU! 고맙습니다