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

2. ELECTIONS BELONG TO THE PEOPLE WHY?

3. “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.

4. 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

5. Public Confidence Requires:
Inclusiveness
Transparency
Accountability 2

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

11. 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

12. 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 endorsing organizations in 80 countries/regions Key International Supporters of the Declaration

14. 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

15. 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

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