Building Human, Technological and Financial Resources in Election Management

Abstract

The number of elections that are held around the world has increased substantially with over 90% of the world’s nation states now holding regular national elections. While many elections are conducted across the world to very high standards, there remains evidence of problems with poor election quality in both established and transitional democracies. The design and performance of electoral management boards (EMBs), the organizations responsible for conducting elections, is one of the key factors shaping election integrity and has accordingly become a pressing concern for policy makers. This panel looks at the resources and capacity of EMBs. Papers will seek to explore and conceptualise EMB resources from different perspectives, including human, technological and financial. They will examine the approach that EMBs and international organisations have taken in using these resources and 'what works' in delivering well run elections.