Election management body
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An election management body is an authority in a nation charged with administering the electoral process. The body may be called an electoral commission, election commission, central election commission, electoral branch or electoral court. Election management bodies can be independent, mixed, judicial or governmental. They may also be responsible for electoral boundary delimitation. In federations there may be a separate body for each subnational government.
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[edit] Independent model
In the independent model, the body is sometimes called an "electoral commission", is independent and autonomous of the executive, and manages its own budget. Countries with an independent election management body include Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Canada, Costa Rica, East Timor, Estonia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, South Africa, and Thailand. In some of these countries the independence of the election management body is constitutionally guaranteed e.g. section 190 of the Constitution of South Africa.
[edit] Branch model
An interdependent-model election management body, also known as an electoral branch, is usually operated as a constitutionally-recognized separate branch of government whose members are appointed to office by either a vote of the legislative branch or an appointment by the executive. Countries with an electoral branch include Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
[edit] Mixed model
A mixed-model election management body has an independent board to determine policy, but implementation is usually a matter for an executive department with varying degrees of supervision by the independent board. Countries with such a model include Cameroon, France, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, Mali, Senegal, Spain, and Togo.
[edit] Executive model
An executive-model election management body is directed by a cabinet minister as part of the executive branch of government, and may include local government as agents of the central body. Countries with thus model includ Denmark, Seychelles, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United States.
[edit] Judicial model
A judicial-model election management body has the electoral authority closely supervised by and ultimately responsible to a special "electoral court". Countries with such a model include Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Mexico.
[edit] See also
- List of election management bodies
- Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials
- Association of African Election Authorities
