Summary
Boundary delimitation should be managed by an independent and impartial body.
Election Parts
Quotes
- The delimitation process should: be managed by an independent and impartial body that is representative of the society, comprising persons with the appropriate skills…conducted by one body...include all spheres of government, both national and local.
- It is a trend in developing countries, as well as in certain established democracies for the demarcation body to be independent from government and to be representative and legitimate in composition and structure.
- When constituency boundaries are redefined – which they must be in a single member system – it must be done: - impartially; - without detriment to national minorities; - taking account of the opinion of a committee, the majority of whose members are independent; this committee should preferably include a geographer, a sociologist and a balanced representation of the parties and, if necessary, representatives of national minorities.
- In the interest of promoting plural, multi-party democracy and enhancing integrity of the electoral process, the independence and impartiality of the Boundary Delimitation Commission in drawing up constituency boundaries should be reaffirmed in the constitutions of SADC countries. The tenure of office of the Commissioners should be guaranteed in the Constitution. The drawing up of constituency boundaries should be left to the technical competence of the Boundary Delimitation Commission without political interference. The Commission should consult stakeholders in this process.
- Observation should cover respect by the authorities of their duty of neutrality.