Summary
The rules should clearly state the electoral formula to be used to convert votes into mandates and the electoral timeline for the announcement and certification of results.
Election Parts
Quotes
- The legal framework must clearly state the electoral formula that will be used to convert votes into mandates. …The legal framework should provide, in clear and objective language, the procedures for transferring the protocol results of counting, ballots and election materials from lower election commissions to intermediate and higher election commissions for tabulation and safekeeping. ... The legal framework should clearly state whether election authorities might announce partial or preliminary results prior to final certification. If results can be announced prior to final certification, then the legal framework should clearly regulate the process for making such announcements. ...The legal framework should clearly specify the dates for final certification of the election results, how the process of final certification is to occur, including public announcement and notification to candidates of their election, and the terms of offices of elected candidates.
- The method for aggregating results must be predetermined, visible and verifiable.
- The electoral system should be entrenched in the Constitution. The Electoral Act should clearly set out the form, content and operation of the electoral system adopted.
- (iii) Verification and reconciliation of ballots should be done before counting begins and this should be done in the presence of candidates and all their agents. (iv) In the event of a long lapse of time between the completion of voting and the commencement of the counting, the ballot boxes should be sealed and opened in the presence of polling agents. (v) The Electoral Commission should prepare and make available a time-table of the electoral process, including the acquisition of electoral materials, packaging and distribution to polling centres. The time-table, including all stages of electoral events should, by law, be made accessible to all stakeholders.
- Minimum thresholds should not be considered illegitimate or discriminatory, as long as they are applied objectively and equally, and allow for the candidacy of independent candidates. However, such thresholds must be enacted at a level low enough so as not to preclude political pluralism or threaten the representative nature of the legislature.