Key election stakeholders in the election process and their significance

What are key election stakeholders?

Voters, Candidates/Political Parties, Election Management Bodies, Media, Civil Society and Citizen Observers and International Observers.

Voters: 

Voters are central for the electoral process, as their will is the source of political power. By voting, they exercise their right to take part in the government of their country, that is guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are a number of principles that apply to voters. First of all, everybody who is eligible to cast a vote should be able to do so. Moreover, each voter should have only one vote and each vote should have ab approximately equal power. These two considerations together make for the principle of universal and equal suffrage. Any limitation to the eligibility to vote needs to be clearly justified and proportionate. Voters should be able to cast their votes freely-this means without intimidation. The vote should also be secret and cast in a way that does not allow to trace it back to the voter. These principles together would allow voters to express their true preferences.

Media:

The media have a dual role to play during an election. Media are responsible for providing voters with adequate information about the election process so that they may make an informed choice at the ballot box. At the same time, journalists should act as "watchdogs" during an election process, to guarantee that elections are held in compliance with international standards and national legislation, and should report in case they discover any violations. State media have a particular responsibility for providing balanced information during the election process, and should guarantee equitable access and coverage to each competitor. At the same time, journalists and media must be afforded the necessary freedoms for carrying out their duties, and should not fear any retribution for reporting accurately on the election process.

Candidates/Political Parties:

Candidates and political parties are important actors in any election, as they are the ones competing for political power and who have the most "at stake". Candidates and political parties must have a level playing field during the registration process and campaign so as to compete on an equal basis. However, candidates and political parties also have responsibilities to treat one another with respect, compete by rules of fair play and refrain from any kind of hate speech or other incitement during the election campaign. Political parties sometimes sign voluntary codes of conduct, pledging to follow an agreed set of guidelines for ensuring a fair and clean campaign and election. On election day, candidates and political parties regularly send their representatives as "party poll-watchers" in the polling stations. Poll-watchers, also referred to as party or candidate agents, monitor the activities of election officials during voting and counting to ensure that procedures are correctly followed and to protect the votes of their supporters.

Election Management Bodies:

Election Management Bodies are those institutions that prepare and conduct the election process. Often known as "election commissions". Election Management Bodies operate at all levels-the national level, regional level and local level to administer the election process..., Regardless of how members are appointed, election management bodies must carry out elections in an impartial and independent manner-without influence from either political party or state interests.

The Judiciary:

The Judiciary may  be responsible for hearing election complaints and appeals.

The Police

The police are usually tasked to provide security for transfer of materials and election day operations. Such state institutions can also be considered as election stakeholders as they take on responsibilities for the conduct of democratic elections.

Civil Society and Citizen Observers:

The broad set of non-governmental actors known as "civil society" have a responsibility to protect the interests of ordinary citizens and promote the conduct of democratic elections. Often civil society groups conduct voter and civic education campaigns around elections to educate and motivate citizens about voting as well as about broader concepts of democracy, government and citizenship. Civil society organizations often conduct citizen non-partisan observation efforts, deploying observers to polling stations on election day in an attempt to protect the interests of citizens and offer a neutral assessment of the election process. Citizen observers are a useful source of information for international observers and can provide them with important information. However, the mandates for citizen and international observation are distinct and should always be kept separate.

International Observers:

International observers have their own important role to play in elections and are also therefore among the "election stakeholders". International observers also have responsibilities to abide by the national legislation of the host country and the code of conduct at all times.

Source: OSCE/ODIHR