What independence means for an election management body
International IDEA examines the safeguards that allow election officials to apply rules consistently.
Election management bodies can sit inside government, operate as separate institutions or combine elements of both models. International IDEA's work on independence examines how they can carry out their responsibilities with impartiality.
The legal structure is one consideration. Appointment procedures, funding, transparency and the ability to make operational decisions also shape how an election body works. The practical question is whether officials can apply the rules consistently across parties, candidates and regions.