Electoral management and the organisational determinants of electoral integrity: Introduction. Issue 3 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: James, Toby S; Garnett, Holly Ann; Loeber, Leontine; van Ham, Carolien
• Other Names: James Toby S guest-editor.; Garnett Holly Ann guest-editor.; Loeber Leontine guest-editor.; van Ham Carolien guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: International political science review. Volume 40:Issue 3(2019:Jun.)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Electoral integrity -- democratisation -- electoral management bodies -- electoral malpractice; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0192512119828206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-5121

Abstract

Achieving the ideals of electoral democracy depends on well-run elections. Persistent problems of electoral integrity in transitional and established democracies have prompted a burgeoning literature seeking to explain the determinants of electoral integrity around the world. However, the study of the organisations responsible for managing the electoral process has been limited to isolated national case studies. This article opens up an interdisciplinary and international research agenda on the global study of the organisational determinants of electoral integrity. It defines the concept of electoral management and provides a framework to understand how electoral management body (EMB) institutional design, EMB performance and electoral integrity are related. Findings from new data derived from cross-national surveys of EMBs are described, providing new insights into how elections are managed worldwide.