Electoral management bodies: Legal basis and support
Updated July 2008
Links on this page go to pages providing further detail on the subject.
See also: MATLOSA, K 2006 Election Management and Observation in Southern Africa: A Comparative Review of Existing Norms, Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections, EISA Occassional Paper No 40.
| Country | Summary data |
|---|---|
| ANGOLA | National Electoral Commission (Comissão Nacional Eleitoral; CNE) |
| Established by Law 7/2004 of 17 June (Electoral Law) | |
| Supported by Provincial Commissions and Municipal Offices. | |
| BOTSWANA | Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) |
| Established by Constitution of Botswana 1966, Articles 65A, 66 | |
| IEC Secretary heads a secretariat, relies on government resources and civil servants | |
| DRC | Independent Electoral Commission (Commission Electorale Indépendante; CEI); not yet constituted |
| Established by Constitution of 2005, Article 21; governing organic law yet to be passed | |
| LESOTHO | Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) |
| Established by the Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Articles 66-66D; governed by National Assembly Election Order 1992, 4 | |
| Director of Elections provides secretariat support, relies on civil servants for electoral operations | |
| MADAGASCAR | Ministry of Interior responsible for electoral operations, National Electoral Council (Conseil National Electoral; CNE) oversees election, High Constitutional Court registers candidates, processes complaints, verifies and announces official results |
| CNE liaison offices at prefecture and sub-prefecture levels, appoints own observers; Ministery of Interior works through central government structures at provincial, prefecture and sub-prefecture levels | |
| MALAWI | Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) |
| Established in terms of Constitution of Malawi 1994, Articles 75, 76; governed by Electoral Commission Act 1998 | |
| Secretariat headed by Chief Elections Officer | |
| MAURITIUS | Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) supervises Electoral Commissioner |
| Established by the Constitution of Mauritius 1968, Article 38 | |
| Electoral Commissioner conducts elections | |
| MOZAMBIQUE | National Electoral Commission (Comissão Nacional de Eleições; CNE) |
| Established by Law 20/02 2002 | |
| Supported by Technical Secretariat for the Administration of Elections (Secretariado Técnico de Administração Eleitoral; STAE) | |
| NAMIBIA | Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) |
| Established by Electoral Act 24 of 1992 | |
| Supported by Directorate of Elections headed by Director of Elections; uses civil servants to conduct elections | |
| SEYCHELLES | Electoral Commissioner |
| Established by the Constitution of Seychelles 1993, Articles 115-118; governed by Political Parties Act, 1991 and Elections Act 1996 | |
| Assisted by Chief Registration Officer and a Chief Electoral Officer | |
| SOUTH AFRICA | Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) |
| Established by Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, Articles 190-191; regulated by Electoral Commission Act 51 1996 | |
| Assisted by Chief Electoral Officer | |
| SWAZILAND | Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) |
| Established by Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland 2005, Article 90 | |
| TANZANIA | National Election Commission (NEC) |
| Established by Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977, Article 74; governed by Elections Act 1 1985 | |
| Supported by Director of Elections and the Secretariat | |
| ZAMBIA | Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) |
| Established by Constitution of Zambia 1996, Article 76; governed by Electoral Commission Act 1996 | |
| Assisted by Directorate | |
| ZANZIBAR | Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) |
| Established by the Constitution of Zanzibar 1984, Article 119; governed by Election Act 1984 | |
| Assisted by Director of Elections | |
| ZIMBABWE | Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) |
| Established by Constitution of Zimbabwe 1980, Article 61; governed by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act 2005 | |
| Assisted by Registrar General Office and Elections Directorate |