Electoral management bodies: Composition

Updated July 2007

Country Structure
ANGOLA National Electoral Commission (CNE)
11 members, four year term renewable once:
  • 2 nominated by the President
  • 3 nominated by the ruling party
  • 3 nominated by opposition parties in National Assembly
  • 1 Justice of the Supreme Court
  • 1 representative of Ministry of Territorial Administration
  • 1 elected by the National Council of Social Communication
  • CNE President elected from these by the National Assembly
BOTSWANA Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
7 members with 10 year term.
Nominated at an all-party conference and appointed by the Judicial Service Commission
DRC Independent Electoral Commission (CEI)
Not yet constituted, governing organic law yet to be passed
LESOTHO Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
3 members, 6 year term renewable once.
Appointed by the King on advice of State Council, chair must be a judge
MALAWI Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)
7 members, 4 year term renewable:
  • Chair is a judge nominated by the Judicial Service Commission
  • 6 appointed by the President in consultation with leaders of political parties in National Assembly
MADAGASCAR National Electoral Council (CNE)
Supervisory body, 7 members:
  • appointee of president
  • mediator
  • appointee of MIRA
  • member from National Council of Lawyers
  • member from National Council of Journalists
  • appointee of president of Supreme Court
  • appointee of national prosecutor of the Supreme Court
MAURITIUS Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC)
Supervisory body, 7 members, 5 year term.
Appointed by President on advice of Prime Minister after consultation with leader of the opposition
MOZAMBIQUE National Electoral Commission (CNE)
13 members, 5 year term:
  • 5 members designated by parties/coalitions in Assembly of the Republic
  • 8 members are chosen by 5 from nominees by civil society bodies
  • president is elected by 13 from among the 8 civil society representatives
NAMIBIA Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)
5 members, 5 year term.
Appointed by president from shortlist compiled by Selection Committee (a nominee of the Chief Justice, a nominee of the Law Society and a nominee of the Ombudsman); chair must be a judge
SEYCHELLES Electoral Commissioner
7 year term, renewable.
Appointed by the President from candidates proposed by the Constitutional Appointments Authority
SOUTH AFRICA Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
5 members, 7 year term, renewable.
Appointed by President on recommendation of National Assembly, following nominations by a National Assembly inter-party committee. One commissioner must be a judge
SWAZILAND Elections and Boundaries Commission
5 members, term 12 years, non-renewable:
  • Chair and Deputy-Chair appointed by the King on advice of the Judicial Service Commission
  • 3 members appointed by King on consultation with ministers responsible for elections and for local government
TANZANIA National Election Commission (NEC)
7 members, five year term.
Appointed by President, according to complex legislative requirements. Chair and Vice-Chair have to be judges of the High Court or the Court of Appeal
ZAMBIA Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)
5 members, 7 year term, renewable.
Appointed by President, subject to ratification by the National Assembly
ZANZIBAR Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC)
7 members, 5 year term.
Appointed by President, according to complex legislative requirements
ZIMBABWE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)
7 members, 5 year term renewable once:
  • Chair must be a judge and is appointed by President after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission
  • 6 members (at least three must be women) appointed by President from 9 nominees supplied by Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders