Independence

Independence (election Management Body) in Election Law

One of the basic principles for an electoral administration for its action to be considered credible and as a factor that induces confidence in the process. While it is arguably the most recognised principle of electoral administration, there can be a lack of clarity as to what is meant by 'independence', which is often confused with 'autonomy'. An 'independent Election Management Body (EMB)' is defined as one that is autonomous from government structures, meaning structural independence. The principle of independence relates not to its structural status within government agencies but to the possibility for an EMB to act without undue pressure from anyone, be it the government, political parties or pressure groups. This is known as functional independence, regardless of the type of EMB model chosen (governmental, mixed or autonomous).

Independence

Embracing mainstream international law, this section on independence explores the context, history and effect of the area of the law covered here.

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See Also

• Nation
• Province
• Sovereignty
• Rule of Law
• Public International Law
• State Territory

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Further Reading

• The entry “independence” in the Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law (currently, the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law, 2009), Oxford University Press

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See Also

• Election Law
• Electoral Laws
• Electoral Legislation