Public access to documents & public voting and counting

processes - Sweden

12th EMB Meeting, Brussels 30-31 March 20152nd Plenary session – functioning of EMBs

By Kristina Lemon

Public access – a key feature towards transparency

1. Public access to official documents

2. Public voting and counting processes

1. Public access to official documents

- Constitutional provision- Applicable to the entire public sector

Purpose: to have transparency in public decision-making and how the public sector conduct their duties

What is an official document?

- Errands: decisions, pm:s, reports, policy documents, agreements, procurement etc.

- Registers – surrounded by strict frameworks

- E-mail conversations

- Correspondence to and from the public sector

Limitations

- Errands concerning the security of the Realm- Central fiscal errands- Protection or personal circumstances of private

subjects

How does this apply to the election administration?

- Electoral roll- Candidate registers- Decisions on party denominations- General scrutiny of errands

Used by media, general people, parties, researchers

2. Public voting and counting processes

- Access guaranteed by law- Therefore – no permission needed for

observers

Limitation: access only under the condition that the processes are not disturbed.

What does this access mean for election stakeholders?

- The administration: it makes us do better!- The parties: creates an open landscape for

fair competition- The voters: creates good opportunities to

follow - and judge - decision-makers

Provides the possibility to increased knowlede of the electoral process

Outlook towards the future

- Transparency and access become increasingly inresting also for the general public

- Access to registers raises questions on personal integrity

- Increased multinational decisionmaking creating challenges

Thank you for your attention!