Working with Stakeholders

Working with Stakeholders

Norma De La Cruz, Independent Electoral Consultant

London, March 2012

Norma De La Cruz March2012

Elections are conducted and organised in the public domain

Stakeholders ensure support and legitimacy to the process

They are present during all the electoral cycle


Why stakeholders?

Who are the Stakeholders?


Individuals, groups and organizations that have an interest or “stake” in the

operations and legitimacy of the process.

EMB’S Staff

Political parties and candidates

State:The executive

LegislativeJudiciary

Security Forces Electoral Dispute Resolution Body

Civil Society and Organisations

Election monitors Domestic and International

observers International : Donors & Embassies International Organisations

Electorate and prospective voters

Media

Vendors

Regional and International Networks


Political Parties and Candidates

They are an essential components

They must comply with legal framework

A good relationships give acceptance of the EMB’s timetable, processes and outputs

Regular communication is essential to build confidence


Political Parties and Candidates

Establish regular meetings especially during the elections

Treat them all with respect, impartiality and fairness

Once elected they will be part of the Executive and Legislative


The Electorate

It is the primary “costumer”

Keep well informed

Provide electoral services to marginalized through disability, illiteracy or remoteness

Participate!


Executive

In many cases EMBs rely on government

ministries for different essential financial and organizational needs

Approvals from government purchasing

agencies or import licensing agencies may be

required for essential procurement


Legislative

Responsible for making laws,

including electoral laws

Approve the government budget

Scrutinize all public accounts, including

those of EMB

Amendments to the electoral laws need

to be done long enough before the

electoral event


Judiciary

Some components may interact with EMB activities: Such as the police and prosecuting authorities


Security Forces

Provide risk/violence assessment

Providing logistic support during electoral events

Necessary for provided security (police and, even,

armed forces)


Electoral Dispute Resolution Body


EMB Staff

Determined effort to support its staff, to generate loyalty and professionalism;

Staff that are not loyal to EMB and its principles may frustrate the EMB’s programmes and easily compromise the EMB reputation.


Electoral Monitors, Domestic and International Observers

Essential to enhance transparency and integrity

They cover a spectrum of electoral activities

Have local knowledge and capacity

Give feedback and recommendations


Media

Play an influential role in any electoral event

As a disseminator of information

As vendor

Need to be monitored and supported

EMB’s need an strategy for media relations or Communication plan


“New Social media”

Websites Facebook Twitter


“New media”


Civil Society and Non-governmental Organizations

They are important conduit to disseminate information

They are at “grassroots level” can reach target groups

Their participation gives legitimisation to the process


International : Donors & EmbassiesInternational Organisations International Elections Observers

They are key players

in many elections

Can provide

Electoral and

Financial Assistance to EMB’s or other

Stakeholders


Vendors

EMB relies on many suppliersSuppliers can have an effect in the

process


Regional and International Network

Partnerships in sharing knowledge

Peer review and evaluation


Relationships with Stakeholders

Fostering open communication Regular consultation

Being sensitive to their need and concerns Consider their views

To treat them fairy


Relationships with Stakeholders

Maintain two-way communication

Act transparently and consistently

Follow-up meetings Open space to solve

conflicts between stakeholders

Regularly organizing information meetings for stakeholders.


Communication Strategic Plan:Facilitating training

programmes for journalists

Issuing regular media releases on

electoral issues

Organising regular media

conferences;

Having a readily accessible EMB

media liaison officer

Preparing a media information handbook on each electoral event

Conducting media briefings on technical

electoral issues

Making electoral data easily and freely

accessible to the media


Spokesperson

Channels of communication: tv, radio,

website

To inform/ clarify

Effectible ending rumors


Communication Strategic Plan:

How to deal with difficult Stakeholders?


Questions?

Thank you


Documents

Working with Stakeholders