Working with Stakeholders

Vania Anguelova, Independent Electoral ConsultantLondon, November 28th 2011

Who are the Stakeholders?

Individuals or groups and organizations that have an interest or “stake” in the EMB operations.

Primary Stakeholders

Primary stakeholders are those who directly affect or are affected by the EMB activities, policies and practices:

- Political parties and candidates;- EMB staff;- The executive branch of government;- Legislatures;- Electoral dispute resolution bodies;- The judicial system;

Primary Stakeholders- The media;- The electorate – voters and prospective voters;- Civil society organizations;- Election monitors and observers;- The donor community and electoral assistance

agencies.

Secondary Stakeholders

Secondary stakeholders are those more loosely affiliated to the EMBs and they can differ from case to case:

- EMB suppliers;- The public at large;- Regional and international network.

Primary Stakeholders

Political Parties and CandidatesRegular communication essential to build a

confidence and relationshipsTreat them all with respect, impartiality and fairness Establish regular meetings especially during the

elections Promotes good relationships and acceptance of the

EMB’s timetables, processes and outputs(Examples: Ghana, Lesotho, South Africa and DRC).

Primary Stakeholders

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.

Primary stakeholdersGovernment In many cases EMBs relies on government

ministries for different essential financial and organizational needs;

Cooperation and coordination through

establishment of permanent working groups or liaison committees involving EMBs and government agencies.

Primary stakeholdersLegislature Good communication facilitates, the development of

electoral legal frameworks and electoral resource allocations.

EMBs may play an important role in developing of electoral legal framework in emerging democracies.

Amendments to the electoral laws are being passed long enough before the electoral event to allow EMBs to make appropriate preparations.

Primary StakeholdersElectoral Dispute Resolution Body

They can have power to deal with: challenges to EMB decisions; dispute between EMBs and other

stakeholders; EMB regulations legality or election results

challenges.

Primary Stakeholders

Monitors, International and Domestic Observers

Primary StakeholdersMedia Can be a key ally of the EMB in disseminating

information about its mandate and operations as well as participate in voter education and information activities.

Primary Stakeholders

The Electorate

EMB should make sure the electorate is well informed about its activities and programmes

Primary StakeholdersCivil Society Organizations

Possible partners to implement electoral activities, for example, in training temporary electoral staff or Voter and Civic Education activities.

Primary stakeholders

Donor Community and Electoral Assistance Agencies

Establish donors meetings and roundtables to report on its progress on electoral administration and use of donor findings;

Acknowledging donors assistance in its public relations events, publications and media productions.

Secondary stakeholders

EMB suppliers

The regional and international networks

Maintain Relationships with Stakeholders

An EMB needs to treat all stakeholders fairy and maintain two-way communication and consultation with them.

Working with Stakeholders

Maintain two-way communication with stakeholders;

Taking into consideration stakeholders view when making decisions;

Acting transparently with meetings open for follow-up;

Maintain Relationships with Stakeholders

Equitably resolving any conflicts between the needs of EMB members and staff, and those of other stakeholders;

Regularly organizing information meetings for stakeholders.

Difficult Stakeholders – how to deal with them???

Depending on the circumstances the EMB may:

- Try a constructive dialogue with Stakeholder;- Look for a mediation of a third part;- When is a difference related to the interpretation

of the law, the EMB may approach the courts for a binding determination.

Difficult Stakeholders – how to deal with them???

EMB can decide to adopt a strategy to defend itself when the differences between EMB and a stakeholder are irreconcilable!

Difficult Stakeholders – how to deal with them???

Media release and EMB spokesperson may appear in the news and other programmes;

Clarification of the EMB position on the EMB website.

Thank you