Delivering Democracy? An Analysis of Election Management Body Capacity in Four Countries

It is widely recognised that regular, competitive elections are an essential component of
democracy, yet many elections fail to meet international standards or the expectations of
citizens. This is not always due to malpractice by political actors or the irregular pursuit of a
particular outcome by election officials. While failures in electoral administration are often
overlooked as a factor, capacity limitations on the part of election management bodies (EMBs),
for example a lack of resources or technical weaknesses, frequently impact the credibility of
elections. This can affect the perceived legitimacy of elected politicians, undermine trust in
democratic institutions and even lead to violence.
This highlights the need for a much deeper understanding of EMB capacity and the role it plays
in promoting electoral integrity. Through a study of four countries (Ghana, Malawi, Pakistan and
Papua New Guinea), this PhD will extend existing definitions of EMB capacity and examine the
impact of insufficient capacity.
The research framework will be developed based on a multi-disciplinary literature review that
draws on insights from political science, public administration and international development.
Each case study will involve a detailed desk review, a survey of electoral stakeholders and
fieldwork involving interviews with EMB officials, civil society organisations, citizen observers,
political parties, donors and electoral assistance organisations.
This PhD will advance academic understanding of this crucial yet understudied aspect of
election administration and provide insights for electoral commissions, policymakers and donors
into how EMB capacity can be enhanced. In doing so, it will make an important contribution to
the promotion of electoral integrity at a time when democracy around the world is facing
challenges on multiple fronts.