Research Study COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF CENTRAL ELECTORAL AGENCIES A REPORT COMMISSIONED BY ELECTIONS CANADA Dr. Paul G. Thomas Professor Emeritus Political Studies University of Manitoba and Lorne R. Gibson Former Chief Electoral Officer Province of Alberta May 2014 Table of Contents Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................ 7 Note to the Reader ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Criteria for Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 11 Comparative Assessment of Electoral Management Bodies ........................................................................... 13 Factors That Shape the Governance Process ..................................................................................................... 15 It Starts, but Does Not End, with the Constitution ............................................................................................ 16 Cabinet-Parliamentary Versus Presidential-Congressional Political System .............................................. 16 Federalism Versus Unitary Forms of Government ..................................................................................... 18 Scope of Responsibilities.................................................................................................................................... 18 Single-Headed Agency Versus Multi-Member Commission .............................................................................. 21 Budgetary and Staffing Independence .............................................................................................................. 23 External Accountability to Legislatures and the Public ...................................................................................... 24 Current and Future Challenges .......................................................................................................................... 24 Case Studies ................................................................................................................................................ 27 Elections Canada ................................................................................................................................................ 27 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 27 History ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Institutional Status ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Mandate, Powers and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 28 Operational Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 29 Accountability and Independence .............................................................................................................. 30 Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Australian Electoral Commission ....................................................................................................................... 33 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 33 History ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 Membership ............................................................................................................................................... 33 Mandate, Powers and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 34 Operational Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 35 Accountability and Independence .............................................................................................................. 35 Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 37 3 Election Commission of India ............................................................................................................................. 38 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 38 Membership ............................................................................................................................................... 39 Mandate, Powers and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 40 Operational Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 41 Accountability and Independence .............................................................................................................. 41 Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 43 Electoral Commission of New Zealand .............................................................................................................. 43 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 43 History ........................................................................................................................................................ 44 Membership ............................................................................................................................................... 45 Mandate, Powers and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 45 Operational Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 46 Accountability and Independence .............................................................................................................. 47 Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 48 The Electoral Commission in the United Kingdom ............................................................................................ 49 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 49 History ........................................................................................................................................................ 49 Membership ............................................................................................................................................... 50 Mandate, Powers and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 52 Changes to PPERA in 2009 .......................................................................................................................... 53 Steering Local Electoral Administration by Remote Control ...................................................................... 53 Operational Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 54 Accountability and Independence .............................................................................................................. 55 Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 56 The Federal Election Commission and the Election Assistance Commission in the United States ................... 56 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 56 History ........................................................................................................................................................ 57 Membership of the FEC 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