19^th EMB Conference photo, Strasbourg/hybrid, 14-15 November 2022

Background - The Venice Commission assisting Electoral Management Bodies towards genuine electoral processes

Paving the way for the organisation of genuine electoral processes

The electoral field is one of the key areas of expertise of the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (“the Venice Commission”). In addition to preparing opinions and studies on electoral legislation, and organising conferences and training seminars, the Venice Commission works closely together with the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) of its 61 member States.

Electoral Management Bodies oversee and conduct elections and referendums, and therefore play a crucial role in the good functioning of democratic institutions. Their mandates include a variety of tasks, such as administering elections, managing complaints, promoting gender equality and the participation of minorities and advocating electoral reform.

16^th EMB Conference group photo, Bratislava, 27-28 June 2019

What are the European Conferences of Electoral Management Bodies?

European Electoral Management Bodies met for the first time in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 2002 and agreed to continue to meet on a regular basis. The Venice Commission co-organised and took part in the second conference, held in Strasbourg in 2005. Since then, European Conferences of Electoral Management Bodies ("the EMB Conferences") have been co-organised annually by the Venice Commission and local EMBs in different European countries. The last EMB Conference was held in Strasbourg as a hybrid event in 2022.

Each Conference gathers together electoral administrators and experts from the Venice Commission’s 62 member States and beyond. The EMB Conferences' primary aim is to pool and share knowledge and expertise on international standards, domestic legislation and good practice in the electoral field in general. The EMB Conferences are a unique forum which provides an opportunity to examine the challenges faced when managing electoral processes, to debate on how to improve such processes and to strengthen the network between EMBs.

13^th EMB Conference, Bucharest, 14-15 April 2016

Working methods

The EMB Conferences usually last for two days, and are organised annually in one of the Venice Commission’s member States in co-operation with the local EMB. It is based on a participatory and interactive method that includes plenary sessions with several panellists focussing on a specific subject and working sessions held simultaneously in which participants can choose a topic of their interest, exchange views and share knowledge on a more informal basis.

The different sessions of the EMB Conferences are generally held in English, French and the language of the host country. Simultaneous interpretation in these languages is provided for all participants. Invited participants take part in the EMB Conferences free of charge.

A pool of experienced keynote speakers with diverse backgrounds contributes to each EMB Conference. They include chairpersons or members of EMBs, international election experts, elected officials, members of governments, representatives of international institutions and renowned scholars.

A synopsis summarising the discussions held in both the plenary and working sessions is published and available to the public on the Venice Commission’s website at the end of each EMB Conference. These conclusions highlight potential issues and improvements of electoral processes. They are targeted to both electoral management bodies and public authorities, including law makers.

12^th EMB Conference group photo, Brussels, 30-31 March 2015

Participants

The main beneficiaries of EMB Conferences are the members and staff of Electoral Management Bodies of the Venice Commission's member States. The Conferences are, nevertheless, intended to reach a broader audience, including researchers, international and regional organisations (both governmental and non-governmental) and other relevant stakeholders in the electoral field. Major international organisations such as the European Union, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) have participated in EMB Conferences on a regular basis since 2005. 

Topics

The EMB Conferences have touched upon a wide variety of topics over the years, starting with very general issues in the earlier editions, to the future of electoral administration and electoral management in more recent ones.

List of the 19 editions of the EMB Conferences

• 19^th edition (2022, Hybrid, Strasbourg, France): Artificial Intelligence and Electoral Integrity
• 18^th edition (2021, Online, Strasbourg, France): Lessons learned from the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on electoral processes
• 17^th edition (2020, Online, Strasbourg, France): Electoral law and electoral administration in Europe: Recurrent challenges and best practices
• 16^th edition (2019, Bratislava, Slovak Republic): Election Dispute Resolution
• 15^th edition (2018, Oslo, Norway): Security in Elections
• 14^th edition (2017, Saint Petersburg): Operational Electoral Management Bodies for Democratic Elections
• 13^th edition (2016, Bucharest): New Technologies in Elections: Public Trust and Challenges for Electoral Management Bodies
• 12^th edition (2015, Brussels): Ensuring Neutrality, Impartiality and Transparency in Elections: The Role of Electoral Management Bodies
• 11^th edition (2014, Helsinki): Combating the Misuse of Administrative Resources during Electoral Processes
• 10^th edition (2013, Chișinău): The Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters: Strengths and Potential Developments
• 9^th edition (2012, Tallinn): Innovative Solutions for Elections
• 8^th edition (2011, Vienna): Elections in a Changing World
• 7^th edition (2010, London): Every Voter Counts
• 6^th edition (2009, The Hague): Enhancing Participation in Elections
• 5^th edition (2008, Brussels): Distance Voting
• 4^th edition (2007, Strasbourg): Fighting against Electoral Fraud – Complaints and Appeals Procedures
• 3^rd edition (2006, Moscow): Development and Codification of International Standards in the Field of Elections
• 2^nd edition (2005, Strasbourg): Voters’ Turnout – Impact of New Technologies on Participation
• 1^st edition (2002, Palma de Mallorca): Electoral Management and Electoral Co-operation in Member States and with International Organisations

The Venice Commission

The Venice Commission is an advisory body of the Council of Europe in constitutional matters. Initially conceived as an instrument of emergency constitutional engineering against a background of transition towards democracy, the Commission has gradually evolved into an internationally recognised, independent legal think-tank. Although the Commission is mainly known for its legal opinions and transnational studies, it also helps in disseminating a common legal heritage based on the fundamental legal principles of Europe and beyond, including through conferences.

Members – 61

Associate Member

• Belarus (Suspended)

Observers

• Argentina (1995)
• Holy See (1992)
• Japan (1993)
• Uruguay (1995)

Participants

• European Union 
• OSCE / ODIHR

Special co-operation status

• Palestinian National Authority (2008)
• South Africa (1993)