Managing elections
techniques and perspectives

One-week study programme 8 to 12 September 2008

About the study programme

Recent years have seen a considerable increase in elections being held around the world. Numerous countries emerging from conflict or from authoritarian regimes are looking to elections as a positive step towards democratic governance. Established democracies also continuously seek to optimise the way they manage elections, as modern technologies provide new mechanisms for improvements in citizen participation and electoral administration.

Electoral administrators are faced with immense operational tasks in often challenging political environments. It is increasingly recognised that solid professional knowledge and skills are required to manage electoral processes effectively. The international community is introducing global standards, and examples of best practice for effective and accountable elections management are accumulating.

However, electoral administrators do not always have ready access to such information. Formal opportunities for training in election management are still rare. There is a lack of opportunity to meet with counterparts and exchange expertise at an international level.

With this study programme, PAI aims to offer vital information on how to best manage elections. The programme is designed to provide electoral administrators - and other election stakeholders from public administration, civil society, political parties and the media - training in the most effective electoral management techniques and hands-on, practical skills. Programme participants will also meet with counterparts from the United Kingdom and Europe, to learn about best practice and latest trends, and to establish useful contacts. PAI has a recognised track record in public administration training and can draw on its relations with UK public institutions and a pool of senior-level election experts and practitioners who will share their experience with programme participants.

The UK is an interesting example of how electoral processes can be managed effectively. While every country’s electoral administration is to some extent unique, many features from the UK can be found throughout the Commonwealth and the English-speaking world. In addition, the UK has tested the use of modern technology in elections and drawn useful conclusions. Furthermore, PAI can offer interventions by practitioners with abundant international experience to provide a comparative perspective beyond the UK.

Who is the programme for?

The study programme targets the following key stakeholders in electoral processes:

• Officials from election management bodies
• Senior officials from government, public administration and election tribunals who are actively involved in the electoral process
• Members of political parties
• Representatives from the media
• Election observers
• Representatives of civil society
• International professionals and officials involved in electoral assistance.

How participants will benefit

The study programme is designed to enable participants to:

• Broaden their knowledge of practices, recent developments and innovations in electoral processes, using a comparative analysis of the UK and other countries
• Identify aspects of UK and international experience that can be applied in their own countries
• Improve their day-to-day management and planning skills with appropriate and effective tools and techniques
• Enable participants to interact effectively with election stakeholders in their own countries (for example, civil society, observers, political parties and the media)
• Introduce participants to key experts and practitioners, enabling them to create networks for exchange and knowledge transfer.

What the programme will cover

The programme will concentrate on the UK electoral system and administration but will draw on comparative experience from other countries. Recognising the variety of electoral systems and methods of managing elections, the programme will be adapted as far as possible to the needs and backgrounds of participants, while demonstrating best practice and international standards. Participants will contribute examples from their own countries to encourage an exchange of experiences and expertise in the course of the programme.

The programme will consist of briefings, training modules, discussions and visits. The aim is to make the programme as interactive and participatory as possible and to provide participants with hands-on practical experience. The briefings and training modules will be delivered by experienced speakers, including academics from top UK universities, election administrators, public officials and election experts and consultants. Tutors will facilitate practical exercises and discussions among participants to build and exchange experiences.

A key feature of the study programme will be visits to UK institutions where participants can meet with counterparts, experience election administration or policy-making in action and establish useful contacts.

Programme outline

The organisers reserve the right to change the programme as necessary.

Location and arrival arrangements

The study programme will be based in central London. Visits to appropriate government departments, local authorities and other organisations will be included. On request, PAI can assist with finding suitable hotel accommodation and can arrange travel to and from the airport.

Language

The programme will be conducted in English.  Participants will be expected to have a good working knowledge of the language.

Fees and other costs

The fee for this two-week study programme will be £1,765. This includes tuition, travel to and from the airport (if required), travel on official visits, travel and one night’s accommodation while on the visit outside London [1] , printed material and other documentation. UK Valued Added Tax (VAT) will not be charged if applicants can provide written confirmation from their government or its accredited representative that they are employed by their government in furtherance of its sovereign activities. In all other cases, VAT (currently 17.5%) will be charged in addition to the fee. Payment in full must be received by PAI no later than 8 September 2008. Cheques should be made payable to Public Administration International. Alternatively, PAI is able to invoice individuals or government agencies. Payment by bank transfer is also acceptable.

Airfares, accommodation costs (apart from one night outside London), daily travel (other than on visits scheduled in the programme), meals and living expenses are not included. We suggest that approximately £120 per person per day should be allowed for a modest standard of accommodation, local travel in the UK, meals and other incidental expenses. Participants requiring a higher standard of accommodation will need to allow approximately £150 per person per day.

Insurance

Participants are advised to arrange travel and health insurance cover before leaving their home country.

Public Administration International (PAI)

PAI specialises in management consultancy and development services for organisations in and associated with the public sector worldwide. We provide advice and support for governments undergoing political, economic, structural and legislative change. Our extensive network of associates includes practitioners, academics and independent consultants. This programme is one of a number of specialist UK-based study programmes designed to meet the needs of public services worldwide.

Director of Studies

The Director of Studies for the programme is Tim Bittiger. Tim is an experienced electoral expert with a career of over ten years in governance and election assistance. He has worked as senior programme manager, team leader and consultant with key international agencies and not-for-profit organisations in various transition countries in Africa and Eastern Europe.

Tim has co-ordinated international initiatives for election reform in Albania, working as Head of Local Government Department with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Albania. He has developed and managed large-scale election programmes in the Balkans and Eastern Europe and has co-operated with UK electoral bodies as Senior Programme Officer for the London office of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a leading electoral assistance provider. Since 2005, Tim has worked as a free-lance consultant for the European Commission and other agencies, advising on the preparation and implementation of elections in Eastern Europe, the Great Lakes and West Africa.

Tim studied history, political science and public law and holds a master’s degree from Oxford University. He has published several articles on elections and democracy, in academic journals and in publications of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), IFES and other institutions. He is fluent in English, French and German.

How to apply

Clare Walters
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk

Applications should be made as soon as possible as the number of available places is limited.

How to contact us

For further information about this programme or our consultancy and development services, please contact:

Claire Cameron or Donald McGregor
Executive Directors
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk
www.public-admin.co.uk

We also have extensive experience of designing tailor-made programmes which can be run in-country or in the UK to meet the specific needs of groups or individuals.  Please contact us if you would like further information.