The Role of Election Commissions in Protecting Democracy

The Role of Election Commissions in Protecting Democracy

By: Catie Vo

In today’s modern and developing society, political corruption appears to be increasing, while integrity within government is declining. On a statistic measuring countries’ levels of corruption, it was shown that two-thirds of the world’s nations scored below 50 on the corruption scale (100 being very clean and fair, 0 representing high corruption and unfair politics). The global average score was only 42. The statistic also revealed that only five countries scored above 80. To illustrate, imagine a classroom of 100 students, where only five receive a B grade. This analogy demonstrates the importance of integrity within political elections.

Democracy is one of the most common forms of government globally. According to the United Nations, democracy is a core value for over 190 countries. In practice, however, only 74 of 167 countries identify as some form of democracy, according to Our World in Data. Returning to the point made above about election integrity, the United States is often cited as a model democracy. Terms such as “freedom” and the “American Dream” are frequently associated with the US.

Recent reports, however, indicate that the US has declined in its ranking on global corruption indices, falling to 29—a much lower position than many might expect. According to the Pew Research Center, 57% of people believed that the US used to be a good example of a democracy but has not been serving as a model recently, and 72% of Americans thought that the US was previously a good example for other countries to follow, but no longer is.

Free and fair elections are recognised as a fundamental element of democracy by the Democracy Web. The US conducts elections regularly in adherence to this principle. As a self-identified democracy, conducting free and fair elections is essential for maintaining legitimacy and public trust.

The Role of Election Commissions

How can elections be regulated and overseen to ensure that they uphold democratic principles and prevent corruption? Election Commissions play a crucial role in protecting and strengthening democratic systems.

These bodies ensure free and fair elections by organising, supervising, and monitoring electoral processes. Their functions help maintain political stability, public trust, and the legitimacy of government.

Election Commissions are composed of officials responsible for supervising all stages of an election. The primary purpose of these commissions is to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and freely. They accomplish this through a variety of measures, including:

  • Ensuring compliance with election laws
  • Providing guidance on electoral processes
  • Overseeing voter registration
  • Conducting elections
  • Educating the public on voting rights via campaigns and advertisements
  • Establishing comprehensive guidelines for managing voting methods, voter registration, and ballot design

Through these actions, Election Commissions promote fairness, integrity, and transparency within the electoral system.

Combating Electoral Fraud

Election Commissions combat fraud in multiple ways to maintain public confidence in election outcomes. Key strategies include:

  • Conducting random audits
  • Implementing biometric systems
  • Using verification solutions to confirm voter identity

To prevent and deter political candidates from engaging in fraud, Election Commissions also conduct public awareness campaigns that inform citizens about the consequences of electoral misconduct and provide mechanisms for reporting suspicious activity.

Handling Disputes

Election Commissions resolve disputes efficiently and appropriately, often through mediation or other structured processes.

While the structure and powers of Election Commissions vary across countries, all share a common goal: ensuring free and fair elections. In a world where integrity is sometimes lacking, Election Commissions provide prevention, accountability, and oversight over individuals who might prioritise personal gain over the public good.

References

  1. Top 10 Listing: Corruption Perception Index 2025–26, Indian Express, https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/corruption-perception-2025-26-top-bottom-10-10525816/
  2. What People Around the World Like and Dislike About American Society and Politics, Pew Research Center, 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/01/what-people-around-the-world-like-and-dislike-about-american-society-and-politics/
  3. Duncan Madden, US Drops to its Lowest Ranking in Global Corruption Perceptions Index, Forbes, 2026, https://www.forbes.com/sites/duncanmadden/2026/02/10/us-drops-to-its-lowest-ranking-in-global-corruption-perceptions-index/

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