Independence

Electoral agencies:

·         must maintain the confidence of voters, candidates, political parties and Parliament in the integrity of the electoral process by being legally and in practice independent of all political parties and interest groups

·         are not subject to ministerial direction in carrying out their statutory functions, except as provided by law.

Neutrality

Electoral agencies:

·         carry out their statutory functions in a politically neutral and non-partisan manner

·         treat all voters, candidates and political parties fairly and impartially and in accordance with the law.

Service to voters, candidates and parties

Electoral agencies:

·         provide the highest quality electoral services to all voters, candidates and political parties in accordance with the law

·         provide electoral services to voters, candidates and political parties in ways which are as simple as possible, consistent with the law and minimise compliance costs

·         ensure that all sections of the community have ready access to the electoral process in accordance with their needs

·         provide an effective service to electors on the Mäori roll

·         make easily-understood information about the electoral process available to all sections of the community in accordance with their needs

·         respond promptly and accurately to requests for information about electoral matters

·         make information on their activities readily available to the public and the media

·         have transparent and fair procedures in place to deal promptly with complaints of impropriety.

Professionalism

Electoral agencies:

·         are committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in accordance with the law

·         carry out their statutory functions in a fair, accurate, secure and timely manner

·         ensure that their members and employees behave in their public and private lives in ways which are consistent with the highest standards of independence and political neutrality

·         keep electoral legislation under review and report to Parliament on desirable changes to electoral legislation

·         continually evaluate their provision of electoral services and their internal and external procedures to ensure they are in accordance with the law, are meeting users’ needs, are as simple, efficient and effective as possible, and use appropriate information technology

·         keep up to date with best international democratic electoral practice.

Responsibility and accountability

Electoral agencies:

·         make efficient and effective use of financial and other resources to carry out their statutory functions

·         have clear financial and operational responsibilities and accountabilities under appropriate governance structures

·         set budgets according to objectives and regularly measure performance against objectives

·         are subject to regular independent auditing of financial and operational performance

·         provide Parliament with comprehensive, accurate and timely reports on their activities, including their capacity to conduct electoral events and their conduct of electoral events.