Legislative transparency is also vital to building public confidence in the legislature as a representative and democratic institution. Domestic observers have a good understanding of the overall election context and are better equipped to make accurate assessments. Other factors that contribute to electoral transparency include access to voter lists and open Electoral Commission proceedings. In addition, the judiciary must be unbiased in order to process complaints fairly.
Good elections seek to engage all citizens in the political process.
Elections with low voter turnouts do not provide governments with the legitimacy they require. The public and political parties should play a part in developing, and should be educated about, laws governing electoral processes, including elections procedures and political party codes of conduct. Efforts should be made to conduct extensive voter education, particularly in isolated rural areas. Voter education should not start just a few months prior to elections, but should be incorporated into school curricula, and religious and social programs. Opposition parties must accept defeat under well-administered elections.