Annual reporting and budgeting should be part of the parliamentary process. An independent election body is one that is structured in such a way as to be insulated from individuals, groups or institutions that have an interest in the outcome of the election. Well-respected individuals, usually named by the head of state or the parliament with the agreement of all parties, serve for a specified period of time ranging, usually, from three to seven years. Therefore, the trend is to include nominees of opposition parties in appropriate cases. Ideally, the term of office should be set so that it never coincides with an election.
Members invariably are academics, judges or other notable and respected individuals in the country.
The members will have no connection with any political party and will usually be prevented from having any political involvement by the legislation governing the formation of the commission. This way, the commission will be seen as being above any political interference and will be able to hold on to its independence. Strong leadership is important to maintain such independence, and a senior member of the judiciary may be ideal in the position of chair. The link to the judiciary should prevent interference from the government or opposition parties, but there is, of course, no guarantee of this independence. It is important that the commission be seen as independent by the voting public.