This is a distinct advantage of the National Electoral Commission. Reports are not just prepared at the end of the electoral process. This document would be of less interest to the average citizen but would be extremely useful to any participant in the electoral process whether a candidate, party member or electoral official. Information of this type is always of assistance in demonstrating the transparency and integrity of the electoral process and its publication is particularly important where public concerns are expressed or there is limited knowledge about the electoral process responsibilities. They are required to do this by provisions in the Australian Electoral Law Act of 1992 and the report is an excellent example of the Electoral Commissioner demonstrating to the candidates, electors and to the community at large exactly how the election was administered.
Some electoral systems identify staff specifically to investigate problems and resolve conflicts.
Electoral Law provides for Monitors to attend every polling site and their function is to watch what is going on and investigate problems and resolve conflicts. This is a way of separating the functioning of the poll site which in the South African system is the responsibility of the Presiding Officer from complaints and problems. The monitors also have a wider role in looking at issues such as political meetings, canvassing and advertising. The Monitors are specifically required to write full reports about the issues they get involved in. This is essential particularly if the issues are later the subject of challenges through the Courts.