The Hierarchy of Laws: Understanding and Implementing the Legal Frameworks that Govern Elections number of gender and inclusivity-related objectives and the principles required to achieve them, like “[a]ll relevant laws, rules and directives for the election shall be improved and amended from the gender perspective.” Policies are not laws and therefore do not fall within the hierarchy. A policy is a statement of principle or a goal. A law is a set of rules to fulfill a policy by enforcing the principle and ensuring the goal is achieved. Who drafts policies? Policies are written by the authority that intends to apply them, but are not drafted in legislative terms. What is the source of a policy’s authority? Policies do not have authority in the sense that a law does. They serve to provide information and to build confidence that there will be an open and fair process. They also guide and inform the development and drafting of regulations and procedures. As confidence in the integrity of an election is the key to acceptance of the result, well written and well communicated policy statements are important. However, they are not laws. Who interprets and enforces policies? As a policy is a statement of principle or a goal, they are not subject to enforcement in the same way as the different levels of laws. The authority that issues a policy is responsible for internal adherence to the implementation of that policy. How are they changed? Policies can be changed at any time in the same manner as they are drafted. 19