Principle 1: Prompt Investigation laws, regulations, or policies.108 When setting time limits, investigative bodies must ensure sufficient time for collecting and reviewing evidence as well as for adjudicating the specific complaint.109 Finally, it is important to note that only the electoral remedy (e.g., election recount, audit, annulment, or re-run) is time-bound. Criminal convictions can proceed along a longer time horizon without impacting the granting of electoral remedies. Proving electoral irregularities according to the civil standard of proof (the balance of probabilities) or even a slightly higher intermediary standard can proceed much more expeditiously than proving—beyond reasonable doubt—that an accused individual has intentionally committed a criminal electoral offense. Triage mechanisms must, accordingly, have two separate investigation tracks: one for criminal investigation and prosecution, which can operate past the announcement deadlines for preliminary and final results, and one for investigating the merits of granting electoral remedies, which must be completed in time for the announcements of the results. Investigation of merits for granting electoral remedies, by EMB or EDR body Election Results Announcement Triage 108 Id. 109 Petit, supra note 104. Results Announcement Criminal Conviction or Acquital 53