Chapter 3: Complaints Adjudication Training for Election Management Bodies and Political Parties Concepts of Free and Fair Elections – A basic introduction to the concepts of free and fair elections and standards for evaluating the extent to which elections meet these tests. Ethics in Election Administration – This session would examine the sources of ethical conduct and case studies of ethical dilemmas. This session also would ask participants to think about who the EMB stakeholders are and how to be accountable to them. Electoral Offenses – A review of pertinent articles of the Electoral Code. Handling Election Complaints – This session would provide an overview of the country’s complaint procedures and the steps of the electoral complaints adjudication process, including standing and burden of proof requirements, as well as timelines during the process. Sanctions and Penalties – This session would cover pertinent articles of the Electoral Code and discuss how EMBs can apply sanctions and penalties for various electoral offenses. Election Monitoring and Observation – This session would provide a brief discussion of the role observers and candidate agents play in the election process and their rights and responsibilities regarding the filing of complaints. Working with the Media – A short session on the media in the election process and how EMBs should handle media questions about their work. Working through Complaint Procedures – Detailed review of steps in the election complaints adjudication process, including the forms used in the process and how to fill them out. Media Complaints Process – If relevant, it is necessary to ensure that EMBs understand how complaints against media outlets (TV, radio and newspapers) are handled. Complaint Case Studies – EMB members are provided an actual complaint and have to work through the case study, including filling out all of the election commission forms. Election Day – An overview of the Election Day polling procedures and a chance to challenge EMBs to think about how they should handle complaints on Election Day. Questions and answers – This session provides an opportunity for a representative of the EMB to answer additional questions from the training. 145