Chapter 1: International Standards International Standards in Electoral Dispute Resolution An important safeguard of election integrity lies in an effective resolution of complaints . . . the Electoral Process is not confined to the casting of votes on an election day and the subsequent declaration of election results thereafter. There are series of other processes, such as the demarcation of the country into constituencies, registration of qualified voters, registration of political parties, the organization of the whole polling system to manage and conduct the elections ending up with the declaration of results, and so on.7 - Lady Justice Georgina T. Wood, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana Throughout the past two decades, IFES has been dedicated to providing technical elections assistance to countries throughout the world. During this time, it has become clear that Lady Justice Wood is correct in her assertion: an effective resolution of complaints is integral to guaranteeing the integrity and legitimacy of an electoral system. In an effort to guide election administrators, implementers, donors, and election stakeholders to effectively resolve election complaints, IFES has identified seven principle standards in electoral complaint adjudication, based on international global practices. These standards stem from the widely recognized fundamental right to participate in government, and in return these standards serve as a method to protect and enforce this overarching right of participation. The human rights community identifies several human rights as inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and security and, most relevant for our purposes, the right to take part in government through fairly chosen representation. As the Inter Lady Justice Georgina T. Wood, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana, Foreword to Supreme Court of Ghana, Manual and Statutes on Elections Adjudicating in Ghana (2008) [hereinafter Ghana Manual], available at http://www.judicial.gov.gh/c.i/content/ forward.htm. 7 11