impose a settlement, but attempts to assist the disputants in reaching consensus and agreement on a mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute. Member (of an EDRB or EMB) A person appointed or elected to serve on the body or committee which directs the conduct and implementation of the powers and functions of the EDRB or EMB. Mixed legislative-administrative EDR system A system that combines features of the administrative EDR and the legislative EDR systems, usually through stating that challenges are first heard by the administrative body, and subsequent challenges are heard by the legislative body in question. Observer A person accredited to witness and assess, but not intervene in, the proceedings of an electoral process. Offence A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act. Party registration The act of enrolling political parties to participate in elections on the basis of eligibility criteria and submitted signatures and deposits. Personation The fraudulent casting of the vote of a registered elector by another person by a person pretending to be the registered elector. Polling station (or polling site) A venue established for the purpose of polling and controlled by staff of the EMB. Also called a voting station. Punitive measure A punitive measure does not correct or annul the effect of an electoral irregularity. It punishes either the person who committed the violation or the person responsible for ensuring that the violation does not happen, through either the electoral administrative law, which imposes the sanctions, or the electoral criminal law. Recount A recalculation, in full or in part, of the votes cast in an election or direct democracy instrument. Registered voter An eligible voter inscribed on an official list or register of electors. Registration of political parties and candidates The act of reviewing the validity of applications to participate in an election by political parties and candidates and accepting those that meet defined criteria. Registration of voters The act of entering the names of eligible electors and other relevant information in a register or list of electors. Rule of law Rule of law generally entails equal protection of the human rights of individuals and groups as well as equal punishment under the law. It reigns over government and protects citizens against arbitrary state action, ensuring citizens are subject to the rule of law, not the arbitrary rule of men. It encompasses three institutions: the security or law enforcement institution, the court system and judiciary, and the correction system. The principle that law should ‘rule’ in the sense that it establishes a framework within which all conduct or behaviour takes place. 63