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Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy (SSD)
Strengthening Democracy in the Hemisphere
Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation
Quality Management and Certification Against ISO standards
The implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) allows organizations in both the public and private sectors to meet both domestic and international standards that substantially improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. Key benefits to such implementation include: the improvement of processes and procedures, management of information in the decision making process, and the shift to an organizational culture focused on continuous improvement. The SFD provides technical support to electoral bodies in the implementation of quality management systems and certification against ISO standards.
The International Electoral Accreditation Body (IEAB)
The International Electoral Accreditation Body (IEAB) founded in 2014 by the Organization of American States (OAS), within the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy, is responsible for management, coordination and delivery of electoral accreditation services. The IEAB objective is to promote transparency and quality in the electoral processes by supporting the certification of election management bodies by ensuring that electoral-body certifications are carried out by highly qualified professional certification bodies in an impartial manner that generates public confidence.
ISO Standards
The IEAB supports the certification of election management bodies against international electoral standards such as ISO/TS 54001:2019: “Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015 for electoral organizations at all levels of government.”
ISO/TS 54001:2019 can be implemented in electoral organizations at all levels of government.
The objective of ISO/TS 54001 is to strengthen the mechanisms for full and inclusive citizen participation, as well as to be prepared when facing threats in the electoral process such as cyber-attacks or other technological incidents. Likewise, the mission of ISO/TS 54001 is to ensure that the electoral process can provide citizens, candidates and political organizations with more reliable, transparent, free and fair services.
Why Become Certified
Certification against ISO standards has demonstrably positive effects on electoral administration, allowing electoral bodies to deliver electoral services that better meet the expectations of voters, candidates, and political organizations. Certification helps electoral bodies generate more transparent and efficient electoral processes, thereby promoting credibility and public trust in the institution.
Electoral bodies on a global level work with the IEAB to obtain certification against ISO standards, based on comprehensive audits carried out by third-party conformance assessment bodies (CAB's). The IEAB ensures that the certifications issued against electoral standards enjoy the highest levels of integrity and credibility in the eyes of the public. The IEAB partners electoral bodies with accredited conformance assessment bodies that implement standardized assessment processes, procedures and support materials during electoral-body certifications.
Electoral bodies wishing to be assessed should contact an IEAB accredited organization to arrange the assessment event.
The IEAB supports electoral-body certifications in the following ways:
Certified institutions
The International Electoral Accreditation Body (IEAB)
The International Electoral Accreditation Body (IEAB) founded in 2014 by the Organization of American States (OAS), within the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy, is responsible for management, coordination and delivery of electoral accreditation services. The IEAB objective is to promote transparency and quality in the electoral processes by supporting the certification of election management bodies by ensuring that electoral-body certifications are carried out by highly qualified professional certification bodies in an impartial manner that generates public confidence.
ISO Standards
The IEAB supports the certification of election management bodies against international electoral standards such as ISO/TS 54001:2019: “Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015 for electoral organizations at all levels of government.”
ISO/TS 54001:2019 can be implemented in electoral organizations at all levels of government.
The objective of ISO/TS 54001 is to strengthen the mechanisms for full and inclusive citizen participation, as well as to be prepared when facing threats in the electoral process such as cyber-attacks or other technological incidents. Likewise, the mission of ISO/TS 54001 is to ensure that the electoral process can provide citizens, candidates and political organizations with more reliable, transparent, free and fair services.
Why Become Certified
Certification against ISO standards has demonstrably positive effects on electoral administration, allowing electoral bodies to deliver electoral services that better meet the expectations of voters, candidates, and political organizations. Certification helps electoral bodies generate more transparent and efficient electoral processes, thereby promoting credibility and public trust in the institution.
Electoral bodies on a global level work with the IEAB to obtain certification against ISO standards, based on comprehensive audits carried out by third-party conformance assessment bodies (CAB's). The IEAB ensures that the certifications issued against electoral standards enjoy the highest levels of integrity and credibility in the eyes of the public. The IEAB partners electoral bodies with accredited conformance assessment bodies that implement standardized assessment processes, procedures and support materials during electoral-body certifications.
Electoral bodies wishing to be assessed should contact an IEAB accredited organization to arrange the assessment event.
The IEAB supports electoral-body certifications in the following ways:
- Granting accreditations to CAB's that perform certification assessments of electoral bodies against ISO/TS 54001 and other electoral standards.
- Maintaining and enforcing assessment processes, procedures and support materials that accredited institutions must follow for performing electoral-body certifications.
- Making approval decisions based on the review of certification decisions and reports submitted by CAB's.
- Granting authorizations to professionals who seek to lead IEAB-sanctioned certification assessments and deliver IEAB-licensed training courses.
- Provide training courses for auditors and CAB personnel in ISO electoral standards.
- Delivering IEAB training courses to other interested parties.
Certified institutions
Ongoing projects
Reunión de información y familiarización con la norma ISO/TS 54001:2019 entre especialistas del IEAB y magistrados del Tribunal Supremo Electoral de Guatemala.
Fecha: Julio 2021
Técnicos de la OEA inician un levantamiento de información en la JCE, con miras a la preparación de un diagnóstico que servirá de referencia a la institución para lograr cuatro certificaciones de las normas ISO, para promover la calidad de los procesos electorales
Fecha: Abril 2021
Curso Virtual: Fundamentos de la ISO 54001
Participan funcionarios electorales de 9 países en Curso virtual sobre los Fundamentos de la ISO 54001, organizado por el IEAB en colaboración con INLAC.
Fecha: Marzo 2021
Fecha: Julio 2021
Técnicos de la OEA inician un levantamiento de información en la JCE, con miras a la preparación de un diagnóstico que servirá de referencia a la institución para lograr cuatro certificaciones de las normas ISO, para promover la calidad de los procesos electorales
Fecha: Abril 2021
Curso Virtual: Fundamentos de la ISO 54001
Participan funcionarios electorales de 9 países en Curso virtual sobre los Fundamentos de la ISO 54001, organizado por el IEAB en colaboración con INLAC.
Fecha: Marzo 2021
Projects Implemented
Diagnostic of Feasibility of Implementing an Electoral Quality Management System (ISO/TS 17582) in the National Office of Electoral Processes in Peru
Estimated Duration: July 2013 to August 2013.
Partner: National Office of Electoral Processes of Peru
Donor: Spain
Implementation of an Electoral Quality Management System (ISO 9001, ISO/DIS 17582) in the Central Electoral Board of the Dominican Republic
Estimated Duration: June 2012 to February 2014
Counterpart: Central Electoral Board of the Dominican Republic
Donor: Canada and Spain
Implementation of an Electoral Quality Management System of (ISO 9001: 2008) in the National Electoral Board of Peru
Estimated Duration: October 2009 to December 2011
Partner: National Electoral Board
Donor: Canada
Estimated Duration: July 2013 to August 2013.
Partner: National Office of Electoral Processes of Peru
Donor: Spain
In July 2013, DECO initiated a diagnostic for the implementation of an electoral quality management system in the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE). The assessment involved a series of meetings with the different areas and officials of the institution to identify the gaps between current practice and the requirements of the standard. In October 2013, the OAS team presented the results of the diagnostic to the head of ONPE, Dr. Mariano Espinoza Cucho, the press and various officials of the organization. It was concluded that certification under ISO electoral will be viable within 4-6 months from the beginning of the implementation phase. The office is currently pursuing an independent implementation of the system.
Implementation of an Electoral Quality Management System (ISO 9001, ISO/DIS 17582) in the Central Electoral Board of the Dominican Republic
Estimated Duration: June 2012 to February 2014
Counterpart: Central Electoral Board of the Dominican Republic
Donor: Canada and Spain
DECO accompanied the Central Electoral Board (JCE) in its certification under ISO 9001 and the draft electoral standard, ISO / DIS 17582. The certification was applicable to certain processes: electoral registration and certification; recognition of political parties; electoral logistics; the voting process; vote counting; electoral education and the National School of Electoral Training and Civil Status (EFEC), among others.
In July 2012, an assessment was conducted to identify compliance gaps between JCE processes and the requirements of ISO/DIS 17582 and ISO 9001. Based on the results of this diagnostic, the OAS/DECO team designed an implementation and certification plan.
In February 2014, the JCE received certification against ISO/DIS 17582 and ISO 9001. Implementing the system of electoral quality management within the JCE will allow the organization to more adequately meet the expectations of voters, candidates and political organizations.
In July 2012, an assessment was conducted to identify compliance gaps between JCE processes and the requirements of ISO/DIS 17582 and ISO 9001. Based on the results of this diagnostic, the OAS/DECO team designed an implementation and certification plan.
In February 2014, the JCE received certification against ISO/DIS 17582 and ISO 9001. Implementing the system of electoral quality management within the JCE will allow the organization to more adequately meet the expectations of voters, candidates and political organizations.
Implementation of an Electoral Quality Management System of (ISO 9001: 2008) in the National Electoral Board of Peru
Estimated Duration: October 2009 to December 2011
Partner: National Electoral Board
Donor: Canada
DECO provided technical cooperation to the National Electoral Board in the implementation of ISO 9001: 2008 in the following substantive processes: audit processes, citizen services, civic education, citizen registration, and the regulation of political organizations. The implementation also covered the following support processes: logistics, human resources and records, statistical and technological development, and planning, among others. The implementation of a quality management system within the National Electoral Board has not only allowed the electoral body to improve its services but also to identify which functions could be performed by third-parties to improve efficiency. The JNE obtained certification in December 2011.
Strengthening the Electoral Process and Registration Systems in the Electoral Tribunal of Panama: Implementation of a Quality Management System
Estimated Duration: January 2008 to May 2011
Counterpart: Electoral Tribunal of Panama
Donor: Spanish Agency for International Cooperation
DECO provided cooperation to the Electoral Tribunal of Panama (TE) in the process of implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of ISO standards. The QMS was applied to four key areas of the electoral body: Civil Registry, Distribution of Identity Cards, Electoral Organization, and Information Technology. The process culminated in May 2010 with certification against ISO 9001:2008, making the Electoral Tribunal of Panama the first national electoral body in the region to obtain certification for the implementation of a QMS.
Implementing a Quality Management System in the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica
Estimated Duration: June 2009 to February 2010
Counterpart: Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica
Donor: Canada
The OAS provided accompaniment to the Electoral Tribunal (TE) of Costa Rica in a diagnostic of the feasibility of implementing a Quality Management System applicable to two of its key processes: Civil Registry and the Electoral Process. The diagnostic identified the key requirements of ISO 9001 and the actions required to meet these requirements in the TE. The product of this technical cooperation was an implementation feasibility study, a gap analysis, a detailed work plan, and an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).
Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation
1889 F St., N.W.Washington, D.C., 20006
E-mail: deco@oas.org
Phone: (202) 370-4526
Fax: (202) 458-6250