Lessons learned processes are a critically important tool that link electoral cycles to each other, where an electoral management body (EMB) evaluates the successes and shortcomings of a previous election with the input of electoral stakeholders. When done properly, lessons learned processes improve service delivery, enhance trust in the EMB and its institutional capacity, and improve relationships with stakeholders and the broader public. Despite the importance of these processes, there are no established guidelines for EMBs looking to improve their existing lessons learned processes or hold them for the first time.
These guidelines seek to fill that gap and are both by and for elections-related practitioners, particularly EMB staff and leadership. They are based on survey responses from EMBs in 57 countries and from 32 international experts. They reflect input from eight leading citizen observer groups, eight organizations that work with political parties, and four leading development partners. The guidelines incorporate collaboration with 15 organizations that work on elections, including multilateral agencies and EMB networks.