The Five Principles of EURECS
Holistic
Elections do not occur in isolation. Their credibility depends on the broader democratic ecosystem in which they are organised. Political parties, electoral management bodies, parliaments, constitutional courts, civil society organisations, media, security institutions, traditional authorities, academia, regional organisations and citizens all contribute to the legitimacy of democratic processes. Supporting elections therefore requires strengthening the wider institutional environment within which they take place.
Long-Term
Democratic credibility cannot be built exclusively during electoral periods. Institutional resilience requires continuous engagement before, during and after elections. Long-term accompaniment allows countries to strengthen institutional memory, improve legal frameworks, develop professional capacities and progressively consolidate democratic practices across successive electoral cycles.
Larger in Scope
Many electoral crises are not primarily technical. They originate in political mistrust, institutional weakness, unresolved conflict, exclusion, polarisation or the absence of meaningful dialogue. Electoral support must therefore interact with democratic governance, conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding, constitutional reform, civic participation and institutional development.
Digital and AI-Aware
Technology is already transforming electoral processes across the world. Artificial intelligence, digital platforms, cybersecurity, biometric systems, digital public infrastructure and online information ecosystems increasingly influence democratic processes. The question is no longer whether elections will become digital.They already are. The challenge is ensuring that democratic institutions possess the leadership, governance capacity and technical expertise required to ensure that technology strengthens rather than weakens democracy.
Inclusive
Democracy ultimately depends upon trust, participation and representation. Women, young people, persons with disabilities, marginalised communities and local stakeholders must therefore be recognised as central actors in democratic development rather than beneficiaries of isolated interventions. Similarly, peer learning, South-South cooperation, leadership development and regional institutional cooperation are essential components of sustainable democratic governance.
Download the two versions of the EURECS publication 2016 and 2026:
