{"id":940,"date":"2015-10-05T09:44:55","date_gmt":"2015-10-05T07:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/?p=940"},"modified":"2015-10-05T15:18:05","modified_gmt":"2015-10-05T13:18:05","slug":"tips-when-planning-elections-7-get-stakeholders-on-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/en\/election-management\/tips-when-planning-elections-7-get-stakeholders-on-board","title":{"rendered":"Tips when planning elections: #7 Get \u201cstakeholders\u201d on board"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are on the electoral management committee, there is no shortage of things to do. You will normally have to\u00a0plan meticulously, juggle a number of functions and keep a cool head. Sometimes it can be a problem if a lot of people are involved in the planning process. After all, too many cooks spoil the broth.<\/p>\n

To avoid situations like this it is advisable not only to appoint an election coordinator but also to set up an electoral committee that is responsible for all aspects of electoral planning, organisation and execution.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, you should inform all the key players (in advance) of every important measure that you are taking in the run-up to the election. Even if it involves extra time and effort, you should consider the needs and wishes of all those directly or indirectly affected by the election. If you do not, you may find yourself and others discussing matters of principle on the day of the election itself, which will torpedo the successful conduct of the ballot.<\/p>\n

So always safeguard yourself by getting all those involved on board \u2013 especially the \u201cstakeholders\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stakeholders and why they are important for elections<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are stakeholders?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cStakeholder\u201d is a buzzword that may require clarification:<\/p>\n

A \u201cstakeholder\u201d is someone who holds a stake in something, a person who has a specific interest in, or influence over, a particular project, process or result.<\/em><\/p>\n

A stakeholder does not need to be an individual. It can also be a group of people such as the neighbours or an environmental association. The board or committee of a group is also an important stakeholder in all decisions being taken in the association, for example.<\/p>\n

Who are these stakeholders?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anyone who has a justifiable interest in, or any kind of influence on, the impending election can be considered one or your stakeholders. Stakeholders might be\u00a0the individual candidates up for election<\/a><\/u>, the association\u2019s admin staff or management, or honorary members, patrons, friends and media representatives.<\/p>\n

How much effort should be put into getting stakeholders on board?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do not go to too much trouble, but make sure that each person is in possession of all necessary information in good time. There are a number of ways to achieve this:<\/p>\n