In: Holly Ann Garnett, and Toby S. James (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Integrity

This chapter summarizes the methods that international organizations use to advance the cause of
electoral integrity worldwide. We consider both election observation and technical election assistance
(capacity-building). We evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of these methods in improving election
quality and reducing election violence. We note that different actors have different areas of expertise and
different levels of legitimacy in recipient states, which can shape the degree of local cooperation and
“buy-in.” Finally, we consider how the rise of authoritarian global powers—led by China and Russia—
poses challenges to international electoral assistance. Developing countries face a more contested global
normative environment, and they can increasingly turn to nondemocratic sponsors for economic support
without any expectation or pressure to improve the integrity of their elections or invite potentially critical
international election assistance. We conclude with implications for policymakers. Despite the
challenging global context for election assistance at present, we identify a set of best practices and
domestic contexts which present windows of opportunity for international electoral assistance.

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