Election Ombudsman (Fratanica)

The Election Ombudsman is a part of the Office of Election Ombudsman, which investigates electoral violations and ensures non-interference or intimidation in regards to national elections. The Election Ombudsman is appointed by the President with advice of the Prime Minister, and is uniquely accountable to the National Diet and the National Electoral Commission. The office itself was established on 15 October 1963, in response to voter intimidation and interference from the United Democratic Coalition. Today, the Election Ombudsman plays a key role in investigating alleged electoral malpractices and ensuring the independence of the election.

The current Election Ombudsman is Torren Blanche, who was approved by the National Assembly on 14 December 2020.

Responsibilities

The Election Ombudsman oversees all claims of parliamentary and presidential malpractice, as well as ensuring that national referendums truly reflect the voices of the people. While the Ombudsman does not have much practical authority, the Ombudsman can request from the National Electoral Commission the convention of a special electoral court known as an "electoral tribunal". This court is composed of a panel of 7 appellate judges, likely with election law expertise.

The Electoral Ombudsman also plays a ceremonial role. For federal elections and national referendums, the Electoral Ombudsman addresses the nation and receives priority television access. He announces the start and end of both federal elections and national referendums. This attests to the importance of ceremony in regards to government, despite the lack of a monarchy or cult of personality.