It is recommended that the Election Code require single-mandate constituencies to be of equal or similar size and that it specifically address how electoral districts are to be organised as applicable to local, regional and parliamentary elections. The Code should provide the frequency, criteria, and degree of public participation for the organisation of election districts, as well as the ultimate authority for choosing the final plan for the districts. The electoral units should be drawn in such a way that each unit has approximately the same number of voters. An appropriate combination of these criteria is conceivable. The delineation does not preclude taking into consideration convenience and accessibility for voters, including the delineation of pre-existing administrative boundaries. The maximum admissible departure from the distribution criterion adopted should seldom exceed 10 per cent and never 15 per cent, except in very exceptional circumstances.[7] The Code should also specify under what circumstances the size of the electoral unit might deviate from the established criteria. Ideally, the Code should provide that the persons or institutions drawing electoral boundary units are to be neutral, independent and impartial. The law should also provide that the final decision be based on a transparent proposal with maximum public input and participation in the process of drawing of electoral units. The redrawing of boundaries must be performed well in advance of elections, and redrawing of boundaries before each election should be avoided, in order to avoid any risk of gerrymandering.
