Election commissions operate at three levels: the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), district electoral commissions (DECs) and the polling station (or precinct) electoral commissions (PECs); of which there were 33,974 created for the 2007 pre-term parliamentary elections (excluding those opened for out-of-country voting). The formation and general powers of the CEC (a permanent body) are addressed in a separate law. There are no qualification requirements for members of DECs and PECs other than a requirement for the secretary to have a command of the state language sufficient to deal with the paperwork (Article 25.6). However, provisions do limit participation in a DEC to remove potential conflicts of interest (disallowing participation of parliamentary candidates, candidates proxies, members of local government, court employees, law enforcement, and other state employees) (Articles 25.3 and 25.4).
