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Legal Frameworks

Legal frameworks that are laid out in constitutions, electoral laws, and other laws and legally binding directives are essential to a smooth transition. Specifically, it is essential that legal frameworks define the length of the transition, allowing sufficient time for planning for the transfer of power; the roles and responsibilities of the permanent civil service in the preparatory process, emphasizing its impartial and process-oriented function; the timeline for completion of preparatory steps, especially briefing materials for the incoming executive; a process whereby the incoming executive and staff can have the resources and access to plan its entry into government in advance; rules for the management and handover of assets to include government-owned physical assets, as well as documentation produced while in public service; and in parliamentary systems, rules for decision-making while parliament is dissolved that acknowledge the principle of majority rule and limiting the actions of an outgoing administration.