1.1.3 Qualifications required for becoming a member of electoral commissions In general, the conditions which must be fulfilled to become a member of an electoral commission are not excessively elaborate. The concern for qualifications is aimed at having people within the commissions who could guarantee neutrality or a balanced representation of political forces taking part in the electoral contest. It is remarkable that legal systems cover little of these conditions. The commission is instituted, the appointment and status of members mentioned, but nothing is said about the capacities of the members themselves. The conditions required to be a member of the electoral commission are in most of the countries formulated in''positive terms'' and only sometime in''negative terms''. The''positive'' formulation consists in stating that members of the commission must possess such and such qualities. These qualities are often integrity, probity, morality, neutrality and impartiality. This condition is for example expressly required in Benin, Guinea Conakry and Nigeria. On this note, the INEC in Niger and in Guinea Bissau are an exception since members of the body are not appointed by virtue of their individual positions as members representing institutions. The''negative'' formulation of conditions required to be member of the electoral commission consists in excluding people who have been 29