3.1.3 Autonomy or independence of election commissions Whatever the type of institutional framework, the electoral commission's autonomy is one of the most important issues requiring resolution. This question deserves to be taken seriously if only for the simple reason that it is a very symbolic truth that all the West African countries(and often elsewhere in Africa) have found it necessary to qualify their electoral commissions as autonomous or independent. In most new democracies in the region, electoral commissions were motivated by the need for neutrality, impartiality and reduction of the consequences of an electoral administration that is dependent on political powers. It is clear that these goals are difficult to reconcile with any form of dependence of the committee vis-à-vis state institutions or political parties. By autonomy or independence of an electoral commission, we certainly do mean a complete freedom without any form of control. Independence, in this case, should not be confused with the right to freely dispose of public resources or to manipulate the electoral process without credible monitoring or accountability. Rather, it should be understood primarily as a kind of freedom of action and assessment of the expediency of action, which requires flexibility. For example, depending on the country and the circumstances, it might be useful and necessary that the procedures for public procurement are not always adhered to, that the procedures for the recruitment of public officials are not always met by the Commission in the selection of its officers, etc. Maintaining an appropriate level of autonomy could largely depend on precautions that are taken, for example: 121