3.2.3 Anti-fraud mechanisms to ensure the sincerity of the process The guarantee of the sincerity of the process, meaning the implementation of measure to help reduce the risks of electoral fraud and corruption, should also be a concern when an electoral commission is used to run elections. The establishment of special commissions to manage electoral processes in the region stems from the desire of all to increase the transparency and credibility of elections. Notwithstanding the various types of electoral commissions, they all have a key position in ensuring the sincerity of the electoral process and in the fight against electoral fraud and corruption. Indeed, whether it is simply a supervising institution or active in the management of elections, the commission will always have a position that enables it to contain the tendencies of the different actors of the process in general, but especially that of political actors towards electoral fraud. Electoral fraud and corruption are phenomena that are present in every political system that conducts elections. They occur in almost every democracy, though at a different level, in various forms and with different effects on the electoral process. In new democracies (such as those of the West Africa) characterized by weak institutions, (including those responsible for the fight against fraud and corruption) and a deficit in democratic culture, the phenomenon takes a particular dimension not only due to its magnitude but also due to its spread and manifestations as well as its disastrous consequences for democracy and for development in general. Therefore, electoral fraud ought to be fought at all cost. Electoral fraud and corruption must be prevented and fought against at various levels, but for the purpose of clarity, it has been divided 162