Sub-score (0-100). Question no. 20. In practice, appointments to the agency/agencies mandated to organize and monitor national elections support the independence of the agency/agencies.

A 100 score is earned where electoral officials are always chosen through merit-selection systems.

A 50 score is earned where electoral officials are generally chosen through merit-selection systems, but there are exceptions (e.g. sometimes candidates with less merit are selected over those with more merit).

A 0 score is earned where electoral officials are rarely chosen through merit-selection systems, or the selection system is so weak it can't guarantee candidates are appointed based on merit (e.g. no legal education is required, the President has discretion to decide who the top candidates are, etc.).