Depending on the specific context in which an election takes place (e.g. post-conflict, post-transition), the process usually consists of several cost intensive sequences, such as voter education, voter registration and the actual polling. Hence, elections are often a very complex and extremely expensive undertaking. The amount, source, distribution and spending of national funds for elections influence the incentives and decisions of actors involved in electoral processes, as well as the sustainability of the process. Yet, both national and international partners currently lack a reference to determine what should be ‘reasonable’ costs for an election. In order to address this lack of comparative data, which undermines EMBs’, donors and technical assistance providers’ abilities to properly evaluate the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of electoral budgets, UNDP and IFES jointly initiated the CORE II initiative. The objective of the CORE II is to conduct comprehensive research and analysis of the current costs of electoral procedures and to develop an election cost database accessible to EMBs, donors and electoral practitioners.