Look at Election Observation

Observing the electoral process is an important integrity safeguard. It is one of the checks-and-balances that protect the viability and honesty of election administration, as well as the participation of political parties, candidates and interest groups. In addition, observation promotes compliance with the legal framework and deters questionable activities and potential conflict. Public reporting by observers increases transparency and helps ensure election officers’ accountability. Further integrity issues related to observation and monitoring are discussed in the ACE Encyclopaedia Topic Area on Electoral Integrity.

Election observation can be carried out by political parties, local or national non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the media, individual voters, government auditor or agency, and international groups or organisations. It is common to distinguish between international  election observation and domestic election observation¹.

In addition, observation may be partisan (conducted by political parties) or non-partisan (conducted by national or international observation groups). Partisan observation focuses on protecting the interests of a particular candidate or party. It is important to have participation by observers from different political parties throughout the process in order to ensure that incidents detrimental to any of the parties or candidates is reported. Non-partisan observation is expected to be impartial and to provide objective reports. Since reporting on elections usually involves forming an opinion about the process, integrity in election observation is itself important.

Organisations carrying out observation missions can have different roles and mandates in terms of the level of intervention in the electoral process. In some cases a distinction is made between election observation, monitoring and supervision. 

To be effective, observation should cover the entire electoral process (the entire Electoral Cycle), not just some aspects such as voter registration or polling. Among other things, observers must examine:

• the appropriateness of the legal framework;
• the appropriateness of electoral procedures and preparations, including training of election staff;
• delimitation of electoral districts;
• elector registration;
• information and education programs;
• registration of political parties and candidates;
• freedom of assembly and movement;
• freedom from fear and intimidation;
• freedom of expression and equal access to the media;
• use of public resources for campaign purposes;
• activities on election day;
• vote counting and compilation of the results; and whether there are appropriate, impartial procedures for lodging complaints about election results, and legitimate and functioning procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms for resolving them.