Election
observation has two main purposes: to assess the election against agreed or
accepted standards, and to provide a presence and visibility which will provide
fewer opportunities for irregularities and deter fraud. The first purpose can
be achieved with a limited number of observers, since conclusions may be drawn
from samples. The second objective is likely to require a much larger presence.
Election
observation can be carried out by domestic non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), or by intergovernmental organizations or international NGOs. While both
domestic and international observation can produce effective assessments of
elections, domestic observation is usually the only practical way to achieve
widespread presence and visibility. Domestic observation is thus—together with
the participation of the parties and the review of a critical press—the main
instrument for transparency in electoral processes.
Even if the electoral process has little or no credibility in the country
concerned, domestic observation can contribute to a long-term process of
improving the elections. In addition such observation may secure a good
electoral process beyond the point when elections have gained general
credibility.
Observation
reports have a number of targets. These include the domestic electorate and key
domestic stakeholders—legislators, the electoral management body (EMB),
political parties, the media and commentators. At the same time, donors,
intergovernmental organizations and the international public may also be
important audiences.
The checks
and balances in older democracies are normally taken care of either by
appointing representatives of political parties or candidates (party agents)
who may observe all parts of the process (which is carried out by independent
bureaucrats), or by ensuring that the staff of electoral bodies at all levels
are non-partisan, or at least represent a balance of political party
sympathies. In new democracies it has become common to allow civil society to
observe elections on a more neutral (non-partisan) basis and such practice may
prove useful even in older democracies. In addition, international
organizations such as the UN, the SADC, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the AU
and the EU, as well as governments and international NGOs, may be invited to
observe elections.
