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.
